Martha (Marty) Chave Yopp

Lady Lake, Florida

April 21, 1943 — April 20, 2024

Martha (Marty) Chave Yopp will be remembered as a remarkable daughter, family member, friend, mentor and educator. She was well known for her positive, encouraging, can-do approach to both her personal and professional lives.

Always endeavoring to do her best, she left an indelible impression on the people she touched. At all times she met life head-on, and let no opportunity be wasted.

Marty was born in Portland on April 21, 1943, to Thomas and Dorothy Chave, and peacefully passed away at her home in Lady Lake, Florida, on April 20. She was surrounded by a special group of treasured and loving friends who cared for her in her declining years.

Growing up in the small town of Seaside, her life was rich with opportunities to develop her leadership qualities and begin to explore life goals. During high school, she served as an officer in multiple organizations and committees.

After graduating from high school in 1961, she attended Marylhurst College, the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education.

There she met her first husband, Dick Bagby, with whom she moved to Portland, where she taught in a small country school and enrolled in Portland State University’s masters program, which she completed in 1971.

A new employment opportunity presented itself when a former college roommate suggested Marty apply for a job as administrative assistant for Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. She was accepted for the position, and worked for Justice Douglas for five years, where her organizational skills and business acumen were instrumental in a very successful tenure with the Justice.

In 1975 Marty met her second husband, Dewey Yopp.

In 1979, while continuing to work for Justice Douglas, she was accepted into the doctorate program in education at George Washington University, which she completed in April 1981.

During the latter year of the program, Marty joined the faculty at Lake City Community College in Florida, where she was director of Resource Development from 1978 to 1979, and instructor and chairwoman of the Business Education Department from 1980 to 1986.

Among her many accomplishments at Lake City Community College were prolific grant writing, as well as developing and teaching an off-site computer class in association with one of the local prisons.

In 1986, Marty joined the faculty of the of University of Idaho. She always enjoyed a challenge, and embraced new technology as the computer field increased rapidly. She was a pioneer in the field of remote learning, and thrived on being able to bring new ideas and innovations to the educational system and to her students.

Her gifts and talents in this area, coupled with her desire to offer students the highest level of learning in the ever-evolving field of technology, increased the mastery of all those she worked with. Marty retired in 2010 as a tenured professor from the College of Education at the University of Idaho.

In addition to her full and rewarding professional life, Marty always enjoyed spending time with friends, enjoying live music and dancing. She found constant companionship in her students, colleagues in the PEO, friends, family and many schnauzers over the years.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 3 at Calvary Episcopal Church in Seaside.