Passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Tuesday, August 4th. Born in San Francisco to William and Rose Hydorn and raised in the City and on the Peninsula. After serving as a naval aviator, he attended Stanford University where he met his true love, Mary Diane Hydorn (Diane). He graduated in 1958 with a degree in Architecture, married his college sweetheart and pursued his love of flying, taking a job with Trans World Airlines as a pilot, eventually retiring as a Captain after a 30-year career.

Marshall raised his five daughters and two sons in San Mateo until 1975, when he moved the family to Carmel. He thrived in Carmel, pursuing his passion for painting, writing, photography, walking, raising his family and running the Sea View Inn with Diane. Marshall loved the natural and wild beauty of Carmel, its pristine beach and rugged coastline. He participated in the politics of Carmel, serving as a City Council member and working to retain the classic charm of the town he held so dear. His favorite ending to the day was typically a swim at the Beach Club or a long walk on the beach, followed by a glass of wine and watching the sunset with his Love. Last New Year's Eve Marshall and Diane celebrated the 60th Anniversary of their marriage in 1954 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.

Marshall was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Diane; daughters Kirsten McCarthy (Tim), Noelle Sullberg (Jon), Allison Campbell (Wayne), Tracy Hydorn (Dana), Nicole Hydorn; sons Marshall Hydorn (Becka) and Colin Hydorn (Kim); grandchildren Priscilla, Madeleine, Timothy, Tyler, Allie, Cappy, Ava, Audrey, Claudia, Chelsea, Isabella, Emma, Hannah; and great grandchildren Marshall and Nicholas. He is also survived by his only brother, Robert Hydorn and his family, Mary, Greg, Anne and Jonathan. Marshall was predeceased by his grandson Marshall.

Marshall will be remembered for his love of family and friends, his humor, wit and many talents.

In his last four years, Marshall received loving care from the staff at Sunrise Assisted Living and personal care from several wonderful caregivers including Rosemarie Stanley, Debbie Ikeda, William Canles, Lillian Garcia, Lillus Winn, Aggie Camel, Rosa Hernandez and Regina Welch. The family extends a special "Thank You" to this group of committed and loving people.

A celebration of Marshall's life will take place on September 1, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., St. Bartholomew's Church, 600 Columbia Drive in San Mateo (corner of Alameda de las Pulgas and Crystal Springs Road).

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the charity closest to your heart.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Aug. 17 to Aug. 18, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Marshall Hydorn

6 Entries

Marshall Paul Seal

June 24, 2025

Condolences to the family. I never met the man, but we had a lot in common and I was named after him. He was my father`s Navy buddy at NAS Corpus Christi. We all became airline pilots as I was an Air Force pilot. My father must´ve thought a lot of him to name his son after him. I wish I had met Marshall. I grew up in Sunnyvale and had lived in San Mateo.

Marshall Paul Seal

June 24, 2025

Tom Welch

February 11, 2019

A friend gave me one of the greeting cards he designed. It was a beautiful gift.

Richard Ruff

August 25, 2015

Marshall stood out in a crowd, both literally and figuratively. In a profession of "good guys", he was one of the very best. In my mind, in thousands of hours of flying with hundreds of pilots, he is one of the few still remembered.

How you can show support

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Bert Botta

August 24, 2015

I'm one of the many pilots who flew with Marshall at TWA. He was a true gentleman and an inspiration to me of who I wanted to become, not just as an aviator but as a man.

Mark & Jayne Guthrie

August 20, 2015

Through the last 65 years, Marshall and I shared similar professional experiences beginning in 1950 as Naval Aviators in Patrol Squadron One, then long, illustrative careers as TWA Captains, and finally as Innkeepers on the Monterey Peninsula. We lift our glasses and wish my dear friend Marshall clear skies and a smooth ride on his final Flight West.

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results