David K. Martinson

Poet and NDSU English Department scholar David Keith Martinson, of Fargo, ND, passed away Sunday afternoon at his home.
Born in San Diego May 13, 1946, David lived and worked on the Minnesota and North Dakota prairie. His colleagues and his students will remember him as an inspiring mentor with a creative mind, a discerning ear, and a vibrant voice. While at NDSU, he was the recipient of several teaching awards.
Beyond the office and the classroom, David Martinson will probably best be remembered for his poetry. Since the 1970's, he shared his animated public presence and lively poetic style, reading in small venues such as bookstores and coffee shops, and also participating in prominent professional reading circuits such as Minnesota Out Loud and the Smith Park Poetry series. Always involved in the community of writers and ever concerned with bringing poetry to the public, David worked hard since 1985 editing and publishing Aluminum Canoe, a journal dedicated to contemporary poetry. He was a Poetry Fellow twice with the Minnesota State Arts Council and three times a Writer/Poet in Residence. One of those Residencies was with the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and another with the Duluth Indian Education Department. His poetry has been published widely in a variety of magazines, journals, and anthologies.
Since 2001, David owned and ran his own bookstore, Great Northern Books, which dealt in used and collectible books. Beginning in 1991, David was curator of books and manuscripts by North Dakota poet Tom McGrath. A lifelong aficionado of regional literature, he was a noted collector of the genre and a respected expert in the field. David was a lover of art, music, and theater and served in many capacities in support of the arts community including the North Dakota Humanities Council.


David and Carol were married in January of 2005 in Superior, AZ. He liked canoeing, camping, and hiking with his family. He loved to visit thrift stores. He was a wonderful traveling companion, for trips near and far. To all, he was generous, kind and gracious.


David is survived by his wife Carol; step-sons Andrew (Jenessa) Pearson and Erick (Laura) Pearson; step-daughter Tacye Pearson; sister Linda (Leif) Erickson; nephew Hans (Heather) Erickson and great nieces Silje and Elin; sisters and brothers-in-law Dale
His parents, Henry M. and Rosella G. Martinson, preceded him in death.