JOSEPH O MARZLUFF
Captain Joseph O. Marzluff, USN (Ret.)
Captain Joseph O. Marzluff, USN (Ret.), died on January 6, 2014 in Beaufort, South Carolina. He was 92 years old. A native of Chillicothe, Ohio, Joe attended St. Mary's Catholic grade and high schools and in 1938 he enrolled in the School of Engineering at The Ohio State University. In those first few weeks of his freshman year he met his future wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Polli, at a Newman Club mixer.
His stay at OSU was shortened by the events of those days and he actively pursued an appointment to the U S Naval Academy at Annapolis, and he was accepted in August of 1941.
Graduating in June of 1944, Joe embarked upon a 30 year career as a Naval Officer. As an ensign in WWII, he commanded an LST (Landing Ship Tank), participating in the repatriation of Japanese POWs and later participating in and witnessing the Atom Bomb Tests at Bikini Atoll. Tours ashore were in Turkey and as an Assistant Professor in the NROTC unit at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. In 1957-59 he attended the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, graduating with a Master of Science Degree in Physics and Mathematics. Other sea and shore commands followed, including a tour in Viet Nam in the Mekong Delta and command of the Naval Mine Warfare School in Charleston, South Carolina. His final tour of duty was at the University of Kansas where he was the Professor of Naval Science and Commanding Officer of the NROTC unit. While at KU, he became active in faculty affairs and was elected to the faculty senate and to the faculty executive committee. Upon his retirement from the Navy, Joe was awarded Professor Emeritus status at the University.
Retiring from the military in 1974, Joe had a second career as a real estate broker and developer, retiring completely in 1986. While in Lawrence, Kansas, he enjoyed KU sports, hunting, fishing, and volunteering for many organizations including Habitat for Humanity and the senior services center. He was very active in the Brandon Woods Town Home Community where he lived until moving to South Carolina in 2011. Membership in the Breakfast Optimist Club, KU Alumni Association, Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Knights of Columbus and church activities made further demands on his time and provided an outlet for him.
Joe's wife of 67 years, Betty, predeceased him two years ago. Joe spent the last 10 years of her life caring for her at the Brandon Woods nursing facility in Lawrence, Kansas.
Joe is survived by his three sons, Michael (wife Marcie), a graduate of OSU and a retired neurosurgeon, Charleston, S.C.; Peter (wife Deborah), a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a retired Rear Admiral, Seabrook, S.C.; and John (wife Colleen), a professor of wildlife science in Snohomish, WA.
He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Beaufort, S.C. on Friday, January 17. Visitation with the family will begin at 10:30 at the church. Committal at the USNA Columbarium in Annapolis, MD will be scheduled for later this year.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations should be made to a worthy charity.
Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family.
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Captain MARZLUFF was my CO at KU (in the 60s) when I was a NESEP undergraduate student AND while I continued with a NASA GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP. He also pinned my CHIEF PETTY OFFICER and ENSIGN ranks on my shoulder!!!! I HAVE (and WILL) always remember him!!!!!!!
RONALD N. CURRY
Military
January 2, 2021
To Pete, Debbie and the entire Marzluff family,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your father/father in law Joe. We are thinking of you during this time of sorrow.
Dora & Greg McClelland
January 30, 2014
My prayers go out to the Marzluff family. Joe and Betty were such wonderful neighbors on Abilene St. My returns to Lawrence were special as I would stop and visit with both Betty and Joe. They always had and will have a special place in the heart of this Ohio gal.
Sara Lou Brown-Binau
January 17, 2014
My sincere condolences to the family.
Col. Walter Wondrack (USAF, Ret.)
January 16, 2014
My condolences to all of the surviving Marzluffs. I knew some of you at KU during my NESEP years - before your Dad put the bar on my right shoulder in 1971.
Ron Curry
January 15, 2014
John and family,
What a great man! I have many fond memories of him training his Irish Setter "Bridget" on Abilene street.
Cris Chaffin
January 14, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss.
To, Glisson
January 14, 2014
John and Family....I am so sorry for your loss...what an amazing life he lived!
Martin Moore
January 14, 2014
Speaking for all my family, please accept our condolences for the loss of Joe. He and Betty were an exceptional couple.
Leo & Mona Langlois
January 14, 2014
We were honored to have Joe serve on the Board of Douglas County Senior Services. His commitment to the community was never ending. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.
Tina Roberts
January 14, 2014
It was a joy, honor and privilege to care for and have Poppy with us in Beaufort. He loved the oak trees and frequently commented on their beauty. He also loved his room upstairs calling it his " tree fort." We will miss him so much, but know that he was ready for eternal life! God bless our Poppy!
Debbie Marzluff
January 10, 2014
You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Sorry for the loss of Poppy what an incredible life to celebrate! Love, Kyle, Pete, and the kids
Peter Laver
January 10, 2014
It was an honor to have known "The Captain," and a privilege to call him my grandpa. I loved him as if he were my own. What a wonderful life he had - serving his country and being a loyal and loving husband and father. We will all miss him dearly and the kids will most definitely miss their "Great Poppy." He was one of a kind.
Megan Marzluff
January 9, 2014
Joe will be missed greatly. It was an honor to know him. He was a great American. I am praying for Pete and Debbie through this very difficult time.
Walt Cordina
January 9, 2014
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