Edgar Ebbert Marvel, born Edgar Clyde Ebbert II, age 89, died March 27, 2008 in Worcester, New York. Edgar and his wife of 66 years, Beatrice Milligan Marvel, had been married in 1941 in Stamford, Connecticut. Living in many places during their life together, they had moved to Worcester in 2001 from their home in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Edgar was born January 24, 1919 in Craig, Colorado, to Grace (Bower) and Edgar Clyde Ebbert. His father had homesteaded there and built the house in which Edgar was born. Tragically, his father died in the Great Influenza Epidemic of 1918, six weeks prior to Edgar's birth. Edgar spent his first six years in western Colorado and then was adopted by his father's sister Hilda and her husband, Charles Marvel who lived in Fort Pierce, Florida. They moved to Latrobe, Pennsylvania during Edgar's elementary school years and Edgar graduated valedictorian from Latrobe High School in 1937. He was an Eagle Scout and worked part-time at the golf course for Arnold Palmer's father.

Edgar attended Alleghany College where he lettered for two years in swimming, and the University of Pennsylvania where he was a member of the crew team. His education was interrupted by WWII. He volunteered immediately after Pearl Harbor and was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas, as part of the last contingent of the horse cavalry. He attended Officer Candidate School in Camp Hood, Texas where he became an instructor. He fought in the European Theater under General Patton as a tank destroyer commander.

After the war ended, Edgar remained in the army reserves and completed his education at Colorado State University where he received a B.S. in Forestry. He served as a forest ranger in Colorado and Wyoming until he was recalled to active duty during the Korean crisis and was sent to Austria for three years. After his return to the States, he worked in the early space program at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama, until 1960.

While he was stationed for fifteen months in post-war Korea, his family lived in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Upon his return, Edgar was promoted to the Assistant Commandant for the Officer's Candidate School, one of his most rewarding positions. He completed his Army career as a Lieutenant Colonel at Fort Shafter, Honolulu, Hawaii.

After retiring in 1968, he and his family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where he was the head of the Larimer County Recreation Department for several years, was a part-time graduate student at Colorado State University and was involved in many organizations including the Lion's Club where he became District Governor.

Edgar's favorite pastimes included fishing, bowling and swimming (he repeatedly participated in the Senior Olympics).

He is survived by his wife, Beatrice Marvel; four sons, James Ebbert Marvel (Norma), David Charles Marvel (Judy), Daniel Whetstone Marvel (Rita), and Matthew Edgar Marvel; one daughter, Elizabeth Marvel Robertson (Gerald); 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, 29 March 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church, Worcester, New York. The Reverend Paul Messner will conduct the service. Burial will be in Craig, Colorado, at a later date. A social hour will be held following the service at the Presbyterian Church.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.skinnerfuneralchapel.com

E.J. Skinner Co., 155 Main Street in Worcester, is handling funeral arrangements.