Martin "Babe" Aloysius Lang

Martin "Babe" Aloysius Lang passed away peacefully at his home in Salt Lake City, UT on September 13, 2023 at the age of 92. He was born on December 11, 1930 in Ilion, NY to Charles and Kathleen “Kate” Lang. Known to everyone as “Babe” his name truly reflected his young-at-heart spirit.

Babe was the third of four children and graduated from Ilion High School. He was an extremely talented athlete, as a young man he signed a contract to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals. A veteran, he also served his country in the Army Airborne Division. He met the love of his life, Christine "Chris" Lang at the Ilion pool - the story goes that they both showed off their diving skills to one another. They must have liked what they saw as the two eventually married in 1956. The young couple spent their early years in Ilion where Babe began a 30-year long career with Sperry UNIVAC. Babe and Chris had their first child in 1957 and by 1970 they had a family of nine children. Sperry UNIVAC took Babe and his family from Ilion to Salt Lake City in 1977.

Babe's love of sports was a lifelong passion. Throughout the years, he played in an array of various baseball, basketball and golf leagues with both family and friends. He usually would out-play the field in almost any kind of sport. Golf in particular was a common bond that he shared with his regular golf buddies, his children and grandchildren. He loved it so much that after retiring from Sperry UNIVAC he went on to work at Bonneville Golf Course for several decades. He enjoyed having his family come up to the golf course to play a round and an all-time favorite - the Lang Stair Climb (47 steps that per Babe, "You gotta get every step, you can't skip!") at Bonneville after the 18th hole.

Babe's dedication to family was ever-present. Anyone that walks into his garage would see a homemade board listing the names of his wife, children and son/daughters-in-law, flanked by photos of some of his favorite athletes. Family memories recall him coaching and umpiring little league baseball, swimming relay races in the family pool, and showing love and affection to his beautiful wife.

Babe left behind so many unique memories for his friends and family - always ready to dance; his proclivity for bread and peanut butter dipped in coffee, angel hair spaghetti, and Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream; rollerblading and ice skating well into his 80s and 90s; and playful things like the hidden quarter or detached thumb trick and his spot-on Donald Duck voice.

Babe's hugs were the best, his sense of humor was so entertaining, his personality was so endearing, he was just...the greatest. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife Christine Lang; eight children, Pat Lang, Ned Lang (spouse Elizabeth and granddaughters Tirzah & Tarci), Joe Lang (spouse Allison Onishi and grandsons Jesse & Brady, Ted Lang, Jon Lang, Mary Lang (grandson Rocco),daughter Betsy Correnti (spouse Steven Correnti, grandsons Connor & Cooper and step-grandchildren Parker & Colby), and Dan Lang (grandchildren Hannah & Carter); sister Judy Walsh; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and extended family. 

He was preceded in death by both his parents Charles and Kate Lang; two brothers, Charlie and Don Lang; and son, Don Lang.