Martin Daniel Feeney
January 03, 2020
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Service Details
Martin Daniel Feeney, 71, beloved husband, father and professor, died January 3, 2020. His family will celebrate his life on Saturday, January 11, 2020, with a visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, and the memorial service later that day at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 10395 University Ave., in Clive.
Marty was born on March 10, 1948 to Pearl (LaFontaine) and Robert E. Feeney in Boston, MA. He graduated from Boston College High School and received his bachelor’s degree in communication and theatre studies from Boston College. He then joined the U.S. Navy and served in the submarine service on The George C. Marshall Polaris Missile Sub during the Vietnam War.
Marty returned to school and earned his Master’s and PhD in communication and media studies from Bowling Green State University in Ohio with his ambitious dissertation on the art of rhetorical criticism in film, rock music, and the novel.
Over the course of his decades-long teaching career at Monmouth College (Monmouth, IL), Central College (Pella, IA), and Simpson College (Indianola, IA), Marty gave thousands of students the joys of lively classroom discussions, Letterman-style top-10 lists, and his famous mason jars filled with Hershey bars to reward great work.
He filled his life outside of work with many other passions. Marty was a lifelong athlete and runner; he won 104 medals at the Iowa Senior Olympics and was a gold medalist in the 2009 Governor’s Cup race in Des Moines, IA. He directed over 20 plays and as a young student, he won the New England Drama Association’s "Best Play" award for his co-authored play titled "18th Noel."
Marty above all was a devoted husband and father adored by his family. This brilliant, dedicated, caring and compassionate man will be greatly missed by his wife of 35 years, Susan Eggert; children, Rob (Caitlin) Feeney and Caroline (Tim Crawford) Feeney; his sister, Pearlan (Otto Grater) Feeney-Grater; grandson, Nolan Charles Feeney; his nieces and nephew; and his students. Marty was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be directed to the Speech and Debate Program at Simpson College, 701 North C. Street, Indianola, IA 50125. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
James Breckenridge
01/07/2020
We have so many teachers in our lives, that few are able to make a lasting impression like Professor Feeney did. He did such a great job at making the class look at the world differently.
I remember doing a presentation on Big & Rich and he jokingly told the class I was in the classroom at midnight rehearsing. Little did he know that I actually was! I was the first presentation of the day and I wanted to rehearse my music cues. Well the practice paid off...I still have my mason jar award for the best music presentation! Thank you for being such an amazing professor. The world lost a great one!
Elizabeth Hollinger
01/07/2020
Mr Marty Feeney thank you for helping me with my commencement speech and inspiring me to be courageous when I wanted to hide. Thank you for demonstrating the best outcome in the worst case scenario and always taking time to be supportive.
We will never forget you.
Denise Bostdorff
01/07/2020
Dear Susan and Family: My husband, Dan O'Rourke, and I were both saddened yesterday to hear of Marty's death. When I competed at BGSU, Marty was already gone, but he came back every spring to cheer us on at nationals and to make his clever, creative movies. Today when I went to my campus for the first time in ten days, I found a package from Marty that he had sent to me sitting in my mailbox: a DVD of film clips he had taken at nationals my last year, interspliced at the start with still photos that I had taken. It was an act of generosity that I appreciate all the more today. Because Marty was such a force of nature, it's hard to believe that he's gone, but his spirit lives on through all of you. I know he loved you very much.
Jim and Louise Zaffiro
01/07/2020
Dear Susan and family,
We are very sorry for your loss and will always remember Marty as an energetic, engaged, and passionate teacher and colleague. Marty taught me (Jim) a trick or two about how to be an effective classroom teacher.
He will be missed.
James Hekel
01/07/2020
Thank you, dear family for sharing your brother, father, grandfather, and uncle with us, his students. His presence in our life was disproportionate with yours both in scale and importance, but also impossible without you. And your sacrifice of his time. So, we thank you. Know that it was not in vain. We carry a smaller part of his life's legacy, our education, into this new world without him, because of you.
Bronwen Duffield
01/07/2020
Dear Feeney family,
I met Marty during my study abroad experience at Central in 2004. His lectures were inspiring, the (flying) mason jars well remembered and his passion for teaching clear throughout. Marty helped make my time at Central one of my best student experiences to date, and I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
My warmest regards at this time.
Bronwen
Travis
01/06/2020
I knew Marty through Rob. I did not know him well; the few times we spent in company though, I saw a lot of his spirit in him sense of humor, inquisition, and wit.
It was also easy to see how loved he was and how much he loved his family.
To all the Feeneys, deepest of sympathies.
Kevin W. Dean
01/06/2020
Dear Susan and Family,
The news of your loss generates many moist eyes. Kenda (Miami 81) & I hold many cherished moments with Marty. I was active on the BG forensics team in 80/81. Marty came back both years to help prep us for nationals and work with Keith to create some of the fondest memories of my undergraduate career: THE movies. Rock-IE, The Doc Father sequence, The Petunia and Citizen Yeager....the creativity and laughter were unbounded. Marty's dedication, devotion, and kindness towards all of us made such an impact. A favorite possession remains our team picture from the 1980 NFA Nationals (Marty traveled with us) which hangs on my office wall. In my faith practice, I can imagine heaven a little more joyous as Marty, Doc Yeager and Tom Ricky raise a toast for a life well lived: 1/100!
Ralph Carbone
01/06/2020
I first met Marty when he came to Bowling Green for grad school. We became quick and fast friends. We also played softball in the summer for the Communication Department team: Ricky's Raiders. My condolences go out to his immediate family as well as his forensics family.
Andy Powell
01/06/2020
Susan and family, its impossible for me to imagine the world without the bright joyful light that Marty brought to every minute that I knew him. He was my coach and colleague at BG at a time that seems just a few years ago. He touched my heart and my life in more ways than I can express. Always in my heart.
Tina Gray
01/06/2020
Marty was one of the main reasons I chose to go to Central after spending time with him at Upward Bound in the early '90s. His passion and dedication to his students was hard to beat. He encouraged me.. pushed me... leading to me being the editor of The Ray in '97. I learned so much working with him - dealing with the pressure of deadlines, working with a team, designing, writing, editing - all of what I do in my career, I owe to him being a mentor. You will be missed, my friend.
Angela (Vander Werf) Kruse
01/06/2020
When you think back to one of those teachers or professors who truly helped shape you; who pushed you to push the limits; whose sense of humor is a quirky as yours; who one-ups you with quick-witted comebacks; who laughs with you like you have your own inside jokes; whose sense of humor matched his impressive professional achievements and intelligence; who showed up as a positive and influential male figure in your young years.
This was Mr. Marty Feeney. Gone too early, and remembering you with a smile and will be praying for your family.
Chris Reynolds
01/06/2020
Please accept my condolences on Marty's death. Marty's influence on the direction of my life was and still is profound. I first met him as an unsure freshperson on the BGSU speech team. Four decades later I still benefit from his lessons. His lifelight burned strong and brightly, never to be diminished for those of us who knew him.
Ross Vander Werf
01/06/2020
Watch out, watch out! Marty would shout as a peanut butter cup or candy bar sailed two inches above our heads. He signed emails with character names like Travis Bickle.
Ill forever remember Martys sense of humor, brilliance, and encouraging spirit. Also his refreshing irreverence at times.
Youre in my heart, teacher. Sorry to hear this.
Michael Bashem
01/06/2020
I am very saddened to hear of Martys passing. He was quite the character and a very nice man. This is such a shame. Bless his soul.