Dr. Harold Martin, Md

Dr. Harold Martin passed away on May 24th, 2022, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born on May 12th, 1935 and grew up in Hannibal, MO. As a child he loved playing the piano, and competing in speech and debate; he excelled at both. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Culver-Stockton College where he worked as a janitor and ran the student union. He received his Doctorate of Medicine at the University of Missouri Medical School where he was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Society. He completed an internship in Albuquerque, NM and a pediatric residency in Columbia, MO, followed by 3 years of active service in the US Air Force at the Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, AK as a pediatrician from 1963-1966.

Following a fellowship in Developmental Disabilities at University of Colorado School of Medicine, Dr. Martin was the training director of the JFK Child Development Center from 1968-1982. While working as a developmental pediatrician, his research and clinical interests were focused on working with abused children. Among several published works, Dr. Martin published the first book describing the consequences of physical abuse on children.

Dr. Martin’s interest in behavioral medicine and neurology prompted him to undertake a second residency in psychiatry at the University of Colorado from 1982-1985. He then remained on the faculty as an Associate Professor, splitting time between the University and the VA Hospital. He particularly enjoyed working with AIDS patients, and he later specialized in helping Veterans with combat PTSD. He worked at the VA for over 30 years and cared deeply for his patients.

Family and friends were of immense importance to Dr. Martin. He relished socializing and was humorous, witty, and playfully provocative. He had a passion for education and was deeply empathic. He was an annual season ticket holder with the Colorado Symphony and a regular and excellent bridge player. He had been a runner, skier, and mountain climber. He loved watching tennis, and was a voracious reader of both history and fiction.

Dr. Martin is survived by his four children Marcus Martin (Stephanie), Lyn Caroli (Richard), Parker Martin (Jessica), Dr. Rachel Martin, his older brother Dr. James Martin (Jane Ann), four grandchildren and two great grandchildren, his good friend and former wife Dr. Carolyn Tank, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his older sister Marjorie Fox (George), his former wife Dolores Martin, and his best friend Dr. William Wahle (Janice).

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dr. Martin’s honor to the Colorado Symphony.

Celebration of Life will be at 2:00pm on Friday, July 22 from the chapel of Horan & McConaty-Aurora followed by a reception in the Heartlight Center.

Livestreaming of the service can be found at the following link: https://bxcited.com/dr-harold-parker-martin-md/