Marshall J. Rahn

Rahn, Marshall J., 81, of Fort Lauderdale passed away November 4, 2003 at home with his loving wife Dora at his side. He was born on February 27, 1922 in Philadelphia, PA. During World War II he served as a Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. As pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress named "Duration Plus", he flew 35 combat missions including D-Day and raids on Berlin and Schweinfurt. For his courageous service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Marshall's first job after the War was crop dusting, using a small airplane based in Delray Beach. The Hurricane of 1947 destroyed his plane and the business. Later he spent several years as a self-educated geologist, using a PT-19 trainer to search for deposits of yttrium and the other "rare earths" in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. After attending art school in Houston, TX he became art director of a fledgling television station there. By the early 1960's, he had found his true calling: oil paintings of yachts and airplanes. For 40 years, he and Dora could be found at marinas and local airports up and down the eastern seaboard and Gulf Coast, working on paintings featuring skies and seas so colorful and lifelike that they seemed to be in motion. In 1975 his marine art was honored at a showing at Fort Lauderdale City Hall organized by Mayor Virginia Young, who had one of his paintings in her office. Marshall never lost his enthusiasm for aviation. He was a longterm member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society, and served as Beam Man for the Quiet Birdmen. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dora, son Ray (Sharon) of Boca Raton, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. A memorial tribute and flyover will be held on Sunday, November 30, 2003 at 1:30 pm at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport Skytel Coffee Shop, 5350 NW 21st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Please call 561-483-7119 for details.