July 23, 1944 – March 3, 2025

Russell Cornell Marsh Jr. passed away on March 3, 2025. He was born on July 23, 1944, in Fairbanks, Alaska. His parents were Russell Cornell Marsh Sr. and Helen Elizabeth Marsh. After living in Alaska, the family settled in Eden Prairie, Minnesota where he attended school. Russ received his Bachelor of Economics degree from Macalaster College in Minnesota. While in college he took flying lessons and was hired by United Airlines in 1967. He was domiciled in Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles. When he wasn’t flying, he was farming and loved them both. Russ retired from United in 2003 as Captain on the Boeing 777. Russ had found his way to Western Colorado with two other pilot friends that partnered on farming their property on Divide Creek near Silt. They were farming if they weren’t flying. Russ was especially diligent with the farming.
Russ met his wife Cathy Henry through mutual friends and were married in 1979. They had three children, Gaylen Earle, Dawn Elizabeth, and Eva Estelle. Most of their years together were spent on their ranch on Taughenbaugh Mesa near Rifle. With the children, they shared in chores and raising a variety of animals which included sheep, cattle, pigs, horses, goats, draft horses, chickens, ducks, peacocks, turkeys, dogs, cats and any other animal the kids would find. Russ farmed with his dad’s Model 640 Fordson tractor that he brought from Minnesota and restored. Various other tractors came and went as well. Russ raised beautiful hay on his rather arid acres.
The family traveled to Korea, Italy, England and Egypt as well as many destinations in the USA. Russ and Cathy also traveled extensively after Russ retired.
Camping was another family activity with the kids and continued into retirement years with trips to Arizona in the winter months.
Russ always stayed busy. He was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Rifle serving as elder and Mr. Fix It. He studied with the Men’s Bible Study group and read his Bible every day. Russ enjoyed hunting, woodwork, gardening and helping friends. He loved riding his horse Mel on cattle drives and helped with cattle on friends’ ranches.
Russ loved his family and always made sure everyone was OK to the best of his ability. He is survived by his wife Cathy, children Gaylen Marsh, Dawn Marsh, Eva Favier (James), sister Katharine Muriel Marsh, nephew Gordon (JoAnn and son Caulder), grandchildren Sheanna Marsh and William Favier, great grandchildren Kitai Marsh and Kayler Marsh, and sister in law Gayl Cherry (John) and family.
Russ was preceded in death by his parents Russell Sr. and Helen Elizabeth Marsh, many Marsh aunts, uncles and cousins and mother and father-in-law Gaylord and Phyllis Henry.