Marvin E. Easter passed away peacefully on February 13. He will be missed by all who knew him for his great sense of humor and his passion for flying. He was born September 15, 1923 on a farm in Cedar Falls, Iowa to Ersie and Leda Easter, who predeceased him.
Marv enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and served until 1946. He graduated with a degree in music education from Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls. It was there he met his future bride, Barbara, in a music practice room, and they were married on August 15, 1948 and enjoyed 65 years together.
Marv taught junior high and high school vocal music for 9 years in Waterloo. Despite his music background and career, Marv had grown up completely fascinated with aviation. He learned to fly while he was a teacher, earning his Private and Commercial pilot licenses in a Luscombe 8A.
He became a certified flight instructor and taught flying at the Waterloo Flying Service. Marv joined Department of Aviation at The Ohio State University’s College of Engineering in 1958 and spent the next 40+ years teaching ground and flight courses, as the university’s Chief Flight Instructor. He taught hundreds of students, and all would recall his scathing humor and practical approach to flying, not to mention their learning from his decades of experience.
Marv said he was “the only music major teaching in the College of Engineering. A piano player was much easier to teach than an engineer. Musicians think ahead.
Engineers sit an analyze everything”. During that time, Marv took part in many research studies that have been important to the growth of aviation. He also traveled the country for Traveling Aviation Seminars, teaching 28 hours in three days, hitting 47 states.
Marv rebuilt such aircraft as a Cessna 140 and Piper PA-11, built a Starduster Too (mostly in his basement), and he restored a prize-winning Waco 10 he owned in partnership with several friends. He was inducted into the National Association of Flight Instructors Hall of Fame in 1998. Marv is predeceased by his parents, Ersie and Leda Easter, his older brother Howard, and by his wife, Barbara, who passed away in 2015.
Marv is survived by his daughter Susan Cochran (Bob) of Columbus, son Mark of Columbus, and son Steven (Kathy) of Heath; granddaughters Jennifer Johnson of Newark, Denise Rutter (Brett) of Minot, North Dakota, and great-grandchildren Mason, Liam, Claire, and Erin. Also niece Linda Watts (Pete) of Dublin, and great-nieces Megan Watts of Houston and Kate Watts of Dublin. A celebration of Marv’s life will be held at a later date, with an announcement prior to the date.
To honor Marv, please consider a donation to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, 55 East State Street, Columbus, OH 43215; or the Austin E. Knowlton Ohio State Airport Enhancement Fund (#315216), 3042 Smith Lab, 174 W. 18th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210; or the Wesley Glen Charitable Care Fund, 5155 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43214. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Marvin E. Easter please visit our Sympathy Store.
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