Reprinted from the author's biography in Hamilton County Memories.
About the Author
I was born in Ames, Iowa, in 1928. My name, Martin Edwin, was given to honor two brothers of my father. While attending school, I went by the name Edwin. At the end of World War II, I enlisted in the army, so that I might be able to attend college on the G. I. Bill. My service consisted of two years of occupation duty in Japan, where I worked in public health. I was discharged as a sergeant.
Upon discharge, I returned to Ames and enrolled at Iowa State College, where I majored in science and mathematics. After about 2 1/2 years at Iowa State, I decided to transfer to the University of Iowa, so that I could pursue a teaching career. I graduated in 1952 with a BS degree in mathematics and a minor in science. My desire to start a teaching career was delayed when I was recalled to active duty during the Korean war. For another two years I served as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers.
In 1954, I started my teaching career, which spanned the next 45 years. My first teaching position was in the town of Pierson, Iowa, where I taught math and science. Next I moved to Atlantic for another nine years. During this time, I met and married Marjorie Moles. Our three children, Brian, Miriam, and Mara, were born in the Atlantic hospital.
By 1965, my desire to teach college level mathematics caused me to move the family to Webster City and the Webster City Junior College. My teaching started in the Lincoln Building and later we moved to the college campus on Beach Street.
Soon, my teaching included computer science, which necessitated an assignment mostly in Fort Dodge. The college, by this time, had evolved into Iowa Central Community College.
Our three children all attended Iowa Central, then graduated from Iowa State University. We now have six grandchildren, Bethany, Greg, Jenny, Ben, Sarah, and Connor.
In addition, I taught night classes in math and computer science for Buena Vista University for 19 years. Finally, I retired from active teaching in 1997.
My hobbies have included photography, gardening, reading, and research on the history of our county and city. In addition, my wife and I have been very active in our church, Asbury United Methodist Church. My most joyful public service was my 15 years service as a board member for our Kendall Young Library.
Martin E. Nass March 12, 1928 - December 25, 2007