Marshall Maxwell Sluyter

Marshall was born in Bucharest, Romania on April 17, 1927, to his parents Maximillian and Rachel and older sister, Hannie. Marshall was a mischievous youngster, full of energy and spunk. He loved science and classical music, studying piano intently. At an early age, Marshall fell in love with airplanes and aviation. It was his dream to come to the United States and study to become an aeronautical engineer and continue with higher education, something he could not do in Romania. Marshall was able to realize these dreams by earning multiple degrees in engineering, culminating in his PhD, earned in 1964.

On November 9, 1952, Marshall was introduced to Deborah Moss, who would ultimately become his wife. They married on June 7, 1953, and began their 68-years of adventures. Together they lived for their early married years in New Jersey, Illinois, and New York, enjoying exploring around the country. They soon expanded their family with two daughters, Monica and Mylene.

In 1957, Marshall became a naturalized American citizen, one of his proudest lifelong accomplishments. To celebrate this achievement, Marshall and Debbie drove through the Southwest to allow Marshall to use his new citizenship papers to pass the border. It was during this time that they fell in love with New Mexico and made a promise to each other that they would find a way to live there. That promise was fulfilled when the family moved to New Mexico in 1964.

In 1976, Marshall and Debbie made the move to the Washington, D.C. suburbs as Marshall took a job with the Department of Energy. The family settled in Rockville and remained there as Monica and Mylene grew into adulthood. Marshall and Debbie traveled and explored extensively, throughout the United States, as well as Europe and Japan. He loved exploring new cultures and cuisines. Some of Marshall’s favorite stories began with “once when Debbie and I were traveling…”

Marshall welcomed new “sons” into the family when Mylene married Steve and Monica married Phil. He was a devoted grandfather to Grant, Chloe, Greta and Liam. He would speak proudly about his grandkids and how they had each found a unique passion that was their own.

Marshall often commented on the blessings he had received. He never lost his wonder over what he described as the “improbable” journey of his life. He created rich relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Marshall left an indelible mark on those who knew him and he will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations made to two organizations very dear to Marshall’s heart:

• The Olney Theatre

• The United States Air Force Museum Foundation