Obituary of Martha A. Adams

Martha A. "Marty" Adams died on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at the Atrium at The Village at Penn State, State College. Marty was born September 10, 1926 in Waynesboro and was the daughter of the late Chester E. and Mary Benedict Adams. She is survived by a nephew, Jefford A. Funk and his wife, Polli, of Kill Devil Hills, N.C. A sister, Elizabeth A. "Betty" passed away in 201O and a niece, Leslie in 2008. Marty graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1944. She then received her Bachelor's degree from The College of William and Mary and her Master's degree from the University of Iowa; both degrees were in physical education. Before coming to Penn State in 1954 on a one year appointment as head of women's swimming, she taught at both The Beard School in Orange, N.J. and the University of Iowa in Iowa City. She was retained at Penn State after the one year appointment as an assistant professor of physical education and head of swimming and remained there until her retirement. While at Penn State she served in numerous roles. In 1959 she was named as the Chairperson of Women's Physical Education. It was during her tenure in this position that the program initially titled "Extramural Sports for Women" was started in 1964.This program later was titled the " Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Program" . When the men's and women's physical education programs merged in 1973, she became Assistant to the Dean in the former College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and a year later became the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs, a position she held until her retirement as professor emerita in 1987. During her career at Penn State she was involved in numerous University-wide efforts including the University Faculty Senate in which she served a term as Secretary as well as chair of several committees. Marty was active in numerous professional associations including, the National Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, The National Association for Physical Education for Women and the Eastern Association for Women, which included a term as President. In the latter she also served as the Chairperson for the Committee on Competition which through EAPECW was instrumental in the development of intercollegiate athletic programs in the east. Marty also served as program chair for two of the five National Institutes on Girls and Women's Sports which also fostered the development of the women's intercollegiate programs nationally. Marty was always interested in community affairs and particularly enjoyed her activities in St. Paul's United Methodist Church, which included singing in the Senior Choir for over 25 years. Another prime interest was volunteer activity in our local Hospital's Snack Bar and the Emergency Room and her involvement with the former Hospital Auxiliary. Graveside services will be held in the family plot of Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro, PA and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Penn State University, 1 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802 to be added to one of the following Martha A. Adams Endowments: the Morgan Academic Support Center for Student Athletes, the Kinesiology Undergraduate Advising Center the Undergraduate Advising Center in the College of Health and Human Development, the Endowed Program Fund for Women's Athletics the Endowed Program Fund for Sports Medicine Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.