Remembering Edith Martindale

Edith Martindale & Chris Uggen

We are saddened to announce the passing of friend and benefactor Edith Martindale, age 101. Edith passed peacefully on June 5, 2019 and is remembered for her generosity and support. Friends say Edith's mantra was "What can I do for you?,” a fitting testament to her longtime support of the Sociology department. She will be greatly missed. 

Edith was preceded in death by her husband, Don Martindale, who was a distinguished member of the University of Minnesota’s sociology faculty from 1948, when he was hired as an assistant professor, until his retirement as Emeritus Professor in 1983. Dr. Martindale was a great humanist, a brilliant scholar, and an ideal mentor and teacher who treated his students as peers.  

In 1988, Edith and Don helped to establish the Martindale Graduate Student Fellowship, an annual award committed to providing Sociology students with funds for tuition, books, and other expenses as they pursue their degrees. Edith also established the Don A. Martindale Endowed Chair in Sociology in 2008 to recruit, support, and retain outstanding faculty in the field of sociology. The beneficiaries of her vision are the many students and faculty excited by the future success they will have to share with others, just as Edith and Don shared their own experiences and wisdom throughout their lives. Edith Martindale will go down in the annals of this University and department as someone who made a difference.  

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, June 20 at Roselawn Cemetery Chapel, 803 W. Larpenteur Ave., Roseville and visitation is from 10:30-11:00am. No flowers, please.

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