Denver attorney, philanthropist Lanny Martin dies at 77

J. Landis “Lanny” Martin, an legal professional, businessman and well-known benefactor of the humanities in Denver, has died. He was 77 when he died Friday after an sickness.

Martin and his spouse, Sharon, made the biggest standalone monetary standalone reward within the Denver Artwork Museum’s historical past with their pledge in 2016 of $25 million to revitalize the museum’s north constructing, a seven-story tower that was designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti in 1971. The constructing was renamed the J. Landis and Sharon Martin Constructing.

Lanny Martin was a museum trustee since 1994 and was chairman of the museum board from 2013 to 2022. When Sarah Anschutz succeeded Martin in March after serving as interim board chair, the museum mentioned in an announcement that Martin “oversaw a lot of the museum’s transformation into the establishment it’s immediately.”

Martin was chairman of the Clyfford Nonetheless Museum Basis and Martin was additionally deeply concerned with the Central Metropolis Opera. He was a member of the opera’s board of administrators, serving as chairman for a number of years. Sharon Martin was energetic with the Central Metropolis Opera Home Affiliation Guild, serving as president in 1990.

When playing was legalized in Central Metropolis and two different mountain cities in 1991, Martin labored with fellow board member Nancy Parker to barter a lease of the Teller Home, a resort owned by the opera. A Swiss company leased the hotel and paid for renovations, serving to the opera set up an endowment.

Martin maintained sturdy ties to Northwestern University, the place he earned a bachelor’s diploma in economics in 1968 and a regulation diploma in 1973. He served on the college’s board of trustees and was chairman from 2017 till August 2022.

“I’m really saddened to listen to of Lanny’s passing. He has given a lot to Northwestern, by his management, his steerage and his unwavering assist for his alma mater,” Northwestern President Michael Schill mentioned in an announcement on the varsity’s web site.

Martin and his spouse had been beneficiant benefactors, giving a complete of almost $45 million, the varsity mentioned. The couple created the J. Landis Martin Professorship of Regulation and Enterprise; helped set up Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium, the college’s soccer and lacrosse discipline; and made a number of beneficiant presents to the Regulation Faculty Fund and Bienen Faculty of Music Fund.

Sharon Martin advised JS on Sunday that her husband’s group involvement was a household custom.

“He would in all probability let you know it was the way in which he was raised in Grand Island, Nebraska, with two dad and mom who gave again to the group, extra so in volunteerism. His father was mayor of Grand Island,” Sharon mentioned.