In Memoriam: Charles “Chuck” V. Martin

Charles “Chuck” V. Martin, an assistant equipment manager in Middlebury Athletics for more than two decades, died March 1, 2026, at the age of 93 at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester. He was well known in the local community as a longtime teacher and coach and later for his dedicated service to the College’s athletic programs.

Martin joined the College in August 1987 as assistant equipment manager and remained in the role for 22 years until his retirement in June 2009. Erin Quinn ’86, director of Athletics, said Martin excelled at his job and was deeply committed to the success of the department’s programs. “He brought a sense of humor and love of sports to his role, which contributed to the strong culture of service in the equipment room,” said Quinn.

Born in Burlington in 1932, Martin was the third of eight children. He graduated from Burlington High School, where he was a standout athlete in baseball, football, and basketball. After high school, he spent four years in the U.S. Air Force, earning the rank of staff sergeant, and later served in the Air National Guard and Marine Corps Reserves. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Johnson State College (now Vermont State University), where he played basketball and soccer, and later earned a master’s degree from Syracuse University.

In 1962, Martin began teaching math and science at Middlebury Junior/Senior High School, where he remained for 25 years. He also served as a seventh-grade advisor, head baseball coach, and assistant coach for football and basketball. In 2019, he was inducted into the Middlebury Union High School Hall of Fame.

Shelley Payne, equipment manager, remembers Martin as a science teacher during her middle school years and got to know him when she started working at the College in 1995 as an equipment room assistant. “I was lucky enough to learn from him after joining Middlebury in my early 20s,” said Payne. “Chuck was a quintessential child of the Depression Era and brought a work ethic and efficiency that will be forever ingrained in me. I am grateful to Chuck for all his wisdom and valuable life lessons, and will remember him as one of the most authentic and humble humans I have ever known.”

Bryan Merrill, who retired in 2025 after 38 years in the equipment room, said Martin taught him a great deal about athletics and served as a valued mentor. “When I first stepped into the equipment room manager’s position, I had the honor of working with Chuck,” Merrill recalled. “He was a hardworking man with tremendous experience and knowledge in athletics. His patience, sense of humor, and work ethic were qualities I deeply admired.”

Martin is survived by his sisters, Mary Usher of Middletown, Delaware, and Colleen Steen of Fairfax, Vermont; the children of his longtime partner, Gail Jette, who died in 2023—Peter Jette and his wife, Victoria, of Middlebury, and Brooke Jette of Middlebury—and their children; and many nieces and nephews.

At Martin’s request, no memorial service will be held. His family welcomes memories and reflections shared in the online guest book. Those wishing to honor his memory can plant trees in his name through the Sympathy Store.