Eric Marland

Eric Marland

Cambridge, UK

Eric Matthew Marland of Cambridge, England passed away on March 20th, 2025.

Eric was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts to William “Bill” Marland and Barbara Marland (nee Sherer) on October 9th, 1957. They moved to West Branch, Iowa when he was 6 years old where his father was the Director of Studies at Scattergood Friends School and later a History instructor and President of the College Senate at Kirkwood Community College. The family expanded with the addition of his brother Adam “Jack” and sister Barbara.

Eric attended West Branch public school through his junior year and spent his senior year at Scattergood Friends School. After high school Eric attended Grinnell College where he studied art history. On a trip to Europe, Eric met the love of his life, Renee Spierdijk, at a Ravi Shankar concert at the Royal Albert Hall on January 20, 1978. His fate was sealed. He moved to London, married Renee, and studied art restoration which ultimately led him to his true calling as a letter carver.

Eric and Renee moved to Cambridge where they flourished as artists (she is a fine art painter) and as parents to their daughters Cornelia and Saskia. Eric purchased a Victorian chapel in the Ascension Burial Ground in Cambridge which he used as his workshop, where he taught lettering classes, trained a series of apprentices, and which he shared with Renee every summer when they both exhibited their art for Cambridge’s Open Studios. Eric enjoyed coming to Iowa to visit his mother, visit Scattergood Friends School, see his friend Eddie English and his wife Tanya, and enjoy the culture and people of Iowa City. He also kept in touch with his West Branch friends Tony Todd and Eric Schultz who live in Belgium and The Netherlands respectively.

Eric was an amazing person. He was kind and generous to his wife, daughters, siblings and friends. He was an ardent proponent of the arts and especially his medium of lettering in stone and his wife’s paintings. His chapel/workshop was always open to visitors where he’d regale them with stories of his craft.

His life was cut short by a succession of brain tumors. He exceeded expectations and survived two major surgeries. His strength, intellect and humor remained until the end. His family helped sustain him, especially the love and care provided by Renee.

Eric was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Barbara and his special aunt Marcia. He is survived by his wife Renee Spierdijk, daughters Cornelia (Niel Kisserli), Saskia (Tom Matthews), brother Adam (Felicia Morley), sister Barbara (Omar Figuroa) and his grandchildren Silas and Delphina who were both born shortly after his passing,

A memorial ceremony will be held at Storey’s Field Centre in Cambridge, England on November 30th.