Frederick C Marsh, Sr

On the afternoon of Monday, June 29th, God and his angels wrapped their arms around Frederick as he entered the gates of heaven.

Frederick Calvin Marsh, Sr. was born on February 24th, 1942 in Durham North Carolina to the Late Oren Marsh, Sr. and Johnnie Anne Marsh.  Frederick was raised in a Christian home full of music.  His brother Oren and sister Sandra played the piano and Frederick played the trumpet and guitar.  As children they were known to sing in perfect 3-part harmony.  Frederick attended Community Baptist Church where he received Christ at an early age.  He attended Durham County public schools where made the local paper for winning a district contest in rural electrification sponsored by Duke Power Company. He graduated from Merrick-Moore High school in 1960. Frederick attended A&T University where he actively participated in sit-ins and civil rights demonstrations including one with the young Jesse Jackson.  After his freshman year at A&T, Frederick decided to move to New York City to pursue his interests in electronic engineering at RCA Institute.  Part of his experience at the Institute, was being involved the with and responsible for the maintenance and repair of military aircraft.

In 1966, driving back home to North Carolina from New York, Frederick met Mary Thorpe through his old friend Lacey Speight.  The couple married in 1967 and moved from New York to Washington, DC to be closer to family.  Frederick started his career at Howard University’s Physics department and they couple settled in Silver Spring, MD.  There they raised 2 children- Frederick Marsh, Jr. (Chip) and Kristal. 

While at Howard, Frederick worked on many electronic projects.  He pioneered and solely constructed the first computer lab and video media centers in the department.  He loved to work in research including assisting graduate students on their thesis papers.  He would always say he never worked a day in his life. Frederick worked under Howard's Astronomy graduate program at the Howard University Research campus in Beltsville, MD until retirement.  He is listed as co-author on at least 2 publications for atmospheric measurements.  Over 40 plus years, he met and created a village of family and friends with students and staff at Howard.  The bonds created then continue to exist through the connected families even today. 

Frederick had a passion for technology.  He always had the latest gadgets before most- a microwave, a digital watch, VCRs, and a large screen TV just to name a few.  As we moved from computers that took an entire room to your phone, he was at the forefront.  He was always ready to share his passion and lend a helping hand- from fixing cars, to TVs and appliances, to hand building computers to sell or just give to those who needed them. The list is too long and the favors too many to mention them all.  He would help as much as he could without asking for much in return.  There wasn't much he couldn't do, and if asked, he’d say that he couldn't master. 

He was a man of many talents- singing, dancing, playing instruments, drawing, and landscaping- just to name a few.  He loved laboring in the yard, listening to music, watching movies and driving.  He owned all kinds of vehicles- from a 1968 Corvette Stingray, to a Yamaha motorcycle, to a RV.  He loved home improvement long before it became popular to watch on HGTV and spent most weekends at the local hardware store. 

He was a man of great faith and dedicated his service to the Lord with his many talents and an immeasurable amount of hours to his home church Parker Memorial Baptist.  He was a very active member of Choir #2 and the Men’s Chorus.  He upgraded the church’s audio system and went on to created an Audio /Visual program, training people how to be sound and video engineers themselves.  He helped with youth program including driving the bus to various trips including one of his favorites- skiing.  Frederick loved to have a good time.  There were many parties, cookouts, vacations, and weekends spent at Indian Acres campground over the years.  He was well thought of by friends and neighbors on Malibu Dr.  He never hesitated to flash a smile, laugh, or help in any way that he could making many friends along the way.  His last few moments were filled with laughter and dancing and he is now fittingly among the stars, beyond the atmospheres he once measured.

Frederick leaves to cherish his memory: a daughter, Kristal Charles (Andrew), a son, Frederick Marsh, Jr. (Victoria), two sisters, Sandra Stewart, and Constance Clements, one brother, Oren Marsh, Jr., four  grandchildren- Jasmyn, Corinn, Simone, and Frederick Ajani along with a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces & nephews, cousins and friends.