Marvin John Malecha

The obituary of Marvin John Malecha, FAIA, DPACSA can be like no other because of course, “Marvin was Marvin”. Everything in life was a design problem starting with himself. The black Corbu glasses, black Italian suits, black shirt and tie and maybe, just maybe, a red or yellow tie for a special occasion! Let’s not forget the shoes.

I think Marvin best described himself in a “illustrated interview” with WALTER magazine as he was “retiring” from 21 years as dean of the College of Design at NC State University to become the president and chief academic officer at the NewSchool of Architecture and Design in San Diego. Of course, it seemed fitting that the interview with WALTER had to be a design visionary sketch to his responses.

Marvin’s last conversation with his good friend Walt Teague leaves us with what I think Marvin would write at this difficult time.

“I have decided what I’m going to do next. I am going to do watercolors in Tuscany”. He had such certainty in his tone. He spoke of his drawing and sketching past, but he was now excited to “stretch” himself with learning watercolors with his drawings. He was looking forward to this re-making himself and his art.”

Marvin and Cindy’s plans were being made for new experiences, new adventures, new freedoms that were always to be enriched by the pleasure of good company, great wine, the pleasure of the art and architecture to be experienced: embracing life, anticipating a celebration of 50 years of marriage.

Marvin was a brilliant conversationalist with passion, optimism and an infectious laugh. He considered his life a calling; a devotion. Marvin cherished the relationships with friends and colleagues around the world. He shared his passion for education, he mentored, he encouraged, he consoled, he cared. His greatest joy in life was his family: Cindy, his wife, who was the love of his life; Peter, his very creative son; “little architect”, daughter Michelle; granddaughter Chloe.

The words that he spoke at his inaugural as 85th president of the American Institute of Architects epitomize Marvin:

“There is joy in what we do. It is up to us to match our opportunities with hard work. But, let us also remember, with humility and a sense of responsibility that it is not for ourselves that we undertake this endeavor, it is for Chloe. I promise you, and her my very best effort. I owe it to my father’s dream”

Marvin often reflected on the influence of his father who dreamed of being an architect but was thwarted in his dream by the Great Depression. His father still approached the challenges of his life with “the heart of a designer” and a dedication to hard work. His father would have been proud of his many, many accomplishments, his life well-lived.

What will you do with your Marvin stories and experiences? How will you carry on the “design thinking” lessons of Marvin? The legacy of Marvin J. Malecha is now entrusted to all of us.

Marvin John Malecha, FAIA

AIA-ACSA Topaz Medallion, Distinguished Professor of Collegiate Schools of Architecture

friend, teacher, colleague, mentor, brother, uncle, husband, father, and grandpa lion.

God SPEED – FLY WITH PEGASUS!