Martha Slack Kinkead, Class of 1963

Martha Slack Kinkead ’63 died Feb. 6, 2021. She was born may 14, 1941 to the late Robert & Helen Van Sickle Slack ’34. She was a graduate of Westerville High School class of 1959 and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Otterbein College in 1963 where she was in the band, choir and Kappa Phi Omega (Onyx) sorority.

Marty taught at Westerville City Schools (1966 – 1998). She was a 50+ Member of the Church of the Messiah and the Membership Chair for Franklin County Retired Teachers, guide at the Hanby House, Secretary of the Lion’s Club, and served on planning committees for numerous high school and college reunions. Marty loved horses and dogs. She rode horses whenever possible and was a great supporter of the PennVet New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania and Old Friends Retired Thoroughbred Farm in Kentucky. Marty also adopted and cared for 6 rescue dogs over her lifetime.

She loved music and was musically talented. She had a beautiful soprano voice and enjoyed playing the cymbals, oboe & flute. During high school, she was selected as a member of the All-Ohio State Fair Band & All-Ohio Youth Choir. While at Otterbein, Marty was a member of the A Capella Choir under the direction of Dr. Richard Chamberlin (“Prof Chamberlin”). She cherished this time with the choir, and she often talked about the choir’s extensive tours in the United States, including a performance at the Pentagon and an appearance with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. After college, Marty was honored to be selected as a member of the Columbus Symphony Chorus, and she cherished her time as a member of the Westerville Community Band (20+ years/Oboe).

Preceded in death by her parents, her husband Albert Kinkead and great-aunt Anna Hortense Potts ’13 the Dean of Women and Assistant Professor of Religious Education at Otterbein from 1929-1933. Marty was very proud of her Otterbein Legacy.

Marty is survived by her children, Marsha ’94 (Jeff) Siefker and John ’97 (Rachelle Chestnut ’98) Kinkead; Grandchildren, Jeffrey Siefker and Mollie Kinkead; and by many close friends, cousins, and family members.