Norwich University

The late Paul R. Marsh had an athletic career at Norwich that can be summed up in one word: "versatility". Paul participated in five varsity sports, earning seven varsity letters. A leading marksman in rifle for two yeas and a hockey and basketball standout for one year each, he is best remembered for his football land baseball heroics. A three-year gridiron starter, Paul took the concept of two-platoon football to extremes by playing halfback, fullback, center, and guard at various times on offense while splitting time between end and tackle slots on defense. On the baseball diamond Paul excelled as both parts of the battery, pitching and catching for two years. Active on campus, Paul was on the freshman dance committee, was sports editor of the War Whoop, was a member of the Journalism Association, and served as vice-president of the Rifle Association.
Paul's versatility was accentuated by his split career at NU. Originally a member of the class of 1915, Paul interrupted his studies to serve in World War I, where he became an infantry lieutenant in the United States Army. He later served in the Vermont National Guard. During World War II, Paul was a lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts State Guard.  
Paul embarked on a career in education with teaching stops in Enfield, CT (1920-22); Newport, VT (1924-27); and Springfield, MA (1927-59). He earned a masters in Education from Boston University in 1937 and directed his talents toward research and administration after early work as a math teacher. He also stayed involved with athletics, coaching football, basketball, baseball, and track during his career.
Paul retired in 1959 as Director of Research for the Springfield school system. The Maynard, MA natie then retired to Vermont with his wife, Elizabeth Field, of Williamstown, VT, who died in 1961. Their daughter, Barbara Marsh Toelken, and their son, Robert F. Marsh, NU '47, who resides in Northfield, represent their father this evening. Paul Marsh passed away on May 9, 1970.