Martin (Marty) Victor Drozdoff said, “Hasta la vista!” to his body at age 78 on Jan. 14, 2026. He valiantly fought idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for eleven years, which was many years longer than expected for those facing the disease. In the face of his illness, he continued many meaningful endeavors throughout the remainder of his life, including completing two books.
A New York native, Marty spent his early life in the northeast with his parents, three sisters, and extended family. Marty was a first-generation college graduate and had a bachelor’s degree from the State University College of Brockport, New York, a Master of Arts Degree from New York University, and a Master of Science Degree from Baruch College, and for personal interest, even had formal training in wine tasting.
While his initial professional passions were in anthropology and archeology, he unexpectedly began a career in special education in his early twenties. Marty was 24 when he met the love of his life, Marsha Reba Stein, and relocated to sunny Tucson, Arizona, years later with the impending birth of his first daughter, Jacquelyn, in 1980.
Marty was a lover of teaching and learning, and continued on his path as a deeply dedicated special education teacher, transforming the lives of countless students, both homebound and in the classroom (with an emphasis on high school students) for over three decades.
His spirit of adventure and commitment to furthering his own education took him to far-reaching countries such as Tajikistan, Turkey, and Ethiopia on numerous scholarships (including two from the Fulbright Scholar Program). An enthusiastic and robust world traveler, Marty journeyed to nearly 50 countries across the globe (often with Marsha).
Marty was a passionate, dedicated Buddhist and a proud member of Soka Gakkai International (SGI). For more than fifty years, he joyfully worked to help others face challenges head-on and to promote peace in big and small ways. Carrying on from his childhood yeshiva training, Marty also maintained a deep connection to his Jewish roots, celebrating Jewish holidays and culture, and impressively maintaining the ability to recite prayers in Hebrew.
Marty enjoyed an enviable collection of passions with gusto, especially following his early retirement at age 57. These included tango (including attending numerous milongas in Argentina), Zumba, cycling, swimming, engaging in politics (including running for the state legislature), and conversing in languages including Spanish, French, Yiddish, and even Quechua. He was a deeply devoted bargain hunter and had great fun regularly frequenting the dollar store.
Marty was married to his soulmate Marsha for over 52 years, and during this time, they always were the first — and sometimes the only ones — on the dance floor. He was the son of Joseph, a Russian immigrant, and Ruth Drozdoff, and brother to three sisters: Barbara, Frances and Sharon (all deceased).
A true character, Marty was an adventurer and nonconformist with a heart of gold, who cared deeply about people and helping to make their lives better. He will be fondly remembered for his humor, kindness, openness, curiosity and deep love for family. He will be forever loved and remembered by his three Drozdoff women: Marsha, Rachael and Jacquelyn, his beloved granddaughter Olivia and son-in-law Leon, family, friends and countless others.
His new book, The Honeymoon Express can be found on Amazon and his family welcomes donations in Marty’s honor to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.
Happy trails, Marty! Until we meet again
