Doc you were the best thanks for being there for all of us kids.  Will always remember your contagious enthusiasm and the “get on your horse and ride” from across the track. Thank you,   Sydney Naylor

Doc was my coach, friend and mentor. He will be missed, but is in the presence of the Lord and our Savior. RIP Doc

Doc was an incredible teacher and person, an absolute treasure! There are those people who give such color and light to the world that it is impossible to imagine a world without them in it…Doc was one of them! A truly kind, honest and hardworking man. I was honored to know him. My condolences to the Langan family. 

To all the family and friends of Doc - thank you for the beautiful service and memorial today. 

John, you said it so well in the Eulogy, that your father saw the potential in each person and was a powerful motivator to encourage each person to reach their highest potential. 

He was my cross-country and track and field coach in the 90's and through his guidance and motivation, managed to get me to break two school records in distance running. I only kept one of those records for a year, as he inspired my good friend and fellow runner to break it the year after I graduated. 

We all have such fond memories of Doc and his stopwatch, yelling after us to catch the competition, and actually calling them by name - I remember running faster just so he would stop shouting their last names ("Catch SoandSo! Get'her!") on the side of the track, and making sure I poured my heart out to win the race and not disappoint him.

He also was my World Religions teacher, and ignited a love of learning about other cultures and their spiritual beliefs.

Doc was a truly formative figure in my high school years and I am so grateful for his presence in my life. I am certain that my sentiments are shared by countless other SM athletes and colleagues.

We love you Doc!

I feel very lucky and honored to have known Doc. I loved listening to his interesting stories and thoroughly enjoyed our conversations about his experiences around the world, especially his time in Taiwan and his many years of teaching. I will remember how he always made me feel welcome from the first day we met. 

My deepest condolences to the Langan family. He will be truly missed.

Doc was the kind of coach and teacher that you see in movies. He taught our cross-country team some of the important fundamentals of life; be on time, work hard, and care for each other. Doc inspired a life long love of running in me that has played an important role in my life. He was my first Mandarin-Chinese teacher who encouraged me to "Pull back that bamboo curtain." Doc Langan was a major influence on my development and life. I will be forever grateful to him for his mentorship and kindness.

When Doc Langan arrived at St. Mary's High School, he brought not only his New York accent and outstanding command of the Chinese language but also his love of learning and sharing knowledge. I will remember him as a kind and caring friend and colleague.  

Doc, you were one of a kind.



Doc was an inspiration to me as a young teacher at St. Mary's.  I admired his dedication and wisdom. I have warm memories of times we spent together with the cross country and track teams. It brings a smile to my face to remember him telling --or even hollering at-- the runners to have intestinal fortitude. 

I am blessed to have shared this chapter of life with him! 

Doc was a wonderful human being, teacher, and mentor who always encouraged me to do my best. My sincere condolences to the Langan family. I am comforted in knowing that Doc’s soul is at rest and that he has established a legacy that will live on for many years to come. 

Dear Langan Family,
Heartfelt condolences to you.
At St. Mary’s High School, Doc touched countless lives including ours. We remember him as a dedicated History teacher who taught us how to carry on a casual Chinese conversation between two friends. We remember him as a cross-country and track coach who encouraged us to persevere and dig deep for our “intestinal fortitude.” But mostly, we remember him as a gentle and caring constant who helped usher us through our teen years. We feel lucky to have known him.

Doc's strength of character comes from his love for his family, the way he championed generations of young men and women to embrace the participation in track and field and cross country running, and the passion and wisdom and hands on experiences used to bring excitement to his lectures in Modern World History.  "Doc" is a name synonymous with kindness, empathy, warmth and understanding...virtues that remain meaningful, to this day.

I will always remember the passion and influence of Doc- as a teacher and a cross country coach. Teaching us Chinese, running with us, teaching us to blow snot rockets (which at the time i thought was the most disgusting thing, but later in life realized the practical nature of 😆) and in excitement shouting frequently at races for us to "get on your horse!" I am thankful for Doc's investment into my life and the lives of my classmates and fellow runners. Doc's time, stories, and the dedication made me, in part, who I am today.

Praying for family and friends during this time.

I had the pleasure of having Doc as both teacher and coach while I was in high school at St. Mary's. He was one of a small cadre of highly influential teachers in my youth. Whether it was teaching on China and Japan, coaching Cross Country and Track, or facilitating the Model United Nations team, Doc was always a slightly zany, passionate influence on generations of St. Mary's students. His memory will live on in his students.
 

I was so sad to hear of Doc's passing.  Whenever hanging out in the Langan household, you knew you were in for a compelling and interesting conversation.  Doc asked great questions and had unique ideas.  I remember the time he recommended I look into becoming a diplomat.  I laugh now because I would have been a terrible diplomat.  Easily homesick.  But conversations like that always expanded my horizons.  It made me feel more capable than I felt at the time.  

I am truly grateful to have been his student and even more grateful to be considered a close friend of his son.  It's a relationship I've cherished over 20 years.  John, my condolences to you and your family.  Rest in Peace, Doc.  

I am so sorry for your loss. Doc was my teacher, then my colleague and recently a neighbor. He was such an inspiration to all. When I last saw him I recited the Chinese dialogue he taught me my sophomore year. He was impressed that I remembered it. He truly was a servant of God, touching the lives of everyone he encountered. May he rest in peace. 

Doc was a legend at St. Mary’s! Everyone loved him and his endless stories! I loved him as my History teacher in the ‘70’s and then was lucky enough to join him there as a teacher  in the ‘90’s. He was always so upbeat, happy, and supportive of his students and peers! Rest in peace dear friend! You deserve it now! 

‘Doc’, as we all called him at St. Mary’s, was a uniquely wonderful man. Great teacher, coach and, above all, friend. The memories are many as were the smiles and laughs. Those who knew him were lucky. There was nobody quite like Doc. Condolences to his family and prayers for him.

Pat and Jon Gustorf

Doc was a great man and an amazing mentor. When I was a rookie teacher he taught me the most valuable lesson…students come first. The world was richer because he was in it and he was unique. All who knew him were blessed to have Doc in their lives.

I am sad to hear this news.  I have so many fond memories of Doc from cross country and track.  I found sports I love, a place I belong and friends who I call family through cross country and track.   Doc was an instrumental part of my growth as a runner during high school, and motivated me to cultivate that passion beyond high school both in college and in coaching.  Thank you Doc!

My prayers and thoughts are with the Langan family during this  difficult time.

Such fond memories of working with Doc Langan at St. Mary’s. He was a wonderful and caring soul. My condolences to his family. 
Sincerely,
Therese Stack 💔

Dear Langan Family,
We have so many fond memories of “Doc” from our many years together at SM.   May the Lord comfort all of you during this difficult time.
Luigi and Karen Gherardi

OBITUARY

Dr. Martin "Doc" J. Langan

August 15, 1933 – April 20, 2023

DeYoung Memorial Chapel

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