Robert Samuel Marshall

Robert Samuel Marshall, 80, formerly of Woodstock, Virginia, died peacefully on September 10, 2011, at Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Mr. Marshall was born in Washington, DC, on July 29, 1931, the son of the late Aubrey Claire and Marguerite Hisey Marshall. In 1949, he graduated from Woodstock High School. This was followed by a year of post-graduate study at Massanutten Military Academy where he lettered in soccer and was the only American-born player on the varsity team. He earned his B.A. from Bridgewater College in 1957. He continued his studies by completing advanced coursework at both the University of Virginia and American University. On June 6, 1956, he married Ann Magruder Grabill, in Woodstock, Virginia. They began their married life together in Winchester, Virginia and later moved to Fairfax, Virginia. In 1966, they moved to Alexandria, Virginia where they lived for the next forty years until returning to Woodstock. Early in Mr. Marshall's professional career, he worked as a health inspector for the Virginia State Department of Health in Fairfax, Virginia from 1957-1962. He was hired by the National Park Service in 1963 as a Ranger Historian serving as a Museum Specialist in historical interpretation at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Arlington House (the Custis-Lee Mansion), and the Old Stone House in Georgetown, Virginia. At Arlington House, he uncovered the footings of the icehouse, dating to the historical period of the Mansion. In 1969, he was promoted to Museum Curator and transferred to the office of the National Park Service White House Liaison. In this position he conducted extensive research of the White House furnishings, fine arts objects, and the archeological collections. His most significant projects included the research and procurement of antique glass, and the archaeological study that occurred while digging the pool during the Ford Administration. In 1991, he retired from the National Park Service after 28 years of service. After his retirement, he spent two years at Mount Vernon Plantation with the security police and served as an Honor Guard at the Tomb of George Washington and his family. Mr. Marshall received different special commendations for both his White House archeology and his professional research for the White House Glass solemnization which was coordinated with the Chief Scientist, Corning Museum of Glass; National Bureau of Standards; Smithsonian Museum Scientist, Fabricator of Glass, and chemists in the USA as well as St. Gobain, Paris, France. Mr. Marshall was a member of Bush Hill Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia, for 39 years and most recently a member of the Woodstock Presbyterian Church in Woodstock, Virginia. While at Bush Hill, Mr. Marshall served as a Ruling Elder, Deacon, and was the first liaison Elder between the Session and the Board of Deacons. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Nominating Committee, volunteered for the night security patrol, and was a member of the Advisory Council to Koinonia. Mr. Marshall was a Master Mason and earned his Scottish Rite 32 degree. He was also a Shriner of Kena Temple in Northern Virginia. He was a lifetime member and Warden of Fort Hunt-Skidmore Daytime Lodge No. 353 A.F. & A.M. in Springfield, Virginia and belonged to the Archer Bailey Gay Lodge No. 275 A.F. & A.M. in Annandale, Virginia and the Cassia Lodge No. 142 A.F. & A.M. in Woodstock, Virginia. Mr. Marshall was a charter member and officer of the Woodstock Jaycees, a charter member of the Strasburg and Woodstock museums, and belonged to the Koinonia Foundation. He was a volunteer at the Marshall House and Wickham House in Woodstock, Virginia. He was elected a Life Member in the Ripples Society, Bridgewater College and the Thomas Jefferson Society of Alumnae for 50 years of devoted and active service to the University of Virginia. Other memberships included the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the American Legion Alexandria Post 24, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. In March, 2010, Mr. Marshall was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Ann Magruder Grabill Marshall. He is survived by his daughter Margaret Elizabeth Marshall Gordon and son-in-law Eric Lloyd Gordon of Charlestown, Indiana; a grandson Jared Marshall Gordon; a cousin Evelyn Peer of Woodstock, Virginia, along with many nieces and nephews. Masonic Rites and visitation will be held on September 16, 2011, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Dellinger's Funeral Home, Woodstock, Virginia. A funeral service will be held at Woodstock Presbyterian Church at 3:00 p.m. on September 17, 2011, with Reverend Lisa Webb and Dr. Carl Rush officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Massanutten Cemetery, Woodstock, Virginia. Pallbearers include Eric L. Gordon, Jared M. Gordon, William D. Grabill, Jr. David M. Hardesty, John D. Hardesty, Jr. and James A. Klooster. Honorary pallbearers include John D. Hardesty, Sr., Donald A. Sheetz, Jack O. Sheetz, and Ron E. Sheetz. To honor Mr. Marshall's dedication to the preservation of history, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Woodstock Museum, Attn: Secretary, P.O. Box 741, Woodstock, Virginia, 22664 or to his favorite charity, the St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148.

Robert Samuel Marshall

September 13, 2011