Marshall Childs, a valued member of the TUJ Community, teacher in all phases of our educational programs, Graduate, Undergraduate, and Continuing Education, and a close friend to many, passed away earlier this week.
The tributes from former students and fellow faculty members have been coming in and we all have our favorite Marshall memories of him as a caring, conscientious, and vigorous professional educator. He was one of those rare individuals who filled his space in this world with a wonderful combination of intelligence and ability leavened with approach-ability and amiability.
The void that he leaves will not soon, if ever, be replaced but our role is to honor him and what he stood for, and to continue our educational mission as he would have.
I know many of us will have our own little moments of remembrance, and we as an institution will consider the best way to honor him. But first, these final words from Horace befitting a Harvard man from the time when Latin was required: Non Omnis Moriar
Bruce Stronach
Remarks from faculty and students
We’ve lost a true gentleman and colleague. My sincerest condolences to his family.
— Robert Jefferson
Marshall was truly generous with his time, his intellect, his resources. He was an engaging scholar who was passionate about all things academic. He understood the real value—and the profound importance—of human relationships. And he was so down-to-earth—even self-effacing. He was a breed apart.
To say that we shall miss Marshall is, indeed, an understatement.
— Cornelius Pratt
I’ve known Marshall for a number of years, often chatting with him on weekends over work. As a professional he was faultless. He put his students first while never compromising his integrity. A great loss not only to TUJ but to the community of educators as a whole.
Irreplaceable.
— Ronald Carr
Truly one of the most amazing, dedicated and beloved professors at TUJ.
Students loved him dearly.
I think we should definitely do something to celebrate his meaningful life and thank his service to the TUJ community. He was very selfless in giving time to students and extremely dedicated to education.— Irene Herrera
A few years ago I had the honor to work with Marshall Childs directly in the AEP program. He certainly shall be missed by every person he ever taught or has worked with. What a great loss!
— Karl Neubert
When I first came to TUJ, 9 years ago, I found Marshall to be one of the real pillars of the program, actually several programs. I have rarely met a more impressive scholar, teacher and just plain nice person.
— John Mock
I will miss Marshall’s warm greetings. For a couple years my desk was across from his and we shared stories. He was so helpful particularly when I had just arrived at TUJ 10 years ago. What impressed me was the way he carefully listened to each and every student who dropped by. He gave great dignity to the teaching profession.
— Virginia Anami
I too enjoyed his dry wit and cheerful presence and his teacher of the year award a few years ago indicates that the students held him in as high esteem as his colleagues. We met so often in front of the elevators and I enjoyed his stories and quips. Marshall, we will miss you and thank you for your warmth and all you contributed to TUJ.
— Jeff Kingston
Marshall was so helpful to me in my first few years at TUJ. He became a truly respected colleague and friend. Loved his wit! He will be missed by the entire TUJ community. A great loss.
You’ve earned your rest, Marshall. You touched the souls of so many.
— Anthony Bedard
I didn’t know Professor Childs as well as the others, I had only taken a course taught by him this past summer, but I was extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from him. I recognized that he possessed a knowledge and a wisdom gained from a lifetime of experience, the extent of which I could not even fully conceive. My only regret was that I could not spend more time absorbing his knowledge. When I learned he had stepped down from teaching last semester, I realized that Temple had lost an intellectual giant.
I would like to send condolences to his family, and those who had a closer personal relationship with him. I may have some idea of it, but I cannot truly imagine the loss experienced. He must have been a mentor to a great many souls, and no doubt changed many lives. And I know I, and probably all of us, will definitely miss hearing that voice.
The only real contribution I can make is to read a passage from the course I took with him that he really seemed to love, that of the Funeral of Hector. I think it is fitting to honor his passage in the same spirit.
“Light blossomed like roses in the eastern sky.
The people gathered around Hector’s pyre,
And when all of Troy was assembled there
They drowned the last flames with glinting wine.
Hector’s brothers and friends collected
His white bones, their cheeks flowered with tears.
They wrapped the bones in soft purple robes
And placed them in a golden casket, and laid it
In the hollow of the grave, and heaped above it
A mantle of stones. They built the tomb
Quickly, with lookouts posted all around
In case the Greeks should attack early.
When the tomb was built, they all returned
To the city and assembled for a glorious feast
In the House of Priam, Zeus’ cherished king.
That was the funeral of Hector, breaker of horses.”
(From The Iliad, Book 24, Lines 845-860, by Homer, translated by Stanley Lombardo and published by Hackett Publishing. © 1997 by Stanley Lombardo.)Have a safe and peaceful journey.
— Daniel Horne