Thomas Van Martin, age 75, of Upperville, VA, passed away at his home on March 17, 2023.

His beloved wife, Laura Paugh, preceded him in April of 2022.

He is survived by his daughter, Sara Martin and her spouse, and their two children; his son Sean Martin; and his three nieces, April, Linda, and Anne, and their families.

Son of William Jennings Martin and Sara Jane Hendricks Martin, Thomas was born March 4, 1948, at Sibley Hospital in Washington DC. Tom pursued his love of science, earning a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in Space Science.  He was an expert in orbit determination, having contributed to the first mapping of ice sheets in Antarctica and to the GPS technology that drives mobile mapping software around the world. Tom developed and then sold his software to Universities and Scientists around the world.

Tom was known by those who met him as kind and generous. In all aspects of life, Tom believed that if it was worth doing, it was worth doing right. He loved history, old movies, taking road trips with his wife, and telling stories, especially of his time in German wine cellars in the 1960's.

Family was, by far, the most important thing to Tom. Even as a young man, he loved spending time with his nieces.  That love helped guide him to his beloved wife Laura; she thought the adoration he had for his nieces was charming.  He was a devoted husband, picking Laura up and taking her to lunch almost every day. He loved his children, sharing his favorite tv shows and teaching them how to drive. He enjoyed exploring the history of his family and had file cabinets full of genealogical documentation. In his last years, Tom thoroughly relished his role as a grandfather to his grandchildren, letting them play with his iPad, buying them superhero costumes, and as a willing tea party participant.

The family will hold a celebration of Tom's life on June 10, 2023 at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Heart Association.

All arrangements are handled by McKee Funeral Home, Augusta, WV.