Martin E. Berger 1942-2025

Martin is survived by his wife, Louisa Lipari Berger, whom he married Aug. 19, 1965; and his children, Daniel M. Berger (Jill Sinatra) of Cranberry Township, Pa., and Emily Berger Larrier of Boardman; and his son-in-law, Brian E. Rinehart of Columbus. Martin is also survived by three grandchildren, Elyssa Larrier Pallone, Zachary E. Larrier and Jason P. Berger; and two great-grandchildren, James M. Pallone III and Elena Rae Pallone.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Otto E. and Irene M. Berger; brothers-in-law, Joseph B. Lipari and Michael S. Lipari; sister, Elaine K. Ball; son-in-law, Damon E. Larrier; and daughter, Barbara Ellen Berger.

Born Nov. 22, 1942, in Columbus, Martin graduated from Grandview Heights High School in 1960. Martin’s next step in his academic journey was to attend Columbia College in New York City, where he was able to receive a world-class education in a location that provided him the opportunity to indulge his passion for jazz. Following graduation from Columbia in 1964, Martin went on to receive his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.

In 1969, Martin was hired by Youngstown State University as an assistant professor of history to teach European history with an emphasis on Germany.

During his time at YSU, which did not end with his retirement from the full-service faculty in 2005, Martin generated some new classes for the department. He taught a history of medicine class at YSU, aimed at students in the allied health fields; he later took that topic to NEOUCOM to provide a different perspective on the interconnectivity of the history of world events and medicine (discoveries and practices) — focusing on how both disciplines influenced one another and our world.

Another of Martin’s historical interests led to his development of a course on World War II, which was regularly filled to capacity, and enabled him to work with enthusiastic students and many WWII veterans who shared their experiences and first-hand knowledge.

Martin served as co-adviser to YSU’s History Club for many years. He was also the YSU History Department’s local coordinator for the regional Ohio History Day competition, an annual event since 1974. His primary role was to recruit volunteer judges to evaluate entries in several categories; it was not his favorite role related to his time in the history department, but he performed it faithfully, survived every year and hardly ever complained. (Note: one of the last three statements is false.)

Outside his departmental obligations, Martin was an active supporter of the Dana School of Music’s Jazz Studies program. He never missed a jazz ensemble or jazz combos performance.

He was able to indulge and share his favorite music with the creation of a jazz radio program at WYSU. Martin’s show, “Now’s the Time,” which aired Dec. 2 1972, is still broadcast on WYSU-FM Saturdays at 11 p.m.

Martin once explained that he loved working at the station because it allowed him “the opportunity to be a small part of public radio’s all-important effort to preserve an outpost of civilization and sanity.”

Martin was a fan of college basketball, football and track. He rooted for the Air Force Falcons, especially when his grandson, Zachary, played quarterback or ran a track event; the Columbia Lions; The Ohio State Buckeyes; and the YSU Penguins.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown, Elm Street (across from Wick Park).

For anyone not able to join in person, the service will be available at https://zoom.us/j/324513381.

Following the service, a reception will be held at Cassese’s MVR, 410 N. Walnut St. in Youngstown.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the First Unitarian Universalist Church,

WYSU-FM or to the Tony Leonardi Legacy Scholarship at Youngstown State University.

(special notice)