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Robert Marsh

1920 - 2013

Robert Marsh obituary, 1920-2013, Reno, NV

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Mountain View Mortuary - Reno

425 Stoker Avenue

Reno, Nevada

Robert Marsh Obituary

Robert Greenwood Marsh

January 10, 1920

January 3, 2013

Robert Greenwood Marsh was born to Frank and Stella Marsh on January 10, 1920, in Fallon, Nevada. He died January 3, 2013, in Reno. A life that spans nearly 93 years is never easily summarized. In Bob's case, it is nearly impossible. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, family patriarch, entrepreneur, adventurer, patriot, philanthropist, engineer, pilot, outdoorsman, lover of the arts, gardener, a friend to many animals--both wild and domestic--and a true original.

He was an extraordinary man, a force of nature, one who often seemed to bend reality to his will. He would routinely remark that the word "can't" was not in his vocabulary. (In fact, his family would bemoan those instances in which some well-meaning person would tell him he couldn't do something. His projects recently included re-tiling his kitchen and landscaping with large boulders around his home—these projects he initiated in his nineties.) But his family will remember him as the pillar. He was intensely passionate about those who belonged to him, and those of us left on this side of Heaven will miss the never-ending encouragement and support he gave us.

A strident supporter of education, Bob assisted countless family members, friends and acquaintances in their educational endeavors. One of his deep regrets was never having completed his formal education. After World War II, he completed two years at the University of Nevada, Reno while working full-time as a young husband and father. He attended classes at UNR in his late eighties, but regretfully never finished his degree due to hearing and mobility impairments. (Privately, his family wondered whether it was simply because he couldn't stand to sit still and listen to the lectures.)

Bob began his career as an entrepreneur selling root beer on the streets of Fallon as an eight-year-old kid. He graduated Fallon High School in 1937. He married his childhood sweetheart, Raylyn Albee, in 1938, and his beloved daughter Janet was born in 1940. In the years before World War II, he worked in many fields including mining and serving as the Standard Oil representative in Gabbs, Nevada. Immediately after Pearl Harbor, he tried to enlist in the Army Air Corps, as well as the other branches of the military, but he was heartbroken to learn he was ineligible due to color blindness. He joined the Merchant Marines and served on various vessels including the USS Darby in both the Pacific and Mediterranean theaters, ultimately earning the position of Deck Engineer. He owned several service stations over the years, as well as Club Taxi Company, Marsh Auto Wrecking and Reno Scrap and Steel.

He had a long record of public service in the Reno area. He was a long-time Mason and member of the Shrine. He was also a long-time member of numerous organizations, including the Greenhead Hunting Club in Fallon, the Humboldt Hunting Club, the Elks Club, the Rotary Club, the Reno Chamber of Commerce, the Reno Junior Chamber of Commerce, and various trade organizations such as the Nevada Towing Association. He served in various leadership capacities in many of these organizations. He served on the Truckee River Advisory Board in the 1970s and 80s. He was Chairman of the Reno Housing Authority in the 1960s, and he served in the Washoe County Sheriff's Auxiliary and Aero Squadron.

He always longed to fly airplanes and in the 1950s he was able to fulfill his passion as a private pilot. Beginning in the 1980s, he was well-known around town as the proud owner of an amphibious Cessna and delighted in taking his buddies fishing on Wildhorse Reservoir, mounting a small outboard motor between the floats and trolling from inside the plane. The Piazzo brothers featured him on their Sportsman's Corner TV program, noting a sign prominently placed in the cockpit: "If You'd Like to Smoke, Please Step Outside."

He had a certain theatrical bent, and in the 1950s appeared in many plays at the Reno Little Theater. He also had a walk-on part in the film "Captive City," starring John Forsythe, which was filmed entirely in the Reno-Carson area and released in 1952. He was an avid supporter of many community organizations including the Reno Little Theater, the Lear Theater, the University of Nevada, Reno, Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, Renown Children's Hospital, RSVP, Shakespeare Animal Fund, and the Nevada Museum of Art.

In 1964, Bob married the love of his life, Avis. They were blessed to welcome their daughter, Kimberly, in 1966, joking that they expected her to be born with gray hair. Bob never fully recovered from Avis's loss to cancer in 1997, but he carried on with his typical steely resolve. He joined a widows/widowers support group and cherished the many friends he made while they shared one another's grief. In latter years, he especially delighted in dinners held at Randy and Patty Idler's home at which he was always the cherished guest of honor.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Avis, his parents, Frank S. Marsh and Stella Greenwood Marsh, his sister Phyllis Shaver, his brother Bill Marsh, stepsons Donald "Dub" Hudson and Guy Hudson, brother-in-law Fred Eby and sisters-in-law Erma Christianson and Dorothy Allen. He is survived by daughters Janet Marsh Wells (Howdy) and Kimberly Marsh Guinasso (Jason), stepson Scot F. Hudson (Debbie), grandchildren Shawn Landrum (Tim), Guy Wells (Jodi), Jenna Wells-Doto (Dave), Robert Guinasso, Adeline Guinasso, Stacey Hudson (Sam), Tammy Unruh (Troy), Penny Hudson, Mark Hover, Scot Hudson (Jeannie), Todd Hudson (Patti), Jaime "Skip" Hudson, Katrina Hudson and Jill Hudson, great-grandchildren Alexandra, Brönte, Savannah, Sierra, Beau, Kelsey, Lauren, Tyler, Hannah, Gage, Kayla, Sam, Eric, Emily, Lexi and Maleyah, daughters-in-law Rowena Harrison and Karen Hudson, sisters-in-law Bettejean Smith and Ann Sandwick, nephews Mike Patterson (Kathy), Barry Shaver (Joanie), Dennis Marsh, Bill Marsh, nieces Sharon Marks (John), Linda Yaegle (Kay), Susan Kleinman (Dennis), Kris Marsh, Kerry Sarras (Jan), Cindy Collins, Kelly Marsh and other numerous and cherished nephews, nieces and cousins.

A public visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, January 9, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Mountain View Mortuary.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted at Sierra Bible Church, 3195 Everett Drive, Reno, at 12:00 noon on January 10, Pastor Mark Evans of Warehouse Christian Ministries officiating.

A reception will be held immediately following the Celebration of Life at the Reno Little Theater, 147 E. Pueblo St., Reno.

Published by The Reno Gazette Journal and Lyon County News Leader from Jan. 8 to Jan. 13, 2013.
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I met Bob a few times in my life as a little girl through my Dad Jim Ferrell. Bob and Dad were cousin's. My Father's mother Gladys Marsh. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. We loved his spunk. My condolences to the family. Ann Ferrell Bonari

Ann Ferrell

August 2, 2017

I wish I would have known Uncle Bob better than I did. It reminds us how important family is, no matter the distance. -William R. Marsh III

William R. Marsh III

February 7, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...sorry for your loss.

Darlisa & Sandy Dietrich-Gaither

January 13, 2013

I am 70 and Bob Marsh ha a tremendous impact on my life. I starting working for him in the late 1950's in his wrecking yard which is now under the Freeway. He employed my brother ,step father and me all at the same time. He had a big heart but he was a tough guy when he needed to be. As an aircraft mechanic If I recall right I did about the first 8 annuals on his 206 which he allowed me to fly also. Since I live in Tucson now he has come down to visit on several occasions. I always enjoyed his stories from the salvage operation in the Mariana's to his on going battle with the only other tow service in Reno at the time in 1959. God speed Bob. You will be missed by many.

Edward Tuohy

January 12, 2013

Baba has God sitting still to listen to him tell vivid ghost stories, like the ones somewhere outside of Midas and Avis is by his side.

Shawn

January 10, 2013

Uncle Bob I Always adored you. Thank you for always being an inspiration to me. Without your love and support, I wouldn't have gone back to college right after high school. My husband Jamey always enjoyed the talks you would share. Kim, Jason & Family I love you so much and wish I could've been there. Xoxoxo

Nikki Hopkins

January 10, 2013

My well best to you Kim , Jason & Family I loved your dad he was a member of the family. He will be missed.
Lorie Metzker

Lorie Metzker

January 10, 2013

Kim -- So sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. You father was obviously a wonderful and loving man.

Michael Stewart

January 9, 2013

Bob was a inspiration and influates to all of us. My respects to the family.
Steve Bath old time friend

Steve Bath

January 9, 2013

I'm sorry for the grief you are feeling today. Soon you may take some comfort remembering that he was larger than life and his presence will forever endure.

January 9, 2013

Kimberly,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad was an incredible,giving man.
I remember one time as a young girl, he took my sisters,Joey and I on his airplane. After the plane ride him and Aunt Avis took all of us to the store to buy brand new patten leather shoes for each of us. It is a memory I will never forget, I have shared that story with my kids for years. Your parents were great examples to me. He will be missed. I love you honey.
Sherry Babcock Ellingsworth (Erma's granddaughter)

Sherry Ellingsworth

January 9, 2013

Bob you will be missed! A true MAN in every sense of the word. Such will and determination, principle and honor are so rare nowadays. I will miss your smile and beautiful blue eyes- even in your your nineties- you were quite the charmer!

Pamela Douglass

January 9, 2013

Uncle Bob, I will miss your great love of your family. You were an inspiration to us all. Love, your niece Sharon Marks

January 8, 2013

We will miss you Bob. You have shared so much with us and we will never forget you. Love Tami, and the Boys

Tami Olsen

January 8, 2013

Bob, you are an inspiration to the men in this age, regardless of the generation.
May us remaining be as passionate about life.

Ben Sanchez

January 8, 2013

I remember the days doing "touch and goes" on Washoe Lake in Bob's float plane.He was a very interesting man. Godspeed Bob!

John Liller

January 8, 2013

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