Captain o'Captain

Obituary

ANDREW MARSHALL 

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"Coach Marshall" Andrew Stephen (Steve) Marshall May 16, 1930 - May 14, 2012 Resident of Danville Beloved Father and Husband, longtime resident of Danville, and retired school teacher at Monte Vista High, Steve passed away peacefully at the age of 81, with his family by his side. Steve as a young man, served in the Merchant Marines, and started out "as low as you can" working his way up to a licensed Marine Engineer, from 1946-1951. When he came home from the sea he worked night jobs, so he could go to college to earn multiple degrees, a BA from Pomona College in 1964 and an MA from Claremont Graduate School in 1965. He went on to become a beloved teacher and coach at Monte Vista High School for 35 years. At the young age of 40, Steve became paralyzed from the waist down. When they told him he would never walk again, he simply told them that they were wrong. Through the years with his positive "can do" attitude he began the fight of his life to always keep his upper body strength so that he could support himself and walk, as Steve would say "no gain without pain". Steve never missed a beat and never complained, he continued to walk with crutches everyday at school and teach his students. Steve, with his marvelous strength, was able to keep walking into his mid 70's. Prior to his 1995 retirement from the San Ramon School District, Steve taught World History, Government, US History, Economics and German at Monte Vista High. Steve was the solo Academic Decathlon Coach, as well as coaching gymnastics, wrestling, cross country, Baseball & football. Steve was recognized, from Brigham Young University in 1986 as the "Inspirational High School Teacher of the Year", and the "Teacher of the Year for the East Bay Council for Social Studies. Steve was an avid sportsman and sports enthusiast, keeping up with all the High School, College and Pro Football rankings and teams. He was a life-longUCLA fan, a wonderful cook, loved to garden and especially loved his trips to Tahoe with his beloved wife Ann to keep fresh on the game of Craps. Steve converted to Catholicism in 1971, and was baptized and married at St. Isidore Church. He was a longtime member at the Good Shepherd Church, was a Knight of Columbus and taught Bible Studies. He took great comfort in reciting the Rosary and reading the Bible. Steve was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 38 years Ann Marshall, his parents Andrew Ceil Marshall & Margaret Scott Marshall. He is survived by his 7 children, daughter Linda (Bob) Newton, son, Scott (Nancy) Marshall, daughter, Pat Thorp, son, Neil (Becky) Halliday, daughter, Marianne (Jeff) Allgeier, daughter, Kathy Halliday, son, Michael (Kathy) Halliday; 15 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren, as well as his siblings Fred Marshall, and Margaret "Gretchen" Marshall. He acquired many longtime dear friends along the way including Don Harrison, his best friend for 64 years and of course his "poker guys" This quote regarding Steve from Brigham Young University Alumni sums up what many thought of him "Mr. Marshall was a powerful influence for good in the lives of his students, they will not soon forget him or the lessons he taught them." A celebration of Steve's life will be held on Friday June 1, 2012 at 11:00am at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Danville, California. Memorials may be made in Steve's memory to St. Isidore Catholic Church, 440 La Gonda Way, Danville, 94526. Visit www.legacy.com to sign Andrew Marshall's guestbook.

Published in Contra Costa Times on May 19, 2012