David Earl Martin was born on October 24, 1938 in Syracuse, NY to parents Earl and Elizabeth, along with younger siblings Diane and James. While still a child in 1946, his family moved west to pursue a better life, and he spent his youth in Pomona, CA.

He attended community college at Mt. San Antonio College, then transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in Electrical Engineering. He married Linda Anne White in March 1964, and they bought a house in Fountain Valley, CA, in which to begin their lives.

Dave first worked as an engineer supporting the Apollo space program at North American Aviation Inc. He worked stints at two other companies, achieving increasing responsibilities designing computers for both general purpose and military applications. While working at Varian Data Machines, Dave and Linda moved to Dana Point, CA for their elder son's health, where their younger son was then born.

Beginning in January 1973, he was hired by defense contractor Hughes Electronics Corporation, a position that defined his career. He led engineering teams to design guidance and targeting computers for torpedo munitions for the US Navy. He worked there for 25 years.

Dave put both his sons through college, allowing them to begin their adult lives and careers without debt. Dave and Linda sadly divorced in 1988, but remained amicable for the rest of their lives, continuing to celebrate countless occasions together with their children.

Dave retired February 1st, 1998, at the age of 59. He spent his retirement in two great pursuits: investing, and entertaining his grandchildren. He remarked later that he felt this was the high point of his life. There was nothing more important to him than spending time with his family. He enjoyed this life until after three months of severe illness, he passed from this world on October 9th, 2026, at the age of 87.

He leaves behind a brother, James; two sons, Stephen with wife Kosal, and Thomas with wife Katherine; and five grandchildren, Brianna, Kate, Jonathan, Peter, and Anna.

David Earl Martin, devoted father and grandfather, will be remembered always with love, and deeply missed.