Lois Shelton created the following summary of Marty’s life:

Marty Campbell was born in Oakland, CA where his father was teaching Psychology at UC Berkeley. His mother had attended the Chicago Art Institute prior to their marriage. Marty's older brother, Tom, was married when Marty was at ETHS. and lived in a Chicago suburb.

I recall that Marty was on the ETHS basketball team.

Marty graduated from the University of Chicago, studying Math and Science.  As a conscientious objector he worked in a hospital in Indiana and made friends with people who later moved to Seattle; and he eventually joined them.

For years, Marty lived on St Croix, US Virgin Islands and taught Math at the Junior College. He wrote poetry and published a book called Senya about his friend who was also a poet and musician.

Marty eventually moved back to Evanston, IL to help his mother who was having aging issues; and he helped settle the estate when she passed.

Marty also earned 2 Masters degrees.  The first, early in his adult life, a Math/Teaching Certificate, and the second, later in life, a UCSF degree for Creative Writing / Literature.

Marty loved to travel and be in various communities that were like-minded, adding energy and care wherever he went. He had a delightful sense of humor, continued writing and shared his energy and joy for life with all he met.

He will be greatly missed since his passing in January, 2025 in New Mexico. 

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The following additional information was provided by Marty’s friend, Jose Antonio Torres:

Marty has passed on. Official declaration at 5:33 am on January 1.

Hope everyone is well, considering the circumstances. All day yesterday Marty received calls from loved one’s so that they could tell him how much they love him and what he has meant to them. There was poetry, music, dancing, shared stories, laughter and love. It was truly all Marty could ever want. He was responding to us by wiggling his feet to let us know he was with us and enjoying what was transpiring. He was peaceful when he passed. 

Love and blessings to all of you in your grief and in your joy in remembering one of the most unique, loving, kind, creative, present, peaceful (and sometimes ornery and stubborn) humans we could have and will possibly ever have the honor in experiencing this life with. Anyone who knows him knows his greatest joy was your company, his greatest joy was you. And he would follow you on whatever adventure you took him on with open heart and mind, embracing you in your experience of life. He was the ultimate unicorn. We will miss him dearly. 

As I and my fantastic support system in Las Cruces for the past couple of days (Susan, Wink and Nick) gather ourselves this morning in preparation for the next steps, I want y’all to know how much I appreciate each and every one of you. Though I may only know some of you through Marty’s wondrous stories, I feel like I know you in knowing him. 

Marty will be donating his organs, then will be cremated here in Las Cruces. A celebration of life ceremony will take place in the coming week or two, as I have to take care of things at Marty’s home in Silver City before heading back to my home in Aptos, California, which is where the celebration will take place and where, amongst the redwoods, some of our dear friend will rest with his tall green brothers — the trees. I will be offering ashes to the trees at Marty’s peripatetic homes: The Farm in Tennessee, Mimbres, and The Farm in Olalla, Washington. Also, I would like to extend the offer of ashes to those who know the places Marty loved to hike and be with you. Let’s spread him around as he did of himself. Please request ashes if you wish to participate in this ritual of bringing Marty home, everywhere he made a home. More details coming soon. 

As all beginnings come to ends, so must all ends bring new beginnings.