August John Martin

August “John” Martin, 86, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on April 4, 2026. A devoted educator, dedicated public servant, and man of steadfast character, he leaves behind a legacy of service and leadership that spanned from the heart of Iowa to the nation’s capital.

Born on September 24, 1939, in Grafton, North Dakota, August was the son of Reverend August G. Martin and Helen Fischer Martin. His lifelong commitment to learning began at Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa, where he earned a BA in Education in 1961. He furthered his academic pursuits with a Master of Education from Moorhead State University and an Ed.S from the University of Northern Iowa.

John’s career was defined by his passion for shaping young minds. He began as an elementary school teacher in Sheldon, Iowa, before transitioning into higher education administration at Buena Vista College and Drake University. His expertise led him to the Iowa Department of Public Instruction, where he served with distinction for over 20 years. While navigating the complexities of state education, he also remained grounded in the land, farming in Madison County.

Deeply involved in his community, John was active in local Iowa politics and a long-time member of the Winterset Rotary International Chapter. His professional journey eventually took him beyond Iowa, leading education technology improvements in Minnesota and furthering character education initiatives in Virginia and Washington, D.C., where he led the Character Education Partnership and established the MVP (Modeling Virtuous Principles) Foundation.

On December 26, 1991, John married Becky Geheren in Spicer, Minnesota. He is survived by his wife, Becky; his children, Lisa Martin (husband Samuel Morin) and August Martin (wife Darcy); and his step-son, Thomas Geheren (wife Kamila). His memory lives on through his cherished grandchildren: Tatum (Martin) Van Dyke (husband Nicholas), Reagan Martin, and Maxwell Hansen. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, James Martin and David Martin.

A celebration of life will be held at Blair Chapel (St. Charles) on Saturday, May 30th, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Foursquare Gospel Church in Winterset, Iowa.