Some people we meet in life touch us in immeasurable ways; Martin Gelber was one of these people. He was my first architecture teacher, my mentor and my friend for 30 years. He will always be a part of who I am.
Martin was an award-winning architect with numerous contributions to architecture and our community. Although I could speak forever about his legacy as an architect, what touched me most was his humanity, the way he contributed to others’ lives, and his love of teaching.
In and out of the classroom, Martin was always sharing and mentoring. He was constantly surrounded by his students, whether it was during school, after graduation or later throughout our professional lives. He loved his students, and I was lucky enough to have been one of them.
Martin loved being with people, talking about art, architecture, and various travel destinations. His passion for life was contagious, and his laugh brightened my days.
He taught me about what makes architecture great, the importance of every little detail in the big picture, and my responsibility as an architect to create the best possible spaces for my clients in order to enrich their lives and the environment.
Martin, I want you to know how much you contributed to the person I am today, and the kind of architect and teacher that I became. I will miss you, thank you for being my friend.
