Martin was a great friend, highly intelligent, and a terrific athlete. Trying to beat him in tennis was, for me at least, a lost cause. I was away at college when told of his illness, and heartbroken when I heard he had died. I still think of Martin as one of my closest friends in our class. Martin's life reminds me that our lives don't have to be long to be significant.

Martin Kohler and I went to Whitman College together. He was charming, gentle, quiet, and brilliant. He became ill during our freshman year, and died before our sophomore year. It is so hard to believe that almost 49 years have passed, and I've thought about him often over the years.

I remember Martin Kohler who liked math and science and went off to Whitman College. I still remember our study group with Dick Stucky, Martin and myself to ace Mr. Stucky's calculus class.

For Marty We wonder why... Why such a kind, brilliant and good person is no longer here. Why he left his family. Why he left his friends who admired and loved him so. Taken from us by hidden forces. Taken so soon. Perhaps he is still there Swinging down 65th, Shyly trying to play his guitar..