Richard Marshall, 78 of Overland Park, Kansas; died Feb. 5, 2014. He was born Feb. 13, 1935 in Marshalltown, IA, son of the late Harold “Pete” and Mildred Marshall. Rich and his MHS Classmate Norma Hansen, married in 1957. Besides Norma, he leaves a son, John Marshall of Aurora, CO; a daughter, Joan Nicely (Bill) of Kearney, MO; three grandchildren, Marshall Nicely of San Diego, Emily and Jack Marshall of Centennial, CO; his former daughter in law, Victoria Marshall of Centennial and several nieces and nephews.

Richard C. Marshall:
Rich "Stormy" Marshall, 78 of Overland Park, entered eternity Feb. 5, 2014. Fellow pilots in the Iowa Air National Guard dubbed him Stormy because of the type of weather that often followed him when he reported for weekend training in Des Moines. The moniker remained with him during his 25-year career as a TWA pilot, but Rich was not a stormy person. He was even tempered and meticulous, just who you would want piloting your airliner in any kind of weather. Everything in Rich's garage was labeled and in its precise place. He was born Feb. 13, 1935 in Marshalltown, IA, son of the late Harold “Pete” and Mildred Marshall. It was there that he dated an alluring cheerleader, Norma Hansen, during their senior year at Marshalltown High School. He first caught her painful attention by placing a thumbtack on the seat of her desk. They were married in 1957 and remained so nearly 57 years until his death Wednesday at the Garden Terrace at Overland Park Alzheimer's Center. Besides Norma, he leaves a son, John Marshall of Aurora, CO; a daughter, Joan Nicely (Bill) of Kearney, MO; three grandchildren, Marshall Nicely of San Diego, Emily and Jack Marshall of Centennial, CO; his former daughter in law, Victoria Marshall of Centennial and several nieces and nephews. His grandson, Marshall, is following Rich's footsteps in pilot's training and recently startled his mother by emerging from the bedroom wearing Rich's TWA captain's shirt, which fit perfectly. "Can I have it?" he asked. "Yes, of course," she said through welling eyes. Rich loved music. Norma says he often got out of doing the dishes by playing the piano by ear after dinner. Tunes of Floyd Cramer, Jim Brickman were most common and on occasion, Norma would call out the pieces she wanted to hear from the kitchen. He also played the accordion and drums. And he loved the Lake of the Ozarks, boating and fishing. When he caught no fish, he would respond to queries with, "I prefer to say I was boating." Rich attended Iowa State University, Ames, and Donnelly College, Kansas City, KS, but he never got his college degree. He was called home from Ames to take over the family insurance agency, but later gave it up to pursue his love of flying. Services will be at the Wesley Chapel on the campus of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, 66224. The family would like to thank the compassionate staff at Garden Terrace at Overland Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Silver Link Ministries at the church.

A TRIBUTE TO RICH FROM MARILYN SMIT SHAW:

Rich Marshall's Memorial service was a time of celebration and pure beauty of a life well lived. Their church is amazing, huge, over 13,000 members, known as CORE, Church of the Resurrection, (United Methodist).

His service was held in the original sanctuary and there was a large crowd.

Norma was greeting everyone by name as we arrived, with her welcoming all with her lovely smile. The music was well chosen and well done. Adam Hamilton, the senior pastor, read the scriptures, but prior to that spoke of Rich and Norma as good friends and people he would look for while preaching, to provide encouragement. They were both very active in the church and helped with the starting of the "senior" ministries and activities. Karla Woodward, pastor for senior ministries, heading up "Silver Link Ministries", (their memorial suggestion in lieu of flowers) led most of the service. The theme: Celebrating Rich: A Life Well Lived, A Life Well Loved. Karla was with Norma and daughter Joan, all holding hands and praying as Rich passed into his eternal life. She said his eyes were focused on where he was going as he left this earth.

This all happened during the worst of the big ice/snow storm here in KC.

The things I was most impressed with that were mentioned was his integrity, his love of life, of family, of flying and of God. One time his son had a car, which they took completely apart. His son, John, asked him if he knew how to put it together, and Rich held up a Manuel and said that this book would tell them how. They did get it back together and it worked well. At the end of the service, the pastor said as she held up a Bible, "this is the book that Rich used to guide him through his life well lived and well loved."

As the family exited the sanctuary, the soloist sang, "Off we go into the wild blue yonder....."

I left feeling comforted, uplifted, and wishing I had known Rich better. I never knew this side of him, nor did I know he played the piano and loved music. He's now enjoying his life eternal in a place where everyone has integrity, love, peace, and enjoying his music without notes in front of him, just as he did here on earth.

Norma and I will be getting together in a few weeks after her life slows down a bit. Please pray for her during this time of adjusting to a new rhythm of life.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Smit Shaw