Donald Doc Glen Marquardt

Donald was born at home on the family farm near Greentop, MO. June 19, 1942, the second son of Glen August and Maxine L. Bookout Marquardt. His brother, Jim L. “Sarge” Marquardt preceded him in death in 2007.

Donald was also preceded in death by his wife, Judith Phyllis Mulford Marquardt in 1993. Donald and Judy were high school sweethearts and were married upon Judy’s graduation from high school in 1961. They have two children, Lisa Jo and Kevin Lee.

Donald earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Northeast Missouri State University in 1964 and his Master of Arts in 1966. He received a PhD in Industrial Education from the University of Missouri in 1974. Doc taught Woodworking, Shop, Theater Technology, and Driver Education at Hickman High School in Columbia his entire career, retiring in 1998. He also taught Adult Education classes through The Columbia Career Center for 42 years.

In 1976, he received an award for Outstanding Contributions in Industrial Arts Education in Northeast Missouri. In 1981 he was named National Teacher of the Year by the American Industrial Arts Association.

In 2000, Donald married friend and co-worker, Blenda Sue Sidwell VanSlyck in Niagara Falls, NY. After he retired from teaching, Donald and Blenda purchased Village Pewter, LLC allowing Doc to apply his knowledge, the skills he taught throughout his teaching career, and his love of fine craftsmanship to create beautiful traditional handcrafted pewter. Donald and Blenda have traveled the US doing fine art fairs and presenting at various art related events. His pewter items were featured in an article in Oprah Magazine in 2005 and he has been a vendor and presenter at events with Country Living Magazine and Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. Most recently Donald and Blenda were invited artists at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO.

Doc Marquardt is remembered fondly by his students as caring, patient, with a quick wit; a teacher who is remembered, respected and who made a difference in many lives. He is remembered by his friends in the arts as charming, fun, witty, and an enormously talented artist.

He is remembered by his family as warm, caring, quick with a quip, always teaching in a charming and caring way. The sparkle in his eyes and the twitch of his nose was always a giveaway that he was teasing. Donald loved the farm, and being out of doors. Work in the shop and the garden was his play and relaxation.

He is survived by his son, Kevin Lee Marquardt, with Cindy Reese, granddaughters, Jayda, Morgan, and Taylor Warrick, and great-grandson, Ayden. Also surviving is his daughter, Lisa Jo Marquardt, and 5 grandchildren, Audrina, Jordan, Nicholas, Brooke, and Arianna. He is also survived by Blenda’s children, W. Nicholas VanSlcyk, wife Stephanie, and two grandsons, Seeley and Myles; and by Melissa Arterburn, and husband, Tony.

During his career, Donald was an active member of many professional organizations. He and his entire family were very active in 4H, both in Greentop and Columbia. At the time of his passing, Donald was a juried artist member of The Best of Missouri Hands.