"I read of a reverend who stood to speak at the funeral of friend. He referred to the dates on his tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of his birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that he spent alive on earth... and now only those who loved him know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own; the cars.. the house.. the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash."
From The Dash, by Linda Ellis
Although he was taken from those who knew and loved him far too soon, "The Dash" of Marshall Sturm will live on forever in us all. His ever present smile, kind, gentle nature, and warm, wonderful spirit, was geniune, and no matter how you knew him, or for how long, you could not help but feel it's power and be inspired.
Although saddened by the loss of someone so influential in our lives, incredibly the words and emotions expressed by each and every person that I have come in contact with since his passsing are not of regret or sorrow, but of joy for knowing him, and gratitude for having him in our lives.
Time and time again my mind comes back to Linda's wonderful poem.
"So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?"
If ever there was someone deserving of feeling that pride, it is Marshall K. Sturm.
Thank you Marshall, rest in peace......
If you would like to say something about Marshall and what he meant to you, please feel free to do so in the comments section of this post, or you can send it to Marshall Sturm Tribute and we will get it posted on the website.
Just wanted to say that Marshall was a tremendous source of inspiration to myself as well as ALL the other ruggers back in the Glorious 60's. He knew and loved the game (and the paties AND all the songs) and his enthusiasm was a vital force in getting the great game up and running at Penn State, I'll never forget him, his smile [even when most of the other team was crashing down on him), and his friendship.
We'll all miss ya Marshall and hope [and pray] that you've got a new team going for us when we meet again.
luv ya man, Swede