
Vernon "Vern" Martin
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Vernon "Vern" Martin, 94, died on January 11, 2024 at his home of Covenant Living in Keene, previously "Vern" lived at The Woodward from 2008 to 2019 and his final private residence was at 24 Russell Street in Keene until 2008.
Born in Guthrie, OK on December 15, 1929, Vernon was the head of the Art and Music Dept. at Hartford (CT) Public Library and chair of that city's Cultural Affairs Commission for nineteen years. Previously he had served in the libraries of Morningside College, University of North Texas and Columbia University, and was among the young librarians who opened the Library of Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. On December 30, 1993, he retired and spent 2 years as a volunteer at the Hartford Conservatory of Music. He was a pianist-composer and a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). His chamber operas have been performed by the After Dinner Opera Company. Carl Fischer, Inc. of New York City publishes his works. His last composition efforts included setting a score for the Gettysburg Address, which remained in process at the time of his death.
He arrived in Keene in June 1996 with his wife Elizabeth Chapin and together they founded a new Quaker Meeting. He sang with the Keene Chorale and Raylynmor Opera Company.
Central to his life was his membership in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), where he specialized in counseling young conscientious objectors to military service. This sprang from his experience as an 18-year-old volunteer in the US Navy. After one stormy year, he left the service, joined the Quakers, and vowed to oppose war and militarism for the rest of his life. He was active as a member of the War Resisters' League, The Fellowship of Reconciliation, The Inter-religious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors, the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, The Veterans Education Project, and the National Peace Institute Foundation.
He considered the cap of his career his appointment as Clerk of Hartford Quaker Meeting in West Hartford CT during the Persian Gulf War. For the New England Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, he served as the clerk for the Mosher Book and Tract Committee.
His first marriage, to concert pianist and violinist Arlan Stone ended in divorce in 1977. His second marriage to Elizabeth Chapin began on June 16, 1979, ending with her death in 2012. He is survived by 2 sons from his first marriage, Vernon Martin 3rd of Los Angeles, CA, Jeffrey Martin of Rockville MD, step-daughter Amy Chapin Hathaway of Keene NH, brother Jack D. Martin of Hendersonville, NC and sister Kathleen Martin Sneed of Warner Robins, GA. Grandchildren are Dale Fan Martin, Tiana Hathaway Withers, and Dylan Hathaway Withers.
A Quaker Memorial Meeting and Celebration will take place Sunday, June 16, 2024 which commemorates his wedding anniversary with Elizabeth Chapin. In leau of flowers donations can be made to the Keene Friends Meeting or to the American Friends Service Committee in Concord, NH.
