Dr. Karl W. Martin

Karl William Martin (1951-2025) passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025, surrounded by family, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Karl was born May 2, 1951 in Providence, Rhode Island. A big guy from a small state, his love of RI, and the ocean that surrounds it, was an essential part of his life. Karl attended elementary school in Buffalo and secondary school in Baltimore before attending Westminster College, where he attained both an undergraduate degree in Art Education and a Masters in Art Education. Karl continued his graduate studies at Kent State University, earning two additional Masters Degrees, while teaching visual arts. As a practicing artist, he studied sculpture, figurative painting, abstract painting and neon art. Later in his career he came to prefer painting pastel landscapes.

As a teacher and a mentor in Kent City Schools for 36 years, he inspired thousands of students who studied art with him, because of his unique ability to connect with every student. While teaching he often played guitar, dressed in character, and occasionally did a round house kick in the classroom, but most importantly, he built strong bonds with students, even students who struggled, by believing in them and their natural abilities. Karl was loved and respected by students and colleagues and took initiative to provide people with resources and support. Kent City Schools is also where he met the love of his life, Michelle. Karl and Michelle married in 1986 in Kent, Ohio, where they raised their son, Zach, and his stepdaughter, Trichelle. Karl did much of the design and building of their home in Twin Lakes, and loved working on father/son projects there. As a family they traveled the US and the world, making many beautiful memories.

After retirement, Karl returned to Kent State where he earned his PhD in Curriculum Studies in 2018 and became an adjunct professor of undergraduate and graduate studies at KSU in the school of Teaching Learning and Curriculum Studies. Karl’s research focused on theory, particularly the ‘currere’ method, an autobiographical approach. He authored journal articles and a book titled “Currere and Psychoanalytic Guided Regression: Revisiting the KSU Shootings”, published by Routeledge in 2024. He was honored to participate in an international faculty exchange with South Korea in May 2024 commemorating the Gwangju Uprising, visiting and presenting his work, and drawing parallels to the KSU events.

Karl loved life, was always on the go, and accomplished so much. However, the most important thing to him was knowing and helping people. He was known for his warm personality, his tenacity, and physical strength. He was a lifeguard, competitive runner, 5th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, and swam every day. He was a gifted musician who mastered several instruments, playing and collecting guitars most of all. Over his life, he played, performed and published music with friends and collaborators.

Karl was thoughtful, kind, humble and modest. He loved people and helping others. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Karl was preceded in death by his parents, J. William and Carol Martin, and Dave Patterson, an uncle who was like a brother. Karl is survived by his wife Michelle, his son Zachary, his stepdaughter, Trichelle Henry, and her two sons, Daniel and Dylan Rais.

Visitation will be FRIDAY, April 3, 2026 from 4:00-7:00PM at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240. A Memorial Service will be held on SATURDAY, April 4, 2026 at 11:00AM at the funeral home.

Services in the care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.