So very sorry that the world has lost such a wonderful person. She was both colleague and supervisor to my wife and me during our DLI careers, and remained in our lives as a good and respected friend as each of us retired. We will miss her infallible recall of professional events and especially her friendship and her dry wit that would always emerge when we met for a lunch date. RIP.
Martha was a legend and one of DLIs’ pillars. She may be best remembered for embodying knowledge, humility, and positivity among everyone that knew her. Martha had a profound impact as a mentor and friend on the life and the career of many and was an inspiring, curious force as a testing expert and academic leader alike.
She was recognized as an authority on the ILR throughout both the American government and the academia. Nabih and I have always enjoyed our ILR related discussions with her.
She had a major impact on my experience and Nabih’s in testing. We owe her a lot and will always remember her as a dear friend. We were blessed to have been able to keep contact with her. She will be thoroughly missed.
Martha was a friend, a colleague and most of all a mentor to me. I first knew her in 2001 when I joined ES for DLPT 5. We continued working together online after her retirement in 2004 up until only a few years ago. She was not only notably intelligent and knowledgable and a legend in her field but she was also kind decent caring with a flare of passion and love for all mankind.
On behalf of the entire ILR community, as well as my colleagues here in the Washington Office of Defense Language Institute, I wish to express our great sadness for the loss, both personally and professionally, of Martha Herzog. We are all better teachers AND students of language because of her efforts and excellence.
She made many contributions to the DLI and to the ILR. In 1986, I inherited a CAL project to develop a DLPT III in Romanian in 1986. I went to Monterey to meet Martha. She went over the history of DLPTs at the DLI, the DLPT III, and the desired content for each section of the test, etc. The project worked out well, in good part because she was knowledgeable, careful and alert.
There are times in your life when a person crosses your path and they are so extraordinary that you can remember that precise moment. Martha was such a person, a beautiful witty soul that was packed into a small package. Soft spoken and yet her presence would speak volumes.
Martha volunteered at Carmel Hills and held a bi-monthly social circle where all were welcomed. Residents who were hard to reach or reluctant to speak about themselves would open up to Martha when she asked something about their life.
Martha will be missed and if she were reading this today she would be chiding me about seeing her in this manner. Yet, I know she would understand that some things need to be said.
Martha was one of the pioneer women leaders at DLI. I was fortunate to have worked with her and to have had her support and mentorship in 1985-88, when DLI became the leading Foreign Language Center. She really was a leader in many ways and an inspiration to women.
Almost two years late, I discover that the world became a bit dimmer when Martha departed. It was a complete honor to have been a colleague with Martha and I enjoyed being able to exchange letters with her for decades after leaving DLIFLC. I know I won't be the only one to miss her, but I truly feel that Martha will be with us all in spirit for all the days to come.
Martha was an extraordinary intellect and a special person to know. Bless her and the memories she left us with.
