The Honorable Augustus Christian Martin, 68, of Ladson, S.C., died February 15, 2013. Born in Macungie, he was the son of the late Edward H. Martin and the late Jennie M. Hammond.

After graduating from Emmaus High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served more than seven years on active duty in the submarine service. After leaving the Navy, he obtained an associate degree in electrical and electronics technology from Penn State University and began a 32-year career with Pennsylvania Power & Light Company in 1970. During his career at PP&L he attended night school and received a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Lafayette College, and an Master of Business Administration from Lehigh University, and a Juris Doctorate from Temple University.

He received his professional engineer's license in 1977 and was admitted to the Bar in 1986. After admission, he was actively involved in Bar Association activities, including serving as president of the Bar Association of Lehigh County. He was the first corporate counsel to serve as president and believed all lawyers, regardless of their employment, should not only support, but also be involved in Bar Association activities to ensure high ethical and professional standards.

A dynamic advocate for the local community, he served as a member and president of the East Penn School Board and as well as a trustee, vice chairman and chairman of the Lehigh Carbon Community College Board.

He also served as Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 71 in Macungie. Known to family and friends as "Gus," he traveled to Japan many times over the last 20 years to study the martial art of ninjutsu. Having achieved the level of 13th dan, he studied the art from the perspective of a multi-dimensional and professional background. He helped many other students see the value of using ninjutsu as a basis for self-development by applying tenets of the art to a broader spectrum of life.

He is survived by a daughter, Kim and her husband Peter Korda, of Larchmont, N.Y.; two sons, Andrew C. and his wife Margaret, of Alexandria, Va., and Jonathan R. and his wife Denise, of Bordentown, N.J.; five grandchildren, Samantha, Alexander, Cara, Jessica, Isabella; sister, Betty; four brothers, Ed, Bob, Jim and his twin brother, Ben.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org), Children of Fallen Patriots (www.fallenpatriots.org) or the United States Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation (www.ussvi.org).

Arrangements were made by the Schantz Funeral Home Inc., Emmaus.