Born in Ashland County, Ohio, Mr. Martin received his undergraduate degree from the College of Wooster in Ohio, and his educator's degree from Columbia University. 

Mr. Martin served in the Navy in World War II as a lieutenant commander and saw action in the Pacific. 

After the war, he moved to Ontario and began his career as a mathematics teacher. He taught both Chaffey High School and Chaffey College students when the two schools shared the Euclid Avenue campus. 

In 1954, Mr. Martin became a counselor at the school and in 1961 became assistant principal. 

"He was devoted to (education)," said his daughter Suzanne Lindley. "It was his life." 

In 1967, Mr. Martin took over as principal of Chaffey, succeeding Ernest Payne, who had held the job for 17 years. After Mr. Martin, known as "K.D." to friends, retired five years later, the two became neighbors on the same Ontario street. 

"I think of K.D. as a dedicated and capable educator," said Payne. 

"He was very intense and he was singular in his desire to see the school run well," said district Associate Superintendent Bette Harrison, then a Chaffey High School faculty member. 

In addition, Mr. Martin was active in several local groups. 

Mr. Martin was a member of the Claremont United Church of Christ, Congregational. 

Mr. Martin is survived by his wife, Ethel; two daughters, Mary Stewart of Upland and Suzanne Lindley of Imperial Beach; a brother, Dr. Harold Martin of Ashland, Ohio; a sister, Lovina Parmenter of Burbank, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. 

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Stone Pierce Brothers Mortuary, Upland. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Stone Chapel. Private interment will follow in Bellevue Memorial Park. 

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Organ Fund c/o the Claremont United Church of Christ, Congregational, 233 W. Harrison Avenue, Claremont, 91711.