James Martens, Trinity '97, was found dead Tuesday evening by his roommate in his New York City apartment. He died in his sleep Sunday night, friends of his said, but the cause of his death remains unknown.
During his time at the University, Martens was a member of the men's varsity swimming team as well as the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.
"As a person, he embodied everything that anyone could aspire to be," said Trinity senior Andrew Dodson, also a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and a friend of the deceased. "His sense of humor was unparalleled and brightened anyone's day."
Martens was recruited for the men's varsity swimming team from the Landon School in Potomac, Md., but shoulder problems prevented him from swimming for much of his first two years, said men's swimming coach Bob Thompson. After recovering from shoulder surgery, Martens emerged as the team's outstanding sprinter during his junior and senior years-recording the fastest 50-meter freestyle turns on the team.
"Once he had the opportunity, he made the most of it," Thompson said.
After graduating from the University with a bachelor's degree in English, Martens began working for an advertising firm in New York City. He was still employed there at the time of his death.
"I really think he would have done so well in that industry," said Trinity senior Kara Rassi, a close friend of Martens', noting his tremendous creative skills and imagination.
Friends at the University described Martens as a genial person, someone with whom everybody enjoyed spending their time. "He could always make you smile and was very full of life," Rassi said.
Trinity senior Lindsay Smith also praised Martens. "He was a wonderful guy inside and out," she said. "He just really meant a lot to a lot of people."
Rassi said the family is holding a viewing ceremony Sunday afternoon in Bethesda, Md., at the Pumpfry Funeral Home from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the funeral will be held there Monday morning at 11 a.m. The funeral home's address is 7557 Wisconsin Ave., and the phone number is (301) 652-2200.
Currently, Dodson said, there are no official plans for a memorial service at the University. He added, however, that he would like to do something in Martens' memory, such as commemorating a tree in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or perhaps creating a scholarship.
Dodson said Martens would want his friends and loved ones to persevere despite their loss. If Martens were still alive, Dodson continued, he would tell his friends not to worry about him, to "have a good time in his memory."
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