Franklin & Marshall College

Paul Pletcher Martin as born and raised in Lancaster. Hegraduated from Lancaster High School in 1932 and, after working fora period, enrolled at Franklin & Marshall College. He graduatedin 1937 with majors in German, English, Social Studies, and Greek.An outstanding high school athlete, Martin distinguished himself asa member of the F&M basketball team that won the EasternPennsylvania Collegiate Basketball League championship in 1936 and1937. At a time when games scores were in the 30s, Martin was knownfor his defensive prowess and timely scoring.

Teammates on those teams included legendary S. Woodrow Sponaugleand Paul Wenrich, both F&M Sports Hall of Fame members.Following graduation, Martin played softball as a first basemanwith the Hamilton Watch team that won three state championships andfour national championships. The Washington Senators offered him aprofessional baseball contract based on his softball talents. Hetaught German and English at the Hershey Industrial School between1937 and 1943 while he worked on his master's degree from theUniversity of Pennsylvania.

From 1943 to 1946, he served with Army Intelligence in Londonand Berlin translating war documents. Martin returned to F&M in1946 to start a teaching career that would last 32 years. A belovedcommitted professor, Martin was very active in all aspects ofcollege and community life. He passed away in 1978 after spendingmost of his life in Lancaster, doing what he wanted--teaching andimpacting the lives of students.