Thinking of Marty and what a wonderful and special person he was.  We miss him very much.  Sending love to his beautiful family.  With love, Jim Klein and Addy Schultz

I am so sorry to read of  Marty's passing.  Sending my condolences and prayers to all his Family members especially to Joan, Lauren and Ariel. 
He was a very special man in everyone's heart.
Sending Hugs and My Prayers.

Hard to belive it's been a year. I still miss you, my friend.

Marty has been a dear friend and colleague for over 30 years.  I first met Marty when he took over the NJDEP, Office of Regulatory Policy in 1991.  We worked together managing the office.  He asked me to team teach a Planning course at Rutgers in 1992 because his father was ill.  As a result of his mentorship I went on to teach at Rutgers as an adjunct for 24 years.

Marty and I continued to work together even after he left the NJDEP.  Both at the Office of State Planning and the Governor’s Office. We had many discussions about planning issues, politics, and especially state government (which he was always intrigued).  

After I retired from the State in 2011 we met regularly for lunch and continued our discussions.  He also asked me to review some of his work, and was always helpful with my own writings.  I had a deep respect for his intellect and his intuitive grasp of “how things work.”  He taught me the value of positive networking, and how to form strong professional connections with many different people.

I will miss our conversations and friendship.


Dear Joan,
I write this note with fond memories of seeing you and Marty together at New Jersey Future's Smart Growth Awards ceremonies, APA/NJ conferences, and other events.  

Marty has been not only an inspiring  smart growth leader, but an accessible,  fun, and thoughtful mentor and friend through my entire career in New Jersey.  I first met Marty 34 years ago when I worked as a graduate student summer intern for the NJ Office of State Planning. Most recently I spoke on a panel with him at the 2019 (?) APA/NJ conference on the future of state planning.  

You may know that he called me last summer and then sent me a chapter of a book he had written.  I knew that he was ill when we spoke but not that he was close to the end of his life.  I'm sorry not to have expressed my appreciation for his professional friendship and support! But I feel his presence with me now as I write this note. 

You know how proud Marty was of your daughters and he frequently, joyously described your visits with them and their latest accomplishments.  

I have been traveling all fall with my husband who is on sabbatical, and I write this from Japan, but we'll be home in late December.  Please let me know when you will hold the celebration of life.  

Dear Joan, I am thinking of you and your family during this sad time. 

Sending love, and peace, and strength.

Chris Sturm


Marty was  one of my first professors at TCNJ over 15 years ago. He encouraged me to pursue my career in urban planning, which I will forever be in his graces. We stayed in touch over the years. He was a welcome mentor and dear friend. I would like to share my deepest condolences. He will be missed, but thought of often in the best of ways.

Sincerely, 
Charles Heydt

Marty's passing is a great loss to the planning world, especially in New Jersey and Maryland. He was an excellent scholar, a superb civil servant, and a wonderful friend. He had the rare gift of making all of life both fun and serious at the same time. There was pretty much no one like him.
               

Dear Joan and daughters:
We were very sad to learn of Marty's passing.  He was part of our life while we lived in Free Acres, and we have fond memories of his lively personality.
We send our deep condolences.
With affection,
Stella and Aryeh Gold

I supervised Marty's doctoral thesis over 40 years ago. I still remember it well as an outstanding piece of scholarship. Subsequently I remained in touch with him during his years of service to New Jersey, and he was often helpful to me in providing information and assisting my students. He was an important contributor to the state's efforts in open space and land-use planning, standing up for planning principles in the face of opposition. He was a wise and multi-faceted man.

My deepest sympathy to Marty’s family. I had the privilege to work with him at NJDEP. He was a gentle, kind man who had the gifts of clear vision and planning expertise. He could see the benefits  of intersecting planning with science in protecting the environment. Last night, many of Marty’s NJDEP colleagues raised a heartfelt toast to him at a retirees reunion. He will be missed. 






Condolences. I attended the funeral, but did not get a chance to speak with family. Marty was an essential part of my career in NJ state government. We worked on many projects together and I considered him a friend. We were in touch not long ago.

Steven Karp

Dear Joan, Lauren and Ariel,
My deepest sympathy for the passing of Marty. He was a kind and generous man. He was a mentor to me during our time at the NJDEP and the Municipal Land Use Center. I will miss him and his many stories. 

Carmen Valentin
 

i am so saddened to hear of Marty's passing. We spent many hours working together, debating NJ's future, environmental protection and how to keep it green and with vibrant communities. He was a great adherent to the idea of public duty, and most probably wont recognize where his thoughts and vision touched upon the landscape, but they surely did. 

So sorry to hear of Martys passing We were very active in Free Acres together.  Also we spent many years with our daughters in Indian Princes.

I grew up across the street from Marty.
I am Joan’s cousin.

In George Washington elementary school, Hillside Avenue Jr high school, and Hillside high school my friends and I looked up to Marty.

Living on Williamson Avenue was a joy and privilege in part due to the Bierbaums. It was the greatest childhood any boy could ask for.

“Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of Splendor in the grass
Of glory in the flower
We will grieve not
Rather find strength in what remains behind.”

Steve & Judy Gorlin

So sorry to hear of Marty’s passing.  I was privileged to work with him in his role at DEP.  He was amazing at leading negotiations and finding common ground.  Recently, I enjoyed his travels and comments on FaceBook.   May he Rest In Peace. 

So very sorry to hear of Marty's passing. He was thoughtful, intelligent, a good person and wonderful boss. Always focused on doing the right thing the right way and making the world a better place. It was an honor and pleasure to know Marty as a friend and colleague.  He will be missed...
Many blessings to Joan, Lauren and Ariel.

                                                              

My deepest condolences. While I only got to know Marty in the last year or so and only met him in person once, I learned so much from every interaction with him. He was a role model, a true intellectual, and such a thoughtful person. I always looked forward to an email from him! His work will continue to influence so many others. May his memory be a blessing to his beloved family and his huge network of friends.

Joan, I'm so sorry to hear about Marty. I just heard the sad news from the DEP grapevine.  Marty was truly a great man. He was the best boss I've ever had. He will truly be missed by his many friends and acquaintances.

 Sending my heartfelt sympathy.



Sending lots of love to the Bierbaums. I greatly enjoyed getting to know him through Ariel (and Lauren). He gave me thoughtful feedback and advice on a paper I was struggling with. We then were published together in the same book, which was fun. I'm grateful to have known him.  

Today I lost my oldest friend. I’ll miss his wit,intellect and humor. From kindergarten to lunch at the Jersey shore, it has been a treasure being your friend. RIP Marty. 


Joan, Lauren, Ari - 

I’m so very sorry for your loss. Marty left a lasting legacy in the Free Acres community and he will always be remembered fondly for his intelligence, kindness, and sometimes unexpected sense of humor. RIP Marty. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. 

Sincerely,
Matt Netter and family

 Marty was someone I respected and admired. From our days in elementary school, thru Hillside High School. He remained grounded and a good friend.   Never changed in his adult life,  always was real.

 May he Rest in Peace

 Richard Kramer









We are heartbroken to hear this news. What an intelligent, gifted, community minded, leader in the Free Acres community. We extend our love and support to all of you. May his memory always be for a blessing. 

Love, Grace, Ken and Jade Chan

This is Marty's picture from the 1963 Hillside High School Epoch yearbook! May his memory be a Blessing!! J. Mandy(HHS Class of '71)

Such sad news. Marty was a uniquely intellectually curious, public servant and a wonderful person  to know.

Marty was fortunate to have such a wonderful life surrounded by his beautiful family. He was so proud of his daughters, who are my lifelong friends. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to Joan, Lauren and Ariel.

So so sorry to hear of Marty’s passing. We met and became friends almost 45 years ago when Jim and Marty were working on a case together. Marty and Joan have remained close friends over all these years. What a mensh. He will be sorely missed. Our warmest condolences to the whole family. Sent with love. Jim Klein and Addy Schultz

I have know Marty since I was about 10 years old. Joan was my next door neighbor in Hillside. 
Fast forward 50 years and my husband Larry and I became neighbors with Joan and Marty again, this time in Long Branch. It was always such a pleasure to see them. 
Marty had a very difficult year, health wise, so we didn’t see them all summer. I am so grateful that Larry and I did see Joan and Marty in September on the boardwalk and spent some time catching up with them. 
We are both so sad to hear the news of Marty’s passing. 
He was a wonderful, smart, and funny guy and will be greatly missed. 

💔Lori and Larry Feigenbaum 

We are so sorry to hear the passing of Marty. He was such an important person in Free Acres and will be remembered. Our condolences to Joan and family..  Yvonne and Nick Kleinberg 

Marty will be missed by many. He was such an influencal figure in the planning and transportation world, and a mentor to those of us coming up behind him. My love to the Bierbaum family.

Marty was an icon to me. His intelligence & calm demeanor always impressed & fascinated me. His love of family & friends was obvious & sweet.  I count both Marty & Joan as dear friends. Sending love. 

Very saddened to hear this news after 60 years of friendship, and words fail me. My condolenceds to Joan, their chidren, and his many friends. 

I am so sorry to hear this. Worked with Marty at NJDEP, and as a planner by education if not practice, loved discussing planning, smart growth, politics and more with him. 

I had the great fortune of working with Marty at the Municipal Land Use Center at TCNJ.  In addition to his brilliance, he was one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever known.  His love for his family and his dedication to his work will be a legacy which will remain in the hearts and minds of all who were lucky enough to call him a friend, mentor and teacher. He will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathies to his loving family, especially his wife Joan.
Winnie and Pat Fatton




You'll be missed, Marty. Sending hugs and healing thoughts to Joan and the family.

OBITUARY

Martin Alan Bierbaum

July 13, 1945 – November 6, 2022

Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels

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