Donald Martyn

Dr. Donald Allyn Martyn (Don) was born on April 9, 1944, in Redding, Pennsylvania and passed away on December 28, 2023. He was preceded in death by his son, Andrew, and is survived by his wife, Karen; children Kevin, Kirsten and Kimberly; 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Donald and Karen just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Don was an avid river rafter and enjoyed many exhilarating river runs with his family as crew. He and his spouse led a 5-day excursion with family down the San Juan River in Utah, creating good memories. Don loved hiking, nature, seafood, playing basketball, swimming, photography, a good joke, music, Ford Fiestas, watercolor painting, cats, and he especially adored his four children. We will always treasure the camping trips in the beauty of California, Oregon and Washington.

Don grew up in the port town of San Pedro where he frequented the Cabrillo Yacht Club and became an avid sailor completing many regattas.

Don graduated from San Pedro High School and went on to study at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) where on the first day of school he met the love of his life, Karen. They were married on December 28, 1963. Don graduated from PLU in 1969 with a double degree in biology and chemistry and continued his studies at the University of Southern California where he earned a doctoral degree in Biophysics. He then completed his post-doctoral degree and joined the staff at the University of Washington.

Don is a UW Emeritus Professor after a career that spanned over 30 years in the Bioengineering department at the University of Washington, where he researched heart muscle and taught graduate and undergraduate courses. Don was a skilled educator, teaching with humor, enthusiasm, and patience.

A memorial service for Don will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, 11:00am, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Renton, WA.