Arthur Roy Marshall

Marshall, Arthur Roy 93 Mar. 23, 1921 Dec. 04, 2014 Roy was born in Fort Crockett, Texas, near Galveston, Texas, the oldest son of Roy and Ruth (Berry) Marshall. The U.S. Army family moved frequently, and while in Corregidor, Philippine Islands, about 1934, he met his future bride, Patsy. Roy spent his high school years living under the Golden Gate Bridge, which was under construction, so on the first day the bridge was open for walkers, Roy was permitted to be the first person to ride a bicycle over the bridge. Roy enlisted in the Army in 1939, and attended West Point Prep School. In 1941, he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy, graduating in 1944 as a Corps of Engineers officer. His early assignments were in the Far East, and his first child was born in Yokohama, Japan. Roy got a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1949, and taught engineering at West Point. He served in various other assignments including the Pentagon, Germany and Vietnam. His final assignment was in the Corps of Engineers Northwest Division in Portland, where he retired from the Army in 1974. Roy and Patsy loved Portland and stayed, expanding an old house in the West Slope, growing a garden and grapes and making wine. After Patsy's death in 2006, he remained a fixture in the neighborhood, passing out treats at the "Cooky Door," hosting the annual neighborhood Easter party and egg hunt, helping kids with school projects and just being there for them. He also enjoyed his food and wine groups, Eating and Drinking Society of Oregon, Wineaux, Portland Wine Tasters Guild, etc. He thoroughly enjoyed his family and was proud of all his grandchildren. Roy collected friends like others collect stamps or butterflies. He was charming and always eager to learn something new. He loved "recreational arguing" and would be contrary just to start the argument, and he loved baiting certain friends. He was kind and generous. In his later years, his speaking was slowed down by a laryngectomy but he was certainly not silenced! He still loved company, conversation, good food and wine. His last year wasn't easy but he was buoyed by the love of friends and children coming to see him. And after nearly 94 years, it seems impossible that he's no longer here! Roy is survived by his children, Roy Jr. (Susan), Cynthia (Walter Bernat) and Betsy Moshofsky (Mike); and beloved grandchildren, Melanie, Brian, Cory and Colby. He will be missed.