Martin Walter Wyrod

Martin Walter Wyrod of Grosse Pointe, Michigan died peacefully in his sleep the morning of August 19, 2022, in his home of 50 years with his daughter and his dearest friend at his side. His final words were “I love you too.”

He was a true child of Detroit. His own father Walter James Wyrod was a highly decorated Chief of Detectives of Detroit. Walter was deeply committed to his work; he was shot in the line of duty while leading a raid on a Detroit crime ring. He went on to serve for 31 years, resigning as the third highest-ranking member of the force, then accepted a position with the US AID in Saigon, Vietnam. Martin’s caring and gentle mother Juliette Bouchard Wyrod immigrated to Detroit from Quebec, Canada as a child speaking only French and gave her son and grandchildren a love of French language and culture.

Martin graduated from Detroit Cooley High at age 16 and from the University of Detroit where he earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, magna cum laude, and an MBA. He was an only child and developed an extended family as a member of Chi Sigma Phi fraternity. His fraternity brothers became his friends for life, and the group’s children grew up to become dear friends. He earned a Masters in Electrical Engineering from Wayne State University in Detroit and later taught computer programming there. He designed SAGE computer systems for Burroughs then IBM in the early 1950s at the very infancy of the computer era. He went on to found a Detroit-based computer hardware and software company, Applied Systems Corporation, whose clients included the U.S. government, the big three auto makers and Disney. His firm worked with these clients to innovate software and hardware technology for 3D satellite mapping, self-driving automobiles and amusement rides at Disney World’s Epcot Center. To his last days, he loved to work and was blessed in his work.

His greatest good fortune was his choice of his wife Nora Marie Dilworth Wyrod, also a native Detroiter. She was a beauty, named “the best dressed working girl in Detroit” by the Detroit News in the 1950’s. She graduated from Wayne State University with highest honors after earning an academic excellence full scholarship for the final three years of her studies. The couple shared a passion for skiing, boating, traveling and time with friends. Nora stood by Martin’s side her entire life, gracious and unflinching through all the challenges life brought her husband, grounded together with him in their Catholic faith. Martin and Nora were members of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Grosse Pointe for 50 years. Everyone who knew Martin and Nora felt their deep faith.

Mr. Wyrod was preceded in death by his wife Nora (Dilworth) Wyrod who passed on July 26, 2021 at home with her family at age 89 and by his parents Walter and Juliette (Bouchard) Wyrod. He is survived by his daughter Patricia Wyrod, his son Robert (Rachel) Wyrod, his son Christopher (Nidia) Wyrod and two grandsons Nathaniel and Nicolas. All of these he loved deeply.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 222 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 467 Fairford Road, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48236 at 10 am. A memorial luncheon will follow at the Detroit Athletic Club.

Donations may be made to the Detroit Athletic Club Foundation “Police Chief’s Table” by contacting Foundation Director Nancy Maier at 313.963.9200, to PIME Missionaries 17330 Quincy Street, Detroit, Michigan 48221 and to Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 467 Fairford Road, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48236.