Dick Marshall was born in Alberni BC and lived in many parts of Vancouver Island while growing up in logging camps. He spent two summers working on a tugboat and a further seven working in forest ecology research. He settled in Victoria after graduating with a BSc in Biology as part of UVIC’s first graduating class of 1964 with further studies in hydrology. He spent a summer working as a boatman on the BC Surveyor in the Queen Charlotte Islands before beginning his long career with the BC Civil Service. Those years included positions relating to Climatology, Resource Inventory, Director of Computer Services and of Air Management. Later he became Executive Director, responsible for Ministry Management Services (Finance, Personnel, Transportation, Computing Services, Communication, Environmental Laboratory and Surveys and Mapping).
Dick held an amateur radio license since 1958, making many contacts around the world. He was a Queen Scout in his youth and later a leader of his son’s Cub and Scout troops. He also served Scouts Canada as a Regional Board Member and President.
His passion for boating and sailing started with fishing and cruising with his parents on their home-built boat ‘Kokanee’. As a member of the Maple Bay Yacht Club where he spent his teenage years, sailing was a lifetime passion. Local and offshore racing, offshore boat deliveries, boat building and cruising up and down the west coast on their Moody 33 (‘Circe’) was part of life for the Marshalls. Dick introduced his kids to skiing. Woodworking was another hobby he enjoyed on his hobby farm.
After over 35 years of public service, Dick retired and took courses in Marine Technology and worked briefly in the marine industry.
Dick and Ruth enjoyed many travels to Great Britain, Europe, and the Caribbean, and with much of Canada and the US in various RVs. Highlights were a voyage to Antarctica with his son and visiting his daughter while she was at school in New Zealand.
In his later years, Dick’s ever-present canine sidekicks were Keji and Tara, both Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers.
Dick was predeceased by his daughter Kory and his two sisters. Remaining are his wife of 59 years, Ruth, daughter Katherine and son Ken, his three grandsons and a great grandson.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Mike Hanson
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Loyd Houston I met Dick Marshall in the early 70’s while working in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and later with Terrestrial Studies and Environment and Land Use Committee Secretariat. As a leader, Dick was very well respected and he left me with some sound life lessons learned.
To the Marshall family, please accept my sincere condolences on his passing.Loyd Houston
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Ray Graham Dick was the king of the pun and it was something I always looked forward to hearing whenever we saw each other. The world is a less interesting place without him in it. Fair winds at your back and calm seas in front of you Dick, you will be missed.
Ray Graham
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Sara Laponsee Sending warm and heartfelt hugs to the family. Dick will be dearly missed. His sharp wit and unforgettable sense of humour brought many smiles over the years.
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Brian and Susan Leah We are so sorry to hear about Dick’s passing
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Claudine Our deepest sympathies to you Ken and all of your family.
Claudine and Tim
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Andre Laviolette Ruth and I offer our sincerest sympathies for your family’s dearest loss.
Andre and Ruth
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Kim McMurdo I was very sad to see Mr Marshall had passed away.
When I was a teen , I spent many weekends at the family home.
I clearly remember he and Ken trying to get me and my car out of the driveway on a very snowy evening. Mr Marshall then informed me my car was ”gutless“, it was!!
Dick Marshall. I remember him as a quiet, thoughtful and respectful guy. I was too stupid to get his puns, however. How better can one man be? Not me. Him.