Hugo E. Martz was born on November 1, 1938, in a rural Whitley County, Indiana, farmhouse and reared on a Whitley County dairy farm. He graduated from Columbia City High School in 1956 and attended college at Purdue University, graduating in 1960. At Purdue, he was a soloist in the Varsity Glee Club, President of Rochdale House, a member of a championship ping-pong team and he was invited into the prestigious Reamer Club. He attended Indiana University School of Law, graduating in 1962 when he was Dean Leon H. Wallace’s law clerk. He also earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Missouri.
After law school, he practiced law for nearly 60 years: in Ft. Wayne for 11 years as a corporate lawyer and poverty law lawyer. Then he taught law full-time at Valparaiso University for seven years; and thereafter entered private practice in Valparaiso for 40 years.
He was active in community affairs, including the Boys & Girls Club, Hilltop Neighborhood House, Boy Scouts of America and various singing groups. He was a past President of the Porter County American Inn of Court.
His parents, Joseph C. and Dora Belle Martz, predeceased him; as did his younger brother, Thomas Martz. He is survived by his older brother, Frederic Martz; his second wife, Martha (Pool) Martz; his first wife, Kathryn (Martz) Lemmon; five children: Kristine (Martz) Givens, John Martz, Joseph D. Martz, David Martz and Daniel (Logan) Martz; two stepchildren: Rollo Pool III and Janet Pool; two nieces and four nephews; nine grandchildren; four step grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and three step great grandchildren.
There will be a drop-in memorial service from 1:00 - 3:00 PM CST on October 8, 2023, at Moeller Funeral Home 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso, Indiana. Everyone is welcome to attend at any time during that period of time to share a moment with the family and remember Hugo E. Martz. Cremation has occurred. Charitable contributions are requested to the Salvation Army or Heifer International, in lieu of flowers.
