Tribute

Barbara McMartin

Adirondack Author, Dies at 73

CANADA LAKE – Barbara McMartin, 73, of Canada Lake, died on September 27, 2005 of breast cancer. She is survived by her loving and caring husband Walter Alexander Reid. Since their marriage in 1982, Alec’s tireless devotion to her and her work has been monumental; their shared passion is most beautifully evident in their magnificent amphitheater garden.

Survivors from Barbara’s first marriage are James McMartin Long and his partner Anita Miller of Canada Lake, Nancy Ellen Long and her husband Richard Loomis of New Hartford, and Margaret Long Lawrence and her husband Robert Lawrence of Ossining. Two step-daughters also survive: Karen Reid of Minneapolis, MN and Pauline Reid of Reston, VA. Grandchildren include Alicia Loomis, Catherine Loomis, Elizabeth Lawrence and Daniel Lawrence. She is survived by her brother, Dr. Daniel McMartin of Louisville, KY, her sister Patricia Maier of Lexington, MA and her nieces, nephews and step-mother.

Born on November 18, 1931, Barbara was the daughter of Dr. D. Malcolm McMartin, Johnstown physician, and Barbara Clark McMartin. Growing up in Johnstown, she became the valedictorian of the Class of 1949. Barbara graduated from Vassar College, cum laude in Mathematics in 1964, received a master’s degree from Hunter College, and in 1972 she received a PhD in mathematics from the Graduate Division of City University of New York.

In 1972 Barbara turned from mathematics and became involved in the environmental movement in the Adirondacks where her primary focus was the nature, culture and management in the park. She served as vice-president the Adirondack Mountain Club and the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks and was a member of many environmental groups.

In the years between 1972 and 2005 Barbara wrote 25 books, both guidebooks and histories of the Adirondacks. She wrote and maintained the popular 11 book Discover series which covers all regions of the Adirondack Park for outdoors people. Her other guides include: The Adirondack Park, A Wildlands Quilt; Fifty Hikes in the Adirondacks; Fifty Hikes in the Hudson Valley; and three books for young people on hiking, camping and canoeing.

In 1976 Barbara completed Caroga, an Adirondack Town Recalls its Past. Her other histories include: Hides, Hemlocks and Adirondack History, The Great Forest of the Adirondacks, To the Lake of the Skies (story of the Benedicts), The Glove Cities, Perspectives on the Adirondacks, The Privately Owned Adirondacks and Adirondack Timeline. She also wrote a series of pamphlets and Citizen’s Guides for the Adirondack Park Agency.

Barbara was proudest of her service on NYS Department of Environmental Conservation advisory committees: the High Peaks AC from 1974 to 1978 and the Forest Preserve AC from 1979 to 2003. She chaired the Forst Preserve AC from 1979 to 2003 where she helped write many DEC policies.

Barbara served as volunteer curator at the Caroga Historical Museum and at the Fulton County Museum. She had numerous photograph exhibits of her work and published many magazine articles. In 1992 she chaired the NYS Adirondack Park Centennial.

Among the many awards Barbara received were the Founder’s Day Award from the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake as well as both the Adirondack Communicator and Adirondack Heritage Awards from the Adirondack Council. Barbara’s friends, DEC staffers and several Adirondack organizations honored her as her illness progressed and gave her many wonderful notes of commendation for her work.

There will be no memorial service, but those who wish may contribute to the Residents’ Committee to Protect the Adirondacks, PO Box 27, North Creek, NY 12853.

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