Franklin Fremont Marsh

Mr. Franklin Fremont Marsh, 104, died peacefully Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at Island Health and Rehabilitation Center in Merritt Island, Fla. Born Dec. 13, 1905, in Frederick, he was the son of Alonzo Pierce and Martha Wilcoxen Walling Marsh and was the oldest of three brothers. Franklin was a graduate of Frederick High School, class of 1924. For several years after high school, he worked at The Frederick News-Post. He graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. Following graduation from Catawba, he lived several years in Mexico where he did graduate studies at the University of Mexico, studying the Mexican language and writing. During World War II, Franklin served in the U.S. Army, where he reached the rank of captain. He spent his entire career working at NASA, beginning in Boston, Mass., and concluding in Greenbelt. Upon retirement, Franklin moved to Merritt Island, Fla., to be near Cape Canaveral, continuing his interest in the space missions. He was a technical writer with NASA and during his career wrote several manuals pertaining to the development of the heat shield for the space program as well as other technical journals. As a hobby, he enjoyed photography and pursued that interest throughout his life. Franklin married Madge Hutchinson on June 15, 1945. He is survived by one daughter, Mary Ashley Marsh Neville, and son-in-law, Henry W. Neville IV, of Glen Allen, Va.; two grandsons, Henry W. Neville of Richmond, Va., and Gabriel Neville and wife, Abigail Neville, of Holland, Pa.; and three great-grandchildren, Eric, Claire and Anneliese, also of Holland, Pa. Also surviving is one brother, Robert Pierce Marsh, and sister-in-law, Lavenia Marsh of Frederick; two nieces, Linda W. Marsh of Frederick, and Janet Marsh Johnson and husband, Ronald Johnson, of Raleigh, N.C.; two nephews, Ralph Willard Marsh of West Chester, Pa., and Robert R. Marsh Sr. and wife, Suzanne S. Marsh, of Frederick; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Ralph Windsor Marsh of Philadelphia, Pa. Gravesite services and interment will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick, and conducted by Pastor Barbara Daniel of Evangelical Reformed Church, UCC, where Franklin was baptized, confirmed and active in his earlier years. Arrangements are by Keeney and Basford, P.A., Funeral Home, Frederick. Online condolences may be left for the family by visiting KeeneyBasford.com