Historical February–March 2010 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Editor’s Note: An exchange of emails recently resulted in a treasure trove of memories from former St. Roch students of Ed Martin, who retired a couple of years ago after more than 25 years of teaching.
The “time capsule” Conrad Knoten describes below was indeed honored with a plaque and this Post-Dispatch article.
But the Post had a couple of errors: it’s Dina Vatcha, not Diana, Patricia Chavez, not Chavey, and Colleen Thomas, not Katie Gotway, although Katie was indeed a part of that class. Thanks to Conrad and all the others who responded to his emails. — Jo Ann Vatcha Not many people can say they had their uncle as a teacher but I am one of seven nephews and nieces of Ed Martin whom he taught at St. Roch.
I have many fond memories of those days – memorizing poems, Greek myths, Thanksgiving and Christmas plays, learning calligraphy, learning the Gettysburg Address, “happy hour” where he would read a story on Friday afternoons.
But my favorite memory is of our 5th grade science class winning a contest at the Magic House in 1985.
The contest was to come up with a list of 10 items to be placed in a time capsule from that time frame.
The class thought up ideas and submitted a list of items to be placed in a time capsule. Our class won the contest and had our picture in the paper and were on the local tv news.
There is a plaque on the wall at the Magic House that states our class won this contest and every time I go back, I make sure to look at the plaque. – Conrad Knoten, 1988 The biggest thing I can say is he is true.
I have bumped into Mr. Martin a couple times.
He has a true smile, and that means a lot. Maybe a little sappy, but, when I have seen him, I always knew he cares. That is when I went to St. Rochs or if I bumped into him on the street or after church. Mr. Martin Cared.
With a capitol C. – Joe Stout, 1987 My memories of Ed Martin are very vivid to this day.
They began when I was a small boy and we would meet at the light to cross Skinker Blvd. most mornings.
He was always interested in what I was doing and I was mostly sprinting to keep up because of the brisk pace he always struck as he walked to work each day. By the time I reached 8th grade, Ed was familiar face in our lives.
He knew each of us and we knew him.
It made 8th grade less intimidating. Ed was also my first exposure to drama and literature.
From performing plays on the church steps with the buses and cars rolling by to reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, he opened a new world for me.
He taught us all to use proper grammar and punctuation, many times against our will, but to this day, people who don’t use proper grammar and mispronounce words have the same grating effect as nails on a chalk board to me.
I find myself correcting my own children now, many times against their will, but I also teach them there is always another great story just around the corner and a book can take you places you never dreamed possible.
The lessons of Ed Martin are still being passed along.
I hope he will take pride in his accomplishments.
I am certainly grateful we crossed paths many years ago.
I am a better man for it. – Eric Nelsen, 1979.
I keep reflecting on what a wonderful teacher he was.
I actually think he, Mr. Shaver & Mrs. Klees were the best 3 teachers I ever had, high school and college included.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of him is how he had us memorize so many poems and the Gettysburg Address.
I still remember so many of them and the other day I quoted the last stanza of “The Road Less Travelled” to someone off the top of my head.
He knew how to make what we were learning a part of who we were.
I also remember him reading so many books to us, and all the inflections he would put in his voice for the different characters. And the way he always said “Number NINE” like a Beatles song, although I never heard that song!
Most of all, I knew that being a teacher was not just a job for him, it was a vocation and he put his whole heart into it. Hundreds of people walking around today are better off for it! – Brigid McCarthy Henke, 1987 My memories of Mr. Martin including watching his face get steaming red for [my]not participating in his class like a normal child did.
I also learned about the Greeks and I believe my love for history developed as a result of having him as a teacher. – Aidan McCauley, 1988 25 years is an amazing amount of time for a teacher to share his knowledge and ability to communicate so well with students. Like Patricia, I also recall the poems we memorized.
But one memory I hold with great pride is the calligraphy contest Mr. Martin held when I was in 6th grade (I think).
I practiced and practiced and actually won the contest.
I received a calligraphy set from Mr. Martin and often used it to make cards and notes for my family.
I am proud to say that I am still able to form most of the letters correctly and often impress people with my calligraphy skills.
It might seem like a little thing, but it’s something I won’t ever forget.
I work in a school now as an occupational therapist and know how challenging students can be.
I hope Mr. Martin realizes the impact he had on so many students.
I wish him all the best in his retirement. – Dina Vatcha, 1988
Original photograph caption
Original St.Louis Post Dispatch June 21, 1985 article Amadeus To Ride In Capsule, by John M.Mc Guire. Photographer Renyold Ferguson.2010 editor corrects names in original caption.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2010.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Printed source corrections Dina not Diana, Patricia Chavez not Chavey, Colleen Thomas not Katie Gotway apply to 1985 caption; old clipping preserved as original image alongside correction.
Original source: SD_Times2010_02.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
