Martin Cramer

Of Bethesda, MD on February 12, 2017. After earning a Bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester, he enlisted early in the Second World War where he earned a distinguished flying cross as a navigator in the 8th Army Air Corp. After his service he earned his Master's from Tufts University. A dedicated civil servant, he worked in the Foreign Service Reserve Officer Corp., and other departments of the U.S. State Department. He was eager and able to travel, living and working in India, Japan, Greece, Africa, and Colombia. A loyal family man, he was at his happiest and most charming when surrounded by his family and inventing a good pun. He always said the pun is mightier than the sword. He was an avid reader and life-long learner, loved listening to jazz and attending classical music concerts with Marilyn throughout their 64 years of marriage. He was predeceased by daughter Helen Lane. Called affectionately Bapu, he will be deeply missed by his wife, Marilyn; daughters, Susan and her god-daughters, Sylvie and Danielle; Irene and husband Steven Goldberg and their children Hannah and Gillian;, close family friend, Pascale; and sons, Bruce; Richard; and Kenneth and his wife, Carla Matlin and their children, Eric, Ian and Alexis; and grandson, James Lane III. Services will be at Arlington National Cemetery on a date to be announced.