Edward Albert Martin Jr.

Edward Albert Martin Jr., known to many simply as Ed, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 7, 2026, in Dayton, Ohio. He was born on February 12, 1938, in Long Island, New York, and lived a life marked by intellect, humor, devotion, and deep love for those closest to him.

Ed built a distinguished academic and professional path. He graduated from Virginia Military Institute with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1960, went on to earn a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University in 1971, and received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from The Ohio State University in 1985. His work reflected both rigor and purpose. At Wright Patterson Air Force Base, he worked in scientific and technical problem solving and led a United States Air Force study team investigating human-system integration until his retirement in 2008.

He also served his country in the United States Army as a Unit Commander in the Field Artillery. That spirit of discipline and service remained part of him throughout his life, balanced by a warmth and playfulness that made him unforgettable to the people who knew him best.

Ed was funny, kind, loving, spunky, witty, and gentle. He could be goofy one moment and serious the next, a jokester and prankster whose sense of fun brightened the lives around him. He loved photography and seemed always to have a camera in his hand, ready to capture a moment worth remembering. He enjoyed traveling, mowing the lawn, Indy Car racing, canoeing, swimming, and taking walks. Whether in motion, in conversation, or behind the lens, he brought curiosity and energy to the world around him.

Of all he achieved, his family stood as his proudest accomplishment. He is survived by his daughter, Erika (John) Swogger. He also leaves behind his granddaughters, Karen Swogger and Cheyenne (Mike Carey) Warman, and his great-grandchildren Ivy, Rein, Benson, Sasha, and Jameson, who carry forward his family’s story and the love he gave so freely. He is also survived by his sisters, Virginia Martin, and Rochelle (Bill Marquette) Martin. The circle of his family was a source of abiding pride and joy, and his presence within it will be missed beyond measure.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ingrid; his father, Edward Martin; his mother, Agnes Martin; and his sister, Donna Bendo. Their memories remained part of the life he carried with him.

Visitation will be held on November 16, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, Beavercreek, 3380 Dayton Xenia Road, Beavercreek, Ohio 45432. A funeral service will be held there on November 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Ed's memory to Day City Hospice. 

To view the livestream of Ed's service please click here. 

Ed will be remembered for his sharp mind, his generous heart, his ready humor, and the steady love he gave to his family. In the many images he captured, in the laughter he sparked, and in the lives he shaped, his memory will endure.