McKusick, Marshall B. 'Mac'

Marshall B. “Mac” McKusick, 83, professor emeritus, died Thursday, May 2, 2013, at his home. Private family services will take place.

Marshall Bassford McKusick was born Jan. 13, 1930, in Minneapolis, Minn., the son of Blaine C. and Marjory J. (Kirk) McKusick. Growing up in Minneapolis, after graduation from high school he attended and graduated with his B.A. and master's degrees from the University of Minnesota and his Ph.D. from Yale University. He became a professor of anthropology with the University of Iowa in 1960, with his career spanning 36 years, retiring in 1996. During this time from 1960 through 1975, he also served as the State Archeologist with the State of Iowa.

As an accomplished author of numerous books and publications he enjoyed his travels within Iowa, the United States and abroad doing research on the history of those people for his works. Marshall was the recipient of the Hamlin Garland Award for his book, Men of Ancient Iowa.

He was married to Charity Keoper on July 21, 1954, and later to Joye Ashton Davis on Jan. 13, 1982. He and Joye shared many years of traveling our state, our country and the world. Marshall particularly loved his bicycle travels on RAGBRAI here in Iowa and traveling throughout Europe on his bike! After becoming interested in collecting antique Erector sets he researched and wrote the book Discovering Late Erector sets 1963-1988.

His family includes his wife, Joye; children, Blaine Chase McKusick, Lucy McKusick Hershberger (Mike), Martin Rowley McKusick (Theresa Hobbs), Karen Davis Leibold (Charles), Debra Davis Germann (Keith) and Lori Davis Delong; grandchildren, Cassandra Hershberger (Jellani Darling), William Hershberger (Alison), Amanda Charity McKusick, Mitchell Edward McKusick, Jordan Hobbs, Sadie Hobbs, Kimberly Leibold, Krista Zweibohmer (Mike), Heidi Germann Mason (Jeff) and Gregory Germann; great-granddaughter, Jasmine Hershberger; and Mac's sister, Laura Bell Berthhold.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Blaine Chase McKusick.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory to Iowa City Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for his family and arrangements.

Published May 5, 2013 in The Gazette