Steve Marsh

Steven ‘Eral’ Marsh was born at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Illinois on February 28th 1950. The second of four children of Robert and Merla Marsh, he was clever, even-tempered, mischievous, and had either a great sense of humor or no sense of humor depending on who you asked. His family moved around the USA to follow his father’s postings, but he felt the most at home in Hawaii. He somehow graduated from Suitland High School in Maryland despite spending more time in the Smithsonian than in class.

He signed up for the Navy to avoid being drafted into the Marine corps, and during this process learned that his middle name is actually spelled ‘Earl’. Steve spent 8 years, 5 months, 21 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes, and 7 seconds on active duty (but who’s counting?), including service as a Snipe on the USS Iowa and USS Robinson around southeast Asia during the Vietnam war. The best part of his time in the Navy was shore leave in Hong Kong where he met and fell in love with Wendy - the tour guide who would become his wife. The second best was the time he started a riot by throwing a seabag full of 50-centavo coins over the side of the Olongapo bridge in the Philippines. He and Wendy were married on New Year's Eve at the Mililani Presbyterian Church in Mililani, Hawaii, where they settled down to start a family, having one son, Jonathan.

After escaping the Navy, Steve worked hard at Hawaiian Electric and later at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to provide for his family in addition to volunteering as a Scoutmaster and providing rides to the disabled as a Handi-Van driver on weekends. He tragically lost Wendy to cancer in October of 1995, and became a dedicated single father to Jonathan, continuing to support Jonathan even after he moved to Colorado for college. The minute he qualified for full retirement from Pearl Harbor, Steve turned in his paperwork and relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado to be closer to his son.

He filled his time with Harley rides around Colorado, volunteering with meals on wheels and with the Colorado Patriot Guard Riders, road trips across the country, and seeking out folks who just needed a little company or help (even if that “help” was patiently explaining to them why they were wrong). He passed away quietly at his home in Fort Collins on the May 31st 2025 at the age of 75, shortly after returning from a road trip to a reunion with shipmates from the USS Robinson DDG12.

Steve is survived by his father Robert Marsh; his older brother Mike Marsh (Dorothy), his younger sister Laura Medeiros (Jack), and his baby sister Brenda Owen; nieces and nephews Christy, David, Alessandra, Caleb, Sara, their spouses and children; and his son Jonathan Marsh and daughter-in-law April; as well as dozens of “adopted” sons, daughters, and grandchildren.

Following a Celebration of his Life at Resthaven Funeral Home in Fort Collins at 11am on the 12th of July 2025, Steve will return home to Hawaii to be interred at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Punchbowl alongside his wife Wendy and nearby to his mother, Merla.

All are welcome to attend the service, the dress code will be Aloha wear (Hawaiian), casual, or biker attire and a strict “No Neckties” policy will be enforced. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a nonprofit of your choice.

Treasured memories of Steve and words of condolence for his family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.