With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Mike W. Martin, a distinguished scholar, writer and professor, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. Mike passed away on April 22, 2024, leaving behind a profound legacy of scholarship, ethical inquiry, generosity and enduring love. He is survived by his wife Shannon, daughters Sonia (Gus) and Nicole (Rafa), grandsons Jesse and Dylan, brothers Rawlin (Jolene) and Mel (Paula), and many nieces and nephews.
Mike had an insatiable love of learning, passion for intellectual pursuit, and commitment to freedom of thought. He earned his B.A. and M.A. from University of Utah, followed by his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of California at Irvine in 1977. His prolific academic career spanned four decades.
As a revered faculty member at Chapman University, Mike played a pivotal role in shaping the academic landscape while serving as Professor of Philosophy, Chair of the Department of Philosophy, Faculty Senator, as well as chair and member of various Chapman Committees. His commitment to independent thought and excellence in academia was unwavering, earning him accolades and honors throughout his career.
Mike's scholarly contributions were wide-ranging and impactful, encompassing the fields of ethics, morality, love and happiness. His groundbreaking works, including "Ethics in Engineering," "Self-Deception and Morality," "Everyday Morality: An Introduction to Applied Ethics," "Love's Virtues," and "Happiness and the Good Life," reshaped the discourse surrounding personal and professional ethics, challenging readers to reflect on the nature of morality and humanity. Beyond his academic pursuits, Mike was a cherished teacher, colleague and friend. His generosity of spirit, intellectual rigor, and genuine concern for others left an indelible mark on academia and the lives of others. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of scholars and thinkers who seek a more just, compassionate and peaceful world.
Most importantly, Mike was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, neighbor and friend. Mike was born to Ruth and Theodore in Salt Lake City, Utah. He grew up with his brothers Rawlin and Mel, and their happy childhood was filled with outdoor adventures, plenty of trouble, and lots of love. He fell in love with his wife Shannon while they attended Bountiful High School. She was the center of his world for sixty years, and together they faced life's wonders and challenges as a team. He was immensely proud of his daughters, Sonia and Nicole, who loved him dearly and share their lives with Gus and Rafa. And Mike found enormous joy in his grandsons, Jesse and Dylan, with whom he spent countless hours playing monopoly, croquet and badminton, watching their favorite shows, and eating gelato. Mike was inspired by the profound beauty of Nature, and his family treasures their memories of times at the beach, walking trails and visits to National Parks. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a love of learning, compassion for others and the importance of love and happiness.
In his last book, "Mindfulness in Good Lives," Mike reminded us of his definition of happiness: "In my view, we are happy insofar as we love our life overall, valuing it with ample enjoyments and a robust sense of meaning." By his own definition, Mike led a happy life, and he will be deeply missed.
Published by Los Angeles Times on Sep. 8, 2024.
