Joe Marshall was curious about everything. An engineer
by profession, he immersed himself in the study of astronomy, Einstein’s
theories, and the wonders of sea creatures. Also an international sailor,
his lifetime adventure was a transpacific voyage to Tahiti, on which
he used the celestial bodies and a sextant as his only guides.
A former Inverness resident, Mr. Marshall died in
Oakland on Monday, Dec. 5. He was 88, and had Alzheimer’s disease.
During his career with Westinghouse, he sold large
machinery to companies up and down the California coast, and supplied
train controls to Bay Area Rapid Transit when it was under construction.
Go-cart BART
He told friends and family members a story of ferrying
dignitaries in a small battery-operated car through the new, underwater
BART tunnel running from San Francisco to Oakland. His anxiety rose
on his return solo trip, as he worried about the battery losing its
charge.
In 1997, Mr. Marshall and his wife, Charlotte, built
their home above Tomales Bay. This week Deborah Whitney recalled her
Seahaven neighbor as an amiable, friendly man who enjoyed hiking with
friends on Inverness trails.
Joseph Chandler Marshall was born in Atlantic City,
on Oct. 27, 1917, to Joseph C. Marshall, a medical doctor, and Annette
Rowan Marshall. Young Joe graduated from Cornell University with a degree
in electrical engineering.
During World War II he moved to Washington, DC, helping
the US Navy design safety devices for submarines.
Wins hand in marriage
In 1944 he married Boston native, Charlotte Morrill.
"I think he was surprised that Charlotte married him," remarked
his son, Dan Marshall, "Evidently there was significant competition."
The couple moved to Marin County in 1946, settling
in Belvedere. "Joe wouldn’t budge after seeing the San Francisco
Bay Area," his son said.
Just before his retirement, his employer sent the
Marshalls to Caracas, Venezuela, for two years to bid on the controls
for the rapid-transit system being built there.
Bay watchdog
Active in several marine-protection societies, he
was a guide with the Oceanic Society on its tours to the Farallon Islands.
With BayKeeper, a watchdog group keeping an eye on San Francisco Bay-Delta
watershed, Mr. Marshall enjoyed monitoring local waters on the organization’s
boat. He also served as a docent in the children’s programs at
the Exploratorium and the DeYoung Museum.
He was predeceased by his wife, Charlotte Marshall;
and his sister, Anne Pennock Marshall.
Mr. Marshall is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law,
Diana and Cyrus Keller of Oakland; Christy and Chris Dewees of Davis;
and Sandy and Jock Finley of New Mexico; son and daughter-in-law, Dan
and Char Marshall of Cupertino; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Family members suggest that any memorial contributions
be made to the Oceanic Society, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco 94123;
or to a local Alzheimer’s Disease association.
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