Ryder H. Martin

Ryder H. Martin was born on May 10, 1930 in Cincinnati, Ohio to George Marshall Martin and Margarett White Martin. He died on July 8, 2025 at Cape Cod Hospital after a short stay in the hospital.
He was educated in Cincinnati, and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he served in the Naval ROTC unit. He spent two years on active duty in the Navy and returned to Cincinnati where he attended the University of Cincinnati College of Architecture and Design, in one of its cooperative programs. He graduated with a BS in Interior Design and worked as an Interior Designer for firms in Cincinnati.
He and his wife the former Margaret M. Leeds were married in 1961 and had two sons while still in Cincinnati. Ryder was very interested in becoming an educator and an opportunity arose to develop an Art Program at Seabury Hall, an Episcopal boarding and day school on the island of Maui, Hawaii founded in 1964. The family moved to Maui in 1965 and stayed there for three years.
They returned to the mainland in 1968 and, after exploring several options, decided to try living year-round on Cape Cod – Ryder had spent part of most summers on the Cape since 1947. He taught Art for one year in the Nauset Regional Schools, then an opening came in the Chatham School System. Ryder then spent 25 years teaching Art, Art History, Studio Art, Mechanical and Architectural Drawing, and Photography in Chatham, most of those years in the high school, before retiring in 1994. In an extracurricular capacity he was advisor to five graduating classes, Student Council advisor for several years, Yearbook Advisor for two years, Drama Club advisor for two years, and set designer and constructor (with much student help) of many drama productions over the course of 20 years. He and Margaret also began the Chatham High School Handbell Choir, originally at the First Congregational Church and then moving to Chatham High School. The handbell choir played at school concerts, at various churches, and at nursing homes in Chatham and nearby.
After retiring he served one term on the school committee, including one year as Chair. He was active on the Chatham Rail Museum Committee for many years, and served on the Board of the Westgate Teachers’ Foundation for some years.
Music was very important throughout his life. He played trombone in high school and college marching bands and led a jazz band in college. He and Margaret met while singing in their church choir in Cincinnati.  At the First Congregational Church of Chatham Ryder sang in the choir for many years under several directors. He also served the church on its Music Committee, the Christian Education Committee, the Board of Deacons, and as Church Moderator for one term.
He is predeceased by his parents, his sister, and his brother. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, two married sons – Christopher R. Martin and Diana L. Martin, Reed H. Martin and Barbara Coughlin-Martin, three grandsons - Keegan and wife Crystal, Rory and wife Becca, and Devon, and one great grandson Aidan. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, great- nephews, and great-nieces.
In lieu of flowers donations in Ryder’s name may be made to Monomoy Dollars for Scholars, First Congregational Church of Chatham, or a charity of your choice. A Celebration of Life will be held during the first week of August. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com