Man of his word. 100th anniversary of prof. Marijonas Martynaitis

Man of his word. 100^th anniversary of prof. Marijonas Martynaitis

3 April marks the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Prof. Marijonas Martynaitis, Doctor of Technology, Rector of Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (Kaunas University of Technology since 1990) who was the head of this higher education school for 19 years. After the death of Prof. Kazimieras Baršauskas, he became the rector and actively continued the work and traditions started by his predecessor. On the occasion of the anniversary, Dr. Audronė Veilentienė, Head of KTU Museum, has prepared a virtual exhibition revealing the episodes of this individual’s life, work and relationship with the University.

Studies and complicated youth

In 1939, after graduating from Kaunas 3^rd State Gymnasium, he began his studies at the Technological Faculty of Vytautas Magnus University. When the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania, M. Martynaitis believed in Communist propaganda and joined the Young Communist League (Komsomol) in September 1940. From April 1941, he was the secretary of the University Komsomol, and on 22 June 1941, at the outbreak of the war between the Soviet Union and Germany, he fled to Russia. In 1942, M. Martynaitis completed a radio course at the Moscow Special School and in the summer of 1942, he was flown to German-occupied Lithuania with a group of Soviet partisans and parachuted near Užusaliai. M. Martynaitis soon left for Kaunas and lost contact with other members of the Soviet partisan group. According to his autobiography, he worked with the illegal Kaunas City and County Komsomol Committee in 1942-1944. In the summer of 1944, after the Soviet Union reoccupied Lithuania, M. Martynaitis started working as the head of the student section of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth Union of Lithuania (LLKJS), and from October to 20 June 1946, he was the secretary of the LLKJS for school affairs. He was dismissed from this position and expelled from Komsomol “as having failed to justify the confidence of the organisation”. At that time, Lithuania was in the midst of a guerrilla war, and the occupying Soviet army was launching repressions against the Lithuanian population aiming to crush the resistance. The leaders of the Komsomol were forced to go to the villages to agitate the population to join collective farms and take part in repressive actions. The unofficial reason for the dismissal of M. Martynaitis was his refusal to participate in such actions. As KPI Rector, Prof. M. Martynaitis avoided sharing his memories of his partisan activities and his work in the Central Committee of the LLKJS. In the book “Professor Marijonas Martynaitis in the Whirlpools of Change”, Algimantas Nakas wrote: “The Soviet regime, primitive but brutal propaganda, the physical and spiritual destruction of the nation, and the inhumane repressions undoubtedly disappointed many Komsomol activists, including Eduardas Mieželaitis and Marijonas Martynaitis”. M. Martynaitis returned to continue his studies at the Faculty of Chemical Technology of Kaunas State Vytautas Magnus University. During his studies, from 1947, he worked as a laboratory assistant at the Department of Inorganic Chemistry at the former Technological Faculty of Kaunas State Vytautas Magnus University. In 1949, M. Martynaitis became a member of the Communist Party, and in 1950-1951, he was the faculty’s Partorg (party organiser). He graduated from the University with honours in 1950 and, after obtaining a qualification as an engineer in silicate technology, he started working as an assistant at the Department of Silicate Technology.

At the end of 1950, Kaunas State Vytautas Magnus University was reorganised into Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (hereinafter – KPI), and its Faculty of Medicine was reorganised into Kaunas Institute of Medicine. In 1952, M. Martynaitis was admitted to doctoral studies at KPI, and he defended his candidate’s (now doctoral) dissertation on the topic “Physico-Mechanical and Physico-Chemical Research of the Anhydrite Cement of Gypsum from Kirdonys Area” in 1955. The thesis supervisor was Assoc. Prof. Julius Mituza.

Martinaičių šeima, apie 1923–1924 m. Pirmoje eilėje (iš kairės): sūnus Albinas, tėvas Aleksandras, mama Ona, sūnus Marijonas, dukra Genė, dukra Veronika; antroje eilėje: dukra Bronė, dukra Janina.

Kauno III gimnazijos mokinio M. Martynaičio asmens liudijimas, 1935 m.

Šeštoji Kauno III gimnazijos klasė, 1936 m. Paskutinėje eilėje antras iš dešinės Marijonas Martynaitis, priešpaskutinėje eilėje pirmas iš kairės Eduardas Mieželaitis, pirmoje eilėje viduryje Valdemaras Ginsburgas.

Brandos atestatų įteikimo ceremonijoje 1939 m. birželio 15 d. Pirmoje eilėje E. Mieželaitis ir M. Martynaitis.

Abiturientų išleistuvėse, 1939 m. Pirmoje eilėje 4-as iš kairės Juozas Banaitis, 8-as Augustinas Savickas; ketvirtoje eilėje 2-as – Eduardas Mieželaitis, 3-ias – M. Martynaitis, 8-as – V. Ginsburgas.

VDU Technikos fakulteto Statybos skyriaus studentai su prof. Jonu Šimoliūnu, 1939 m. lapkričio 26 d. Pirmoje eilėje 4-as iš dešinės stovi M. Martynaitis.

Vytauto Didžiojo universiteto Technikos fakulteto Statybos skyriaus studento M. Martynaičio studijų knygelė, 1939 m.

M. Martynaitis (stovi viduryje) tarp korporacijos „Fraternitas Baltiensis“ korporantų, 1939 m.

Kauno valstybinio Vytauto Didžiojo universiteto laboranto M. Martynaičio charakteristika, 1947 m. (KTU archyvas)

M. Martynaitis ir jo gyvenimo aprašymas, 1947 m. (KTU archyvas)

M. Martynaitis gina diplominį darbą KVVDU Cheminės technologijos fakultete, 1950 m. lapkričio 29 d.

M. Martynaičio KVVDU baigimo diplomas, 1950 m.

From assistant to rector

In 1955-1962, M. Martynaitis worked at the Department of Silicate Technology as a senior lecturer, associate professor and head of the department. In 1958, he was awarded the title of associate professor. After becoming head of the department in 1956, M. Martynaitis was appointed deputy of KPI Director Prof. K. Baršauskas for academic affairs, and in 1958-1964, he was the vice-rector of KPI for academic affairs. As vice-rector, he held the position of the head of the Department of Silicate Technology as a secondary job and worked on a voluntary basis. In 1962, when the number of jobs at the Rector’s Office increased, M. Martynaitis resigned from the position of the head of the department. After the death of the first rector of KPI, academician Kazimieras Baršauskas, M. Martynaitis took over the position in 1964. He proposed to ask the leadership of the Lithuanian SSR to grant the name of Prof. K Baršauskas to Kaunas Polytechnic Institute. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Lithuania (LKP) did not approve the naming of the institute after K. Baršauskas, and in 1974, after the death of A. Sniečkus, KPI was named after A. Sniečkus. Under the leadership of Prof. M. Martynaitis, KPI continued to develop dynamically by establishing new faculties: the Faculty of Automatics (1967), the Faculty of Engineering Economics (1968), the Preparatory Office (1969), the Faculty of Construction and Plumbing was established through the reorganisation of the Faculties of Plumbing and Construction (1971), and the Faculty of Computing Techniques (1977); the scope of research work expanded, and the research centre Vibrotechnika was established alongside the research centre Politechnika, which had been operating since 1962; teaching facilities were strengthened: the following buildings were constructed on the territory of KPI Student Campus: the Chambers of Construction (1965), Electronics (1967) and Chemical Technology (1970), the student cafe “Kolegos” (1973), the Experimental Workshop (1975), and a new dormitory was built every 2-3 years. A 130-bed prophylactic hospital was set up in one of them (1976). The construction began for the Faculty of Light Industry (1982), followed by the building of the Computing Chamber, etc. The rector, with his business-like management of the Rector’s Office and the deans, was able to earn the trust and respect of the entire community of the institute. He is remembered by those who worked with him as a particular, demanding and fair leader. Prof. M. Martynaitis continued the works started by Prof. K. Baršauskas. One of them was the establishment of KPI Museum in 1965. Under the leadership of the Rector Prof. M. Martynaitis, there was no restriction on the admission to KPI of persons who had been repressed by the Soviet authorities and those who had been exiled, or their children. The Institute also employed staff and teachers who had suffered at the hands of the Soviet authorities. KPI Rector Prof. M. Martynaitis was keen to provide the teaching process at KPI in the Lithuanian language and agitated the teachers to prepare textbooks and methodological tools for students in the Lithuanian language and have them printed as soon as possible. Prof. M. Martynaitis, alone or with co-authors, prepared and printed 6 textbooks and several methodological publications for students studying the technology of mineral binding materials. In addition to speciality textbooks and methodological tools, Prof. M. Martynaitis prepared, compiled or edited books on the history of higher education institutions, such as “Kazimieras Baršauskas” (1969), “Kaunas Polytechnic Institute” (1979), “KPI Faculty of Chemical Technology” (1987). Due to his health condition, Prof. M. Martynaitis resigned from the position of the rector of KPI in 1983 and after his retirement, returned to work at the Department of Silicate Technology.

Prorektorius M. Martynaitis su draugais ir kolegomis iš Cheminės technologijos fakulteto Jonu Vitkumi ir Vytautu Karpumi apie 1961 m.

KPI rektoratas, 1962 m. Sėdi (iš kairės): P. Švenčianas, O. Tučaitė, R. Chomskis, rektorius K. Baršauskas, M. Martynaitis, S. Vabalevičius. Stovi: J. Venskevičius, N. Vabalis, E. Vaineikis, N. Milenskis, H. Petrusevičius, L. Kumpikas, Č. Jakimavičius, R. Pesys.

KPI prorektoriai M. Martynaitis, H. Petrusevičius, komunistų partijos sekretorius P. Švenčianas ir prorektorius R. Chomskis, 1963 m.

Rektorius K. Baršauskas, prorektoriai M. Martynaitis, R. Chomskis, H. Petrusevičius prie bendrabučio statybos, 1963 m.

KPI rektoriaus prof. K. Baršausko laidotuvės Petrašiūnų kapinėse, 1964 m. (KTU fotoarchyvas)

Diplomų įteikimas KPI Vakarinio skyriaus studentams, 1964 m.

Sovietų okupacijos metais aukštųjų mokyklų kolektyvai turėjo dalyvauti sovietinėse demonstracijose. Nuotraukoje: KPI partinės organizacijos sekretorius P. Švenčianas, rektorius M. Martynaitis, prorektoriai R. Chomskis ir H. Petrusevičius žygiuoja demonstracijoje, 1964 m. (KTU fotoarchyvas)

KPI rektorius M. Martynaitis sveikina komjaunimo konferenciją,1964 m. (KTU fotoarchyvas)

LKP pirmojo sekretoriaus A. Sniečkaus apsilankymas KPI, 1965 m. (KTU muziejus)

KPI rektorius M. Martynaitis kalba prof. K. Baršausko mirties metinių paminėjime, 1965 m. (KTU fotoarchyvas)

Rektorius M. Martynaitis sveikina KPI festivalio dalyvius, 1965 m. (KTU fotoarchyvas)

KPI rektorato posėdis, 1966 m. Iš kairės: R. Jonušas, J. Deltuva, A. Čyras, R. Chomskis, M. Martynaitis, Č. Jakimavičius, P. Švenčianas, H. Petrusevičius, K. Paulauskas. (KTU fotoarchyvas)

Lietuvos SSR respublikinės premijos laureato diplomas, 1966 m.

Monrealio pasaulinėje parodoje EXPO-67 Kanadoje, 1967 m.

Rektorius M. Martynaitis sveikina prof. J. Janickį, toliau stovi prof. V. Zelionkaitė, 1967 m. (E. Katino nuotr., KTU fotoarchyvas)

Koplytstulpio prof. K. Baršauskui atidengimo iškilmės jo tėviškėje Gižuose 1970 m. (R. Žiemio nuotr., KTU fotoarchyvas)

Lietuvos SSR Aukštojo ir specialiojo mokslo ministras H. Zabulis ir KPI rektorius M. Martynaitis KPI mokslo dienų renginyje Maskvoje, 1971 m. (R. Žiemio nuotr., KTU fotoarchyvas)

KPI rektorius M. Martynaitis su svečiais iš Maskvos fizikos instituto, 1976. (Bartkevičiaus nuotr., KTU fotoarchyvas)

KPI Rugsėjo 1-osios šventė prezidiumas Kauno sporto halėje, 1977 m. Šalia rektoriaus M. Martynaičio stovi LKP centro komiteto sekretorius A. M. Brazauskas.(Šeštausko nuotr., KTU archyvas)

Diplomų įteikimas KPI Statybos ir architektūros santechnikos specialybės diplomantams, 1978 m. (KTU fotoarchyvas)

KPI Lengvosios pramonės rūmų statybos pradžia, 1979 m. (KTU archyvas)

1979 m. leidykla „Mokslas“ išleido M. Martynaičio knygą „Kauno Antano Sniečkaus politechnikos institutas“

KPI 30-mečio iškilmės 1980 m. (KTU muziejus)

KPI rektorius prof. M. Martynaitis, 1980 m. (KTU muziejus)

KPI rektorato posėdis,1982 m. (KTU archyvas)

KPI rektoriaus M. Martynaičio 60-metis, 1982 m. (KTU fotoarchyvas)

Rektorius M. Martynaitis supažindina svečius su KPI muziejumi, 1985 m. (KTU muziejus)

Prof. M. Martynaitis KPI XII festivalyje, 1985 m. (KTU archyvas)

Family

Harmony in the family was one of the greatest values for Prof. M. Martynaitis. He sincerely took care of his parents, and his relationship with his wife, Assoc. Prof. Zenona and his children can serve as an example for many families. The Martynaičiai family raised a daughter Jolanta and a son Arvydas. Prof. M. Martynaitis was a loving father, but at the same time, he was demanding and fair making sure that his children did not stand out among their friends and applying the same requirements. Martynas Malakauskas, the long-time Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Plumbing, recalled how Rector M. Martynaitis warned him not to award a scholarship to Arvydas Martynaitis because he had “earned” one grade 3 in a session. His son Arvydas wrote that the demanding nature of his father made it clear that you are the only one responsible for your own happiness, and that the most important thing he taught was humanity. When M. Martynaitis was seriously ill, his family members surrounded him with their warm attention and constant care. Thanks to them, the professor lived a full life until his last days, interested in the latest KTU achievements, joys and problems of life in Lithuania and the world.

Marijonas Martynaitis su būsima žmona Zenona Vitkute atlieka chemijos laboratorinius darbus, apie 1947 m. (M. Martynaičio šeimos archyvas)

M. Martynaitis su Z. Vitkute prie Cheminės technologijos fakulteto rūmų, 1947 m. (M. Martynaičio šeimos archyvas)

Zenona ir Marijonas Martynaičiai su pirmagime Jolanta, 1956 m. (M. Martynaičio šeimos archyvas)

Martynaičių šeima 1957 m. (M. Martynaičio šeimos archyvas)

Martynaičiai atostogų metu Palangoje, 1960 m. (M. Martynaičio šeimos archyvas)

M. Martynaitis su dukra Jolanta, 1963 m. (M. Martynaičio šeimos archyvas)

M. Martynaitis retsykiais mėgo su draugais pažvejoti. (M. Martynaičio šeimos archyvas)

Prof. M. Martynaitis su žmona doc. Z. Martynaitiene renginyje KTU auloje, 2003 m. (J. Klėmano nuotr., KTU fotoarhyvas)

Professor Emeritus

In 1988, the Sąjūdis movement was established in Lithuania and the national revival began. At the end of 1989, the Communist Party of Lithuania split from the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, but some communists, led by Mykolas Burokevičius, did not support the breakaway. Prof. Jurgis Slavėnas recalled the testimony of a former Soviet partisan, when supporters of Burokevičius invited Prof. M. Martynaitis to join them, the professor replied: “I am with the people”. After Lithuania won its independence, KPI was reorganised into Kaunas University of Technology on 31 October 1990. At that time, former Rector Prof. M. Martynaitis worked at the Department of Silicate Technology of the Faculty of Chemical Technology as a consultant professor; he taught general technology of silicates, technology of binding materials and mineral binding materials. He worked in this position until 1993. Professor was involved in the creation of KTU Veterans Club and various University events. In recognition of the professor’s merits, KTU Senate granted the title of Professor Emeritus to M. Martynaitis in January 2009. Prof. M. Martynaitis died on 4 November 2009 and was buried in Kaunas Petrašiūnai Cemetery.