I had the great blessing of being a fellow UD Flyer. I met Marty and his roommate Kevin in August 1986. One of them became my partner in marriage, the other became my partner in crime. 
Marty’s super power was that he could move so easily from silly and self deprecating, to empathetic and sensitive.  His huge heart and his willingness to bare it wide open, made him the best friend a girl like me could ask for. 

I feel as though I grew up, like really became an adult, with Marty. We may have attempted to prolong childhood for as long as possible, but In the end, I am in awe of the Man Marty has become. I feel so blessed to have had him in my life these past 35 years. 

Marty’s fellow Dayton Flyers giving Marty the “stubby salute”. We love this man more than words can describe. 

Marty has been my constant link to all financial and grant related issues for decades.  At times that I was agitated because of external grant issues, Marty was always the calm presence and voice of logic.  He was always there for me and was forever kind and patient.  My prayers are with his family.  He has left a lasting legacy at the SON and has changed us forever.

Marty was a pleasure to work with.  He put a sparkle in conversations and was thoughtful when we were sorting through problems.  He will be missed in the ORA office.  --terry

Dear Family and Friends of Marty,
Please accept my sincerest sympathy on your loss. Marty was a wonderful colleague to me over many years. I first met him when he began his work at the School of Nursing. He helped manage my budgets for years. Marty was very talented and smart. He was so patient with us, too. What I remember most, though, is how much he loved his wife and children. He was was proud of his family and often shared what all of you were doing. Knowing Marty was a blessing to me. I know he is with the Lord now. 
Fondly, 
Susan Pressler

Dear Jeanna, Maggie, Sophie and Matt

My heart is heavy with the thought of losing Marty.  You, his family, will surely miss him most.  Many of us who had the chance to work with Marty at the IU School of Nursing will miss him too.  

He was such a ray of sunshine, with his amazing sense of humor, who made me laugh every time I spoke with him.  No matter how complicated financial issues were, his calm presence and confidence in all he did always  reassured me.  He was a patient man who answered the most mundane and repetitive questions with grace and kindness. 

He was incredibly proud of his family and updated me regularly on how his wife, children, and parents were doing.  Marty will be sorely missed and left us far too soon.  Keeping you all in my prayers and may Marty rest in peace.                

Jeanna, Maggie, Sophie, and Matt,
It’s impossible to imagine how devastated and heartbroken you must be. The sense of loss is simply overwhelming. Marty and I worked together for 18 years. During that time, he became a treasured friend as we laughed and swapped stories about our youth, kids growing up, aging parents, vacations, and the like.
I admired how Marty was such a great family man. When we last talked which was about a week ago, I answered the phone and asked the typical “How are you?” question. Marty said, “Living the dream!” Although we both chuckled at the time since the call was work-related, I know that’s truly how he felt. As long as he had his family by his side, regardless of what else might be happening, he was “living the dream”. I will miss Marty terribly but never forget him. He will always be in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.

Connie Krier


Jeanne and family,
I am so sorry for your loss.  My thoughts and prayers 


To Marty’s family and friends, 
As a faculty at IUSON, it was always a joy to see  Marty, whether, in a meeting or even just passing him in the hall.  He will be missed by all of us at IUSON. 
I am praying for your family,  that you will all be comforted by Marty’s  faith  and  by the prayers and support of the many people who knew him.  
Blessings,
Joan Haase


When I was sick last year,  Cora kept telling me that Sophie's dad wanted to cook for us. We had more than enough help at the time, but I have never forgotten it. My only regret is not having had the opportunity to get to know him better. You are all in my thoughts and in my heart right now. 
Laura Gordon

For me, Marty and his lovely family lived through my treasured friend, Amy.   Over the past 30 years, I can barely remember a time that Amy and I were together, and she did not have a jolly story to share that involved Marty..., and it was not just the stories.  He was there at the weddings, graduations, births, New Year's celebrations and all other major life milestones.  The thing I remember about him is how he would always be sure to find me and ask about my family and me.  Marty would not only seek me out, ask the questions, but he listened deeply and always responded with wit and wisdom.  Through the years, I remember talking with him about job hunting, getting married, raising children, and buying homes.   He was a family man.  He genuinely cared about people and their lives, even his sister's friend.  My sincere love and deepest sympathies for Marty and his family.  

Marti,

Thank you for your light, gentleness, calmness, patience, and generosity. Every summer for the last 8 years, I invariably asked you the same questions about  grant funding supports. You would gently provide guidance. 
Rest peacefully in the Divine's arms. 

We offer prayers for peace and comfort that surpasses all understanding for your loved ones. May your memory be a blessing always.

Ukamaka

The IU School of Nursing was a special place for me to work, because of wonderful people like Marty and many others. His loss is simply not right. We need more people in this world like Marty.

My condolences to Marty’s family and friends. Marty became a friend while we worked together at IUSON. Over the years, he shared stories of his family, a witty sense of humor, kind heart and was generous with his time and patience to help others. I always left a conversation with Marty smiling. His great joy was his wife and kids. He was proud of their accomplishments and loved to share stories about them. His observations were always generous and heartfelt. His smile, laughter, kindness, and advice will be greatly missed. 

I worked with Marty for 18 years at the School of Nursing.  While we would always start out talking about grants, by the end of the conversation, we would be to stories about his family. His dry wit made every story hilarious.  I am stunned to learn of his death and know he will be missed by all.  My sympathy and heart-felt condolences to his wife and children.

I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Marty at IUSON for many years and always enjoyed our conversations.  Marty’s sense of humor was a defining characteristic, as was his kindness and integrity.  I often left his office laughing at whatever story he had shared.   I am deeply saddened by this news and know he will be missed by many.  

Judy Halstead

My heart is breaking for Jeanna, kids and Marty's entire family. I worked with Marty for 18 yrs at the IUSON and spent more time with him then my own family. Not only was he a best friend, I also thought of him as my brother. This world will not be the same without you Marty and I will miss you terribly. Until we meet again, tell MEO and Helen hello for me and don't get them into too much trouble. Miss you my friend. 

I went to UD with Marty and have great memories of being in his company. He was smart, funny and  kind. 

To the entire family- I’m so very sorry for your loss. 



I worked with Marty at IUSON. He was very witty and supportive. I always felt I could reach out to Marty for any questions about the grants I was working on.  He was always attentive and a great listener.  We often talked about his children and compared stories, He was so proud of all of his children. He will be greatly missed at IUSON and I am so sorry for your loss.  I know he was always thinking of his family and he was a very kind man.  He will not be forgotten.
Prayers for your family,  
Julie LaMothe

Marty was one of my best friends in high school, and we worked together at McDonald's.  When you were friends with one of the Kovalans, you were friends with the whole family. I remember being at their home many times. I also got to visit Marty at the University of Dayton which he loved. Marty was always filled with life, and he had a kind word for everyone. He was so personable that I can see how he was a successful grant manager. Marty was a great guy, and he will truly be missed!

Jeanna, Maggie, Sophie and Matthew- I am shocked to be reading this news and so deeply saddened for all of you. Such a wonderful, kind and devoted family man. I am praying for your entire family for peace in the hours, days and weeks ahead. May your memories, faith,  family and friendships sustain you in the days and weeks to come.
Warmest Regards,
Lynda, Mike, Audrey and Evan Thies 

This news is just devastating. Marty was such a pillar of our school. He and I got to know each other during a retreat and since then have had such a lovely relationship. He was always willing to help me with questions, and no question was too minor. I've been thinking about him since I heard this news, and am just so sad to lose a wonderful person. I know his children meant the world to him - we talked about our kids quite a bit over the years. To Marty's family - you are in my thoughts. 

My condolences to Marty's family.  I've known him since he first came to IU School of Nursing, and enjoyed going into the business office regularly to talk with him, even after I retired.  I loved his dry sense of humor.  He always told stories in that understated way that left you laughing loudly.  The one thing I learned from his stories is how much he loved his family.  He told stories about his children that always made himself the fall guy at the end--one more time that he was hoodwinked by his children.  They were warm and generous remembrances...and in remembering him I'll always think "warm" and "generous."

Jeanna and family, I am so sorry for your loss.  I will keep you all in my prayers.  


OBITUARY

Martin "Marty" A. Kovalan

April 8, 1968 – March 31, 2021

Leppert Mortuaries - Nora

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