Stephen "Steve" W. Marsh

Stephen “Steve” William Marsh passed away at his home on June 28, 2012. He was born on February 26, 1943 in Kansas City, MO to Daniel R. & Mary L. (Browne) Marsh. Steve attended & graduated from Northeast High School in 1961. He was a member of the United States Army National Guard in the late 1960s. Shortly after high school he went to work at General Motors (Fairfax) and eventually retired with over 20 years of service. Steve loved baseball, trains and Scottie dogs. He loved to fly and obtained his Pilot’s License in 1972 and his first Short Wing Aircraft in 1973. In 1978 Steve formed the KC Area Tri-Pacer Owner's Club (now known as the Mid-America Chapter) and recognized as Chapter #1 by the National Short Wing Piper Club (SWPC) with Steve serving as the Chapter President for over 20 years and was currently serving as Treasurer prior to his death. In 1987, Steve was one of the first seven national members of the SWPC to be selected into the National Honor Roll for his outstanding contributions to the club and Short Wing Aircraft. From 1991-1995 he served as President of the National Short Wing Piper Club besides having previously served as a Regional Chapter News Editor and National Chapter Coordinator. In 2003 he was awarded Best Tri-Pacer for 21Z at the National SWPC convention held in Springfield, MO. Steve was instrumental in not only helping the success of the Short Wing Piper Club but sharing his knowledge of the Short Wing Aircraft. He will be undoubtedly missed by friends and pilots from around the country - especially his friends and acquaintances at the Grain Valley (MO) Municipal Airport where he spent much of his time with aircrafts and his dogs. He was preceded in death by his parents & survived by his sister, Karen A. Downey (Richard) of Blue Springs; a nephew, Rick D. Downey (Callie) of Smithville; a great-niece Emma Downey; and great-nephews, Carson, Colin & Phillip Downey. In addition to his family, he leaves behind many friends associated with the airplane clubs and the Grain Valley Airport. The family would like to acknowledge special long-time friends Steve and Lynn Banks of Blue Springs, MO.