Marvel Keith Harshman

Marvel Keith Harshman

October 4, 1917 ~ April 12, 2013

Marv Harshman, also known as "Coach" and "Harsh," modeled the true, old-fashioned gentleman, beloved family man and revered Hall of Fame basketball coach.

Marv, raised during the Depression in Lake Stevens, WA, once said, "The Depression was difficult, but as I look back, I realize we learned some good basic lessons - to use our initiative, to be more creative, and best of all, to learn to appreciate the things we have."

This philosophy guided his life and defined his success.

A man of integrity and humility, Harshman lived by his famous "3 R's" - Respect, Responsibility and Readiness, which he also taught to his teams. He stressed the importance of players conducting themselves in an upstanding manner both on and off the court. Harshman took most pride in his role as teacher, showing players not only how to perform a task, but also teaching them the why and when.

Harshman's coaching career began at Pacific Lutheran College (now University) where he also graduated with a degree in biology. It was at PLU where he not only coached football, basketball, baseball and track, but also became their Athletic Director.

Marv's 40 years of coaching basketball with his teams at PLU, Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Washington (UW) brought him 654 wins, and a Gold Medal in Mexico City as the Team USA coach for the Pan American Team of 1975.

Of his many awards, Harshman became the 35th coach inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) honored him as the NCAA Division I Coach of the Year in 1984. Additional honors included the Pac-10 Hall of Champions in 2003, first recipient of John Wooden's "Keys to Life" Award and the first Royal Brougham "Legends" Award at the Seattle Sports Star of the Year ceremony.

Marv was also inducted into 15 halls of fame and was honored with two alumni awards from PLU, including PLU's Distinguished Alumnus Award.

A published writer himself, Marv has been the subject of two books, many newspaper articles and was the answer to a crossword puzzle question in the New York Times. Marv could converse with anyone on any subject from making raspberry jam and chopping wood to world travel and history. He possessed a unique story-telling ability, mesmerizing and educating everyone he met.

Marv loved Dorothy, his wife of almost 70 years, his three sons and grandson, many friends, his church, books, a good laugh, pumpkin pie and Dorothy's homemade Swedish rye bread.

A family friend summed it up, "The world would be an incredible place if it were filled with Marv Harshmans."

He is survived by his sister Joanne Sandvig, son Michael, grandson Rick and his wife Adeline and great granddaughter Sienna Quinn Harshman born April 19, 2013, son David and his wife, MaryAnn, and her three children, Michelle, Matthew and Michael and great granddaughters Liliana and Iris. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy, and his cherished son, Brian.

A special thank you and gratitude go to the caregivers of Young At Heart 3 Adult Family Home in Tacoma.

In memory of Marv Harshman, donations can be made to: The Marv and Dorothy Harshman Endowment Scholarship Fund at PLU; Marv Harshman Scholarship Fund at the UW College of Education; Marv Harshman Men's Basketball Scholarship Endowment at the UW; Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Shoreline, WA; or a charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 11 at 1:00 p.m. on the Marv Harshman Court at the University of Washington Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

Please sign the on-line guest book at www.dryermortuary.com.