The Class lost Tom Martin, an authentic, driven, and charismatic friend with a roaring laugh, on March 4, 2020. He came to Princeton from Mercer Island (Wash.) High School, where he was football captain and recognized as a Scholar Athlete by the National Football Foundation. Recruited to play football, Tom became a starting middle-linebacker at Princeton. He was deeply motivated and disciplined, majoring in biology, with pre-med intentions.

Tom will be remembered for his passion for life, lively sense of humor, and intense work ethic, as well as for his fun-loving nature and unpretentious authenticity. His infectious laughter and quick sense of humor (especially at his own jokes) entertained his friends, making everyone laugh and smile. In the course of a day, Tom would stop Harvard running backs on the Palmer Stadium gridiron as the Tiger’s middle linebacker; would discourse over a postgame beverage about the football game, organic chemistry and philosophical ideas; and then, on the slow late-night stroll from Prospect Street to Dod Hall, would serenade everyone within earshot to “Nights in White Satin.” Tom also mounted a serious, but ultimately unsuccessful campaign to be senior class president.

Upon graduation from Princeton, Tom returned to Seattle to earn his Ph.D. at the University of Washington. He and Sally Bianco, the love of his life, were married in 1978. The next year, Tom and Sally moved to St. Louis, where he attended medical school at St. Louis University. He completed his residency and then a fellowship in hematopathology at Washington University in St. Louis before becoming a tenured associate professor at St. Louis University Medical School. The two Martin children, Matthew and Alyssa, were born during the family’s 14 years in St. Louis.

In 1993 Tom and his family returned to Seattle, settling on Mercer Island. He entered private practice, setting up the first flow cytometry lab in Tacoma and becoming the managing partner of a successful pathology group. Tom remained fully engaged and passionate about his various pursuits. Later in life, his passions turned to cycling, crabbing, dining out with friends, and life at their cabin on Camano Island. He adored his family, and they enjoyed vacations and holidays together. Tom’s laughter, bright smile, and love of friends and family live on. In addition, he leaves behind the many Princeton friends who miss him but remember him with a big smile and fond memories.

Undergraduate Class of 1975