2012 Year in Review: 'He Was Superman': Hundreds Remember Drake Martin, UNI Employee Who Died Hiking in Backbone State Park

This is a reprinting of a story that originally ran Aug. 9. We are sharing some of the top stories on Cedar Falls Patch in 2012.

Read more about the year in review.

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Several hundred people gathered on the University of Northern Iowa campus today to remember the life of Drake Martin, a UNI employee who died in a fall at Backbone State Park on July 28.

"Our dad's life was pretty much UNI. He loved it here," his daughter Riley Martin said during the ceremony. "I think this is what it took to see how many people he affected, but it's humbling and inspiring."

Panther purple was the dominant clothing color in the crowd, illustrating Martin's profound impact on the campus community.

Martin, 62, was assistant director for residence education at UNI. Throughout his 31 years at the university, he interacted with hundreds of students and worked with countless Residence Assistants in the dorms.

Laughter prevailed over tears as community members shared memories of Martin's life. Martin, they said, was full of jokes and joy, and that was the way they memorialized him.

Michael Fleming said he had played racquetball with Martin twice a week for years. He described the happiness Martin spread in everyday life, even walking down the hall at the Recreation Center where they played.

"It was like he was sprinkling puns and laughter as he went down the hall," he said.

Many people mentioned Martin's love of puns and his way with words.

"He was the Jedi master of puns," T.J. Warren said. "I wanted to be his apprentice."

He said Martin inspired him.

"I believe Drake was a superman," he said. "A superman who always encouraged us to look up into the sky, to dream big and aspire to more."

Several of Martin's family members spoke and thanked the community for their support.

"Drake loved being here, he loved everybody he worked with. Thank you so much," his sister Diane Schroeder said.

The program for the ceremony included one of Drake's favorite recipes for apple crisp, quotes from some of those who knew him, and Martin's guiding principles.

Co-worker and friend Lyn Redington shared the story behind the principles. She and Martin were recently at a work training session where everyone was asked to write their guiding beliefs. Martin turned in the final draft of his principles on Thursday, just three days before he died.

"The power of grace offers new hope in the midst of darkness," he wrote.