Arthur R. Marshall

Who was Arthur R. Marshall?

Arthur Raymond Marshall Jr. was a scientist and Everglades conservationist who spearheaded efforts to preserve Florida’s wetlands. Born March 2, 1919, Marshall moved to West Palm Beach at the age of six and embraced the outdoor lifestyle of what was, at the time, a largely rural community. He was known to spend many hours fishing in Lake Worth off the center bridge to Palm Beach and in a floating wheelbarrow that he converted into a boat. He and his brothers, Jack and Bill, after moving to Miami, often swam nude in the Miami River. He graduated from Miami Edison High School.

Prior to his college education he was a combat officer in WW2. He landed on Omaha Beach as a platoon commander with the 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion about 45 minutes after the invasion began on D-Day, and was field promoted to Company Commander. He and his unit stayed in almost constant front line duty from D-Day to the end of the war, then liberating a Nazi labor camp. After returning from the war Marshall married Kathleen Eppen, a nurse whom he had met in England during the war, and they had two sons. He then began studies at the University of Florida where he graduated with a degree in biology magna cum laude. There he met Dr. Carr and his wife Marjorie and became good friends. The Carrs were involved in conservation issues at that time, including protecting sea turtles in the Caribbean, and Marshall probably developed his keen interest in conservation from that relationship. Marjorie Carr later began a years long campaign against the Cross Florida Barge Canal and Marshall assisted her in that effort.