Martin J. Zigler, a longtime actuary and a past president of Congregation Shaare Emeth, died Tuesday, Oct. 7. He was 63 and died just five days before his birthday of complications from multiple myeloma, family members said. Friends, professional colleagues, and lay and clergy leaders at Shaare Emeth expressed admiration for his leadership skills, his quiet manner and for his personal kindness in all aspects of his life.

Martin Joel Zigler was born in St. Louis on Oct. 12, 1950, the son of the late Paul Zigler, a grocery owner, and the late Dolores Feinstein Zigler. 

Mr. Zigler graduated in 1968 from University City High School and in 1972 from Purdue University, where he majored in math. He earned a master’s degree in actuarial science from the University of Wisconsin. While at Purdue, he met Kathy Long, whom he married in 1974. They had three children.

A longtime actuary with the Towers Perrin Co. (later Towers Watson), Mr. Zigler retired in 2010. He was widely admired by his professional associates for his expertise.

The Ziglers were active members at Congregation Shaare Emeth, where Kathy Zigler is a former director of the Shirlee Green Preschool. Mr. Zigler served for many years on the executive committee of Shaare Emeth, later becoming a vice president and then president of the congregation. He was also a former member of the board of directors of the Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Center for Aged.

At Mr. Zigler’s funeral Oct. 9, Rabbi James Bennett, Rabbi Andrea Goldstein, Rabbi Jonah Zinn and cantor Seth Warner were united in their warm praise for Mr. Zigler’s leadership qualities and his personal kindness. Warner praised Mr. Zigler for his leadership in reactivating the cantorate at Shaare Emeth and his role in re-energizing the music program at the temple. 

Quoting from a poem by Hannah Senesh, Warner said: “Some stars still shine long after their death. Marty was such a shining star to Shaare Emeth, and his commitment to our musical program is among his many gifts to all of us.”

In his remarks, Bennett said, “To us, he was always the good guy, that mensch. … Marty was always there for us. So many of us knew that we could always count on Marty to help in any situation.”

Following the service, burial was at New Mount Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois Road.

In addition to his wife of 40 years, Kathy Long Zigler, survivors include a daughter, Abigail Povell (Todd) of Washington, D.C.; and two sons, Randall (Yun Lee) of Boston and Corwin (Lily Altstein) of Boston; three grandchildren; and a brother, Larry Zigler (Sheryl) of St. Louis.

Memorial contributions preferred to Congregation Shaare Emeth or the charity of the donor’s choice.