Martin Berdit, of Columbia, died Aug. 3, 2008, of complications from liver cancer, at Gilchrist Hospice, in Towson. He was 87.

He was born Aug. 30, 1920 in Wilmington, Del., and the family moved to west Philadelphia when he was a child. He took his first job at 9 as a newspaper courier to help his family financially.

He graduated from Overbrook High School, in Philadelphia, in 1938.

In 1943, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as a sergeant during World War II. During that time, he served in the Philippines where he conducted survey work. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

Mr. Berdit graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1947 with a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology. In 1952, he earned a master's degree in social work, also from the University of Pennsylvania.

He married Lilyan Dietz in 1947.

Mr. Berdit worked as the executive director of the Community Chest Program, part of the United Way Fund, in La Crosse, Wis., for four years, beginning in 1957. Local media recognized him in 1961 for helping the organization to meet its goals.

In the early 1960s, he became the director of the Head Start Program in Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked for a year. During this time, he worked on civil rights issues with the Council of Churches as a community organizer. Mr. Berdit later worked with the Rev. Jesse Jackson during a time of civil unrest in Cleveland. His efforts were mentioned in the 1970 book, "The Making of a Man," by Lewis Robinson, a recount of the civil rights struggle in Cleveland.

Mr. Berdit moved to Baltimore in 1968 and two years later moved to the new town of Columbia, where he worked as an administrator of special projects for several prominent health care organizations, including Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. He also did short-term consulting jobs in health administration until he retired in 1990.

He volunteered with administrative duties for several organizations in Baltimore and Howard County, including the Black Mental Health Alliance, The Community Justice Law Center, Coalition for Columbia Downtown and the 5th District Democratic Club.

Family members recall that he blogged about Columbia politics and wrote numerous letters to local newspapers outlining his community views.

Mr. Berdit was an avid reader who enjoyed writing poetry. He also liked to work out at the Coliseum Gym in Columbia and spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

In addition to his wife of 61 years, Lilyan Berdit, Mr. Berdit is survived by a daughter, Morna Berdit, of Columbia; a son and a daughter-in-law, Avery and Kathy Berdit, of Mount Airy; two grandchildren, Bryan Berdit and Bridget Berdit; as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A celebration of his life is scheduled for Aug. 30, 2008, 1-5 p.m., at 5174 Phantom Court, Columbia.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.

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