Dr. Martin L. Fackler, Jr. M.D. passed away on May 23, 2015 in Gainesville. Born in York, PA on April 8, 1933, Dr. Fackler was a physician, surgeon and renowned specialist in wound ballistics. He received his Bachelors from Gettysburg College, and graduated with his Medical Degree from Yale University. He completed his residencies at the Naval Hospitals in Boston, and Bethesda in General and Plastic Surgeries, and completed his fellowship with the University of Hamburg in Germany.
During his 30 year military career, he was a Naval Staff Surgeon in Vietnam, Japan, and Germany, and Chief of Surgery in Memphis, TN, and Germany. After 15 years with the Navy, Dr. Fackler joined the Army where he was Chief of Surgery in Ft. Carson, CO and Staff Surgeon in San Francisco, CA. He was Director of the Wound Ballistics Laboratory at the Letterman Army Institute of Research in San Francisco until 1991, when he became an independent consultant to law enforcement and military officials worldwide, testifying as a wound expert in cases spanning the United States, Canada, England and Ireland.
He has been a member and leader of numerous distinguished organizations, among them the International Wound Ballistics Association, the French Wound Ballistics Society and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Dr. Fackler had numerous teaching appointments in Tennessee, Maryland, California, Florida, and France and was the author of over 300 publications in regards to wound ballistics, body armor, and treatment of injuries for both the military and civilian populations.
Outside of his profession, Dr. Fackler enjoyed flying, scuba diving, tennis and studying languages. He was active with the University of Florida, serving on Boards for the UF Foundation, UF Performing Arts, and College of Medicine, and was the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Achievement Award.
Marty is survived by his wife, Sandra Fox Fackler of Gainesville, stepson Eric Melching of Ponte Vedra, FL, family in Pennsylvania and friends across the country and world.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to University of Florida Performing Arts, PO Box 112750, Gainesville, FL 32611.
A Celebration of Life will held on Friday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m., Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 100 NE 1st Street Gainesville, FL. With a reception following in the Fackler Foyers at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts immediately following 3201 Hull Road Gainesville, FL.
