Richard “Dick” C. Marsh passed away on September 27, 2024 at his home in Ann Arbor after a long illness. He was the son of Harold and Helen (Dunford) Marsh. He grew up in Dearborn as the son of the local Chevrolet dealer in the hometown of the Ford Motor Company. This background resulted in Dick’s lifelong interest in cars and the automobile industry.

Dick attended Dearborn High School and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he received BBA, MBA and JD degrees. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and many “frat brothers” became lifelong friends. He met the love of his life, Mary Jo Flodin, a fellow student at the University and they were married in 1968. Dick is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, and daughters, Elizabeth (Michael Lamb), Catherine (Michael Matuza) and Diana (Matthew Finney). He is also survived by grandsons, Miles Matuza and Roman Finney; his sister, Joan Marsh Gallegos, who resides in Salt Lake City, and his nieces, Audrey and Sarah.

Dick and Mary Jo loved dogs and throughout their marriage owned many West Highland White Terriers, King Charles Cavalier Spaniels and champion Sussex Spaniels. Dick and Mary Jo attended many dog shows and their Rufus was one of the highest ranked Sussex Spaniels in the United States.

Dick practiced law with the Detroit law firm originally known as Clark, Klein, Winter, Parsons & Prewitt. He spent his entire legal career with the same law firm, which morphed through mergers and internal growth into Clark Hill P.L.C., one of Detroit’s largest law firms. His practice focused on administrative law and litigation.

After retiring from the practice of law, Dick was able to pursue his interests as a bibliophile and amateur historian. For over 50 years, he collected association copy books and original documents related to British history, with an emphasis on the life and times of Sir Winston Churchill. Dick authored and had published three monographs on obscure aspects of Churchill’s life from documents in his collection. Dick was the long time President of the Winston Churchill Society of Michigan. In that capacity he brought many interesting speakers to Ann Arbor, including, on two occasions, Churchill family members.

Dick was a member of the Grolier Club of NYC and the Book Club of Detroit. He was also a member of the Board of Governors of the William L. Clements Library, Associates, University of Michigan, where he and Mary Jo established a fellowship for visiting scholars. Dick was installed as a Churchill Fellow of Westminster College in 2017.

Dick and Mary Jo took many interesting and educational trips to Europe and Great Britain, in particular. These trips often focused on sights of particular Churchillian interest, including two black-tie dinners hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough at Blenheim Palace. Another highlight was attending the 89th birthday celebration on the French Riviera in 2011, of Churchill’s daughter Mary Churchill, Lady Soames.

Dick was a member of the Detroit Athletic Club for almost 50 years and participated in the Friday evening bowling leagues throughout his membership. Dick often referred to the DAC as his “home away from home” and he spent many happy hours in the DAC’s Bowling Abbey expounding on sports with his “bowling buddies.” Dick was an avid supporter of UofM athletics, being a football and basketball season ticket holder for many years.

Dick also enjoyed golf. He was a member of Barton Hills Country Club, of which he was President in 1995. He was formerly a member of The Landings Club of Savannah, GA, where he maintained a vacation home and hosted his DAC “bowling buddies” on annual golf trips. Dick was also a member of the Association of Golf Presidents, of which he was President in 2005/06.
Memorial gathering will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024 at Nie Family Funeral Homes, 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Memorial service will take place at Trinity Episcopal Church of Belleville, 11575 Belleville Road, Belleville, at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

Dick joined the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor in 2013. His sponsors were Karen Kerry and Lois Stenger.

In lieu of flowers, the Marsh Family requests that donations be made to the Richard C. and Mary Jo Marsh Fellowship at the William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan.