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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Mar '92
Martin Al Kutler No.15705 Class of 1946
Died 9 June 1960 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, aged 35 years. Interment:
Beth Sholom Cemetery, Bethlehem, Pennsylvani |
Martin Al Kutler, always known as "Marty"
to his family and friends, was born on 17 October 1924 in Trenton,
New Jersey. When Marty was quite young, his parents moved
to Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, which became Marty's "hometown."
While attending J.W. Cooper High School in Shenandoah, Marty
was a very popular student and participated in many activities:
he starred in the school play his senior year; played clarinet
in the marching band and saxophone in the orchestra; played tennis;
and also ran distance races on the track team. He had a lifelong
ambition to attend West Point, even though there was no military
tradition in his family. Upon graduation from high school Marty
attended Pennsylvania State University while awaiting an appointment
to the Academy. While at Penn State he made the Dean's List,
was on the debating team and was a member of the Pershing Rifles
in the ROTC program. Finally, his appointment to West Point came
through, and Marty joined the Class of 1946 on 1 July 1943.
Marty found his early cadet days a bit tougher
than some. It seems he received more than his share of attention
from some of the more demanding upperclassmen. With his typical
good-natured style, he weathered that period with little difficulty.
Some of his classmates remember Marty's aversion to riding class.
It seems that Marty often offered the Cavalry troopers, who ran
the class, money to give him one of the more docile horses. At
the same time, Marty's classmates would offer the same troopers
money to make sure Marty got one of the more spirited horses.
The net result was that Marty never seemed to like riding any
better. As a cadet, Marty is remembered as ever cheerful, even-tempered,
always ready to help others and capable of getting a maximum
amount of work done with a minimum of effort. His relaxed approach
to academics and his median class standing did not, in any way,
reflect his intellectual capabilities. When graduation rolled
around, Marty became a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster
Corps.
After a year on active duty, Marty was retired from the
Army with physical disabilities. Having to shift his career goals,
Marty decided to enroll in the Law School at the University of
Pennsylvania. It was about this time that Marty married Rose
Sherman on 3 August 1947 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Following
graduation from law school, where he was a member of the Law
Review, Marty became associated with the law offices of Irving
W. Coleman and maintained offices in Northhampton and Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania.
Irving Coleman recalled: "He (Marty) was an excellent
trial lawyer and was able to use his charm and good looks particularly
in front of women jurors. Martin had a very successful career.
I have practiced law for 55 years, and Marty was one of my most
outstanding associates and partners. Although he was a native
of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, he made many, many friends throughout
the Lehigh Valley, both professionally and socially."
Marty was at the height of his career as a trial lawyer
when he died suddenly on 9 June 1960. He was survived by his
wife, Rose; daughters Kathryn, Leslie and Carole; sister Joan;
and brother Sam.
Martin Al Kutler was a good and positive influence on
everyone who knew him. His sister Joan recalled that, as a child,
Marty gave her the confidence to pursue the goals she sought
She looked up to her oldest brother for guidance when she needed
it. These same characteristics remained a basic part of Marty
throughout his foreshortened life. Always intelligent, with tremendous
capabilities, Marty was interesting to be around and had a charming
personality. He was generous with his time and talents to those
who were in need. His wife Rose recalled that one of his best
friends said to her shortly after Marty's death, "To know
him is to love him."
Even though he had to forgo his career in the
Army and was a most successful trial lawyer, Marty always considered
his crowning achievement to be his graduation from West Point.
It is difficult to fathom the rationale for the death at such
a young age of a truly good person like Marty Kutler. Since these
questions will never be answered, all that those left behind
can do is remember what a positive effect Marty had on this world
while he was here. He was a devoted husband and loving father;
he cared for people; he loved his country and cherished his West
Point heritage. The Class of 1946 is proud to say of Martin
Al Kutler, "Well Done; Be Thou At Peace!"
46 Memorial Article Project
and his wife Rose
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