Obituary for Robert A. Marvin
Robert Allen Marvin, born January 19, 1932, died July 29, 2020 at age 88 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Born on a cold January night to Allen and Gladys Marvin, Robert grew up along the banks of the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The youngest of the family, his arrival came as a surprise to his older sister Jean and brother John, who had been told their mother was away playing a game of bridge. Upon meeting him at the hospital, their mother simply remarked that she had played bridge the night before and won first prize.
Although his childhood was spent primarily among the rivers and hills of Wisconsin, he spent many summers in Gibson City, Illinois where his father worked. There, Robert wiled away his time with good friends and hatched schemes with his brother, including an ill-fated attempt to catch a rare albino sparrow by feeding him liquor soaked pieces of bread. The plan, which did not work, was to get the bird so drunk it would fall to the ground to be captured.
In high school, Robert discovered his life-long passion for music, starting with the trombone and eventually joining a singing quartet Three Flints and a Flame. The group could often be found singing popular hits and winning hearts at the Blue Heaven Nightclub. His closest brush with fame came years later, when as a member of the Navy band, he made a brief appearance in Esther Williams Skirts Ahoy. However, he will always be remembered by his family for his beautiful performances in church choirs and annual telephone renditions of Happy Birthday.
It was the Navy that took Robert away from Wisconsin. Enlisting after high school, he hoped to see the world and that he did. Aboard the U.S.S. Saufley and U.S.S. Dyess, Robert sailed the Mediterranean stopping at ports in Portugal, Sicily, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, and France. However, it was while stationed in Norfolk, Virginia that his lifes greatest adventure began. There, on the beaches of Sandbridge Island, he asked a young Betty Smith to marry him after two weeks of courtship.
Following their whirlwind engagement and marriage, Robert and Betty returned to Wisconsin. Son Richard was born in Beloit in 1956 and daughter Kimberly was born in Prairie du Chien in 1959. As a family they followed Roberts career in the paper industry across the Midwest, living in at least 14 different homes and several states before Betty gave up keeping track. Much to their childrens chagrin, Robert and Betty settled in Franklin, Ohio just after Kim graduated high school and did not move again for 40 years.
A singular man, who never wore denim and listened exclusively to classical music, Robert was never prouder than when discussing the accomplishments of his family members. He loved travel and chocolate malts. He was an avid golfer and kept a daily schedule by which you could run the trains. He was an active life-long member of the United Methodist Church. Hardworking. Irascible. Sincere. Intelligent. But most importantly, so deeply cherished and missed by those who love him.
Robert is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Betty Marvin nee Smith, a partner in every sense who was never afraid to rise to his challenge; sister Jean Collins; son Richard (Rebecca) Marvin; daughter Kimberly (Tim) Creditt; grandchildren Emily (Matthew) McNicholas, Lauren (Vu) Mai, Bethany (Jason) Holton, Benjamin (Carly) Marvin; great-grandchildren Emmett, Miriam, Oscar, Maxwell and Ezra; brothers-in-law Robert (Cheryl) Smith, David (Pat) Smith; and nieces and nephews Ross (Carla) Collins, Kristie (Trey) Neher, Sherry (Glendon) Dillard, Josh (Tina) Smith, Andy (Haun) Smith, Matthew (Megan) Smith, and Libby (Chris) Lee. He was preceded in death by brother, John Marvin, and brother-in-law, Robert Collins.
A socially distant visitation (masks required) will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church, 381 Mt. Moriah Drive, Cincinnati Ohio 45245. A memorial service will follow at noon. If desired, memorial donations may be made to WGUC at www.wguc.org T.P. White & Sons Funeral Home serving the family.
Born on a cold January night to Allen and Gladys Marvin, Robert grew up along the banks of the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The youngest of the family, his arrival came as a surprise to his older sister Jean and brother John, who had been told their mother was away playing a game of bridge. Upon meeting him at the hospital, their mother simply remarked that she had played bridge the night before and won first prize.
Although his childhood was spent primarily among the rivers and hills of Wisconsin, he spent many summers in Gibson City, Illinois where his father worked. There, Robert wiled away his time with good friends and hatched schemes with his brother, including an ill-fated attempt to catch a rare albino sparrow by feeding him liquor soaked pieces of bread. The plan, which did not work, was to get the bird so drunk it would fall to the ground to be captured.
In high school, Robert discovered his life-long passion for music, starting with the trombone and eventually joining a singing quartet Three Flints and a Flame. The group could often be found singing popular hits and winning hearts at the Blue Heaven Nightclub. His closest brush with fame came years later, when as a member of the Navy band, he made a brief appearance in Esther Williams Skirts Ahoy. However, he will always be remembered by his family for his beautiful performances in church choirs and annual telephone renditions of Happy Birthday.
It was the Navy that took Robert away from Wisconsin. Enlisting after high school, he hoped to see the world and that he did. Aboard the U.S.S. Saufley and U.S.S. Dyess, Robert sailed the Mediterranean stopping at ports in Portugal, Sicily, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, and France. However, it was while stationed in Norfolk, Virginia that his lifes greatest adventure began. There, on the beaches of Sandbridge Island, he asked a young Betty Smith to marry him after two weeks of courtship.
Following their whirlwind engagement and marriage, Robert and Betty returned to Wisconsin. Son Richard was born in Beloit in 1956 and daughter Kimberly was born in Prairie du Chien in 1959. As a family they followed Roberts career in the paper industry across the Midwest, living in at least 14 different homes and several states before Betty gave up keeping track. Much to their childrens chagrin, Robert and Betty settled in Franklin, Ohio just after Kim graduated high school and did not move again for 40 years.
A singular man, who never wore denim and listened exclusively to classical music, Robert was never prouder than when discussing the accomplishments of his family members. He loved travel and chocolate malts. He was an avid golfer and kept a daily schedule by which you could run the trains. He was an active life-long member of the United Methodist Church. Hardworking. Irascible. Sincere. Intelligent. But most importantly, so deeply cherished and missed by those who love him.
Robert is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 65 years, Betty Marvin nee Smith, a partner in every sense who was never afraid to rise to his challenge; sister Jean Collins; son Richard (Rebecca) Marvin; daughter Kimberly (Tim) Creditt; grandchildren Emily (Matthew) McNicholas, Lauren (Vu) Mai, Bethany (Jason) Holton, Benjamin (Carly) Marvin; great-grandchildren Emmett, Miriam, Oscar, Maxwell and Ezra; brothers-in-law Robert (Cheryl) Smith, David (Pat) Smith; and nieces and nephews Ross (Carla) Collins, Kristie (Trey) Neher, Sherry (Glendon) Dillard, Josh (Tina) Smith, Andy (Haun) Smith, Matthew (Megan) Smith, and Libby (Chris) Lee. He was preceded in death by brother, John Marvin, and brother-in-law, Robert Collins.
A socially distant visitation (masks required) will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church, 381 Mt. Moriah Drive, Cincinnati Ohio 45245. A memorial service will follow at noon. If desired, memorial donations may be made to WGUC at www.wguc.org T.P. White & Sons Funeral Home serving the family.