Robert LeRoy Marsh

Robert LeRoy Marsh, of Sherwood, was born April 4, 1943 to Dollie (Hudson) and Robert Harold Marsh. Bob grew up as an "Air Force brat" living in Louisiana, Texas, Germany and the Philippine Islands but when asked he always stated that Emerson, Arkansas, was his home town. The Hudson and Marsh homes, with his grandparents, were places of great pleasure to him, for it was there that Bob learned to hunt, got to hang out with his cousins and enjoyed the "country" cooking of his Granny Hudson. Bob was a very bright and multi-talented man. His musical talents were manifested in middle school when he took up the flute, clarinet, trumpet, saxophone and even the xylophone when a band piece called for a solo but no one else knew how to play the instrument. At State High School in Bossier City, La., he lead the stage band and arranged music to suit their style and his own taste, taught voice and drum lessons and worked summer jobs repairing wind instruments and selling ladies shoes. Following high school, Bob turned down his acceptance at Berklee College of Music to follow a more practical career in accounting. He received his B.S. in accounting from Northeast Louisiana State College in record time while working full time and racing his Triumph on the country roads of Louisiana. Bob served in the US Army Reserves from 1965 to 1971. Bob's professional career included: supervisor of software development at Murphy Oil in El Dorado, Ark., Manager, Systems and Programming at Petro-Tex Chemical Corporation in Houston, Texas; Director of Accounting at North Little Rock Utilities Accounting Department; Director of Finance for the AR Department of Human Services; part-time police officer; Administrative Director of the Max Howell Child and Family Life Institute at UAMS Department of Pediatrics; and Comptroller for Pulaski County. He was always ahead of "the curve" in developing innovative computer programs and methods for efficient and effective management. Along the way he developed skills that reflected the full speed ahead way that he tackled every activity that interested him – certifying as an NRA expert marksman, fishing like a pro, bagging too many deer to remember, learning to fly a private plane, learning to play the guitar, and raising a very large garden. His last four years have been spent waging a magnificent battle against acute myeloid leukemia. His bravery and determination were amazing. Unfortunately the cure for this disease has not been found. Bob passed away at home in "his den" with his wife, brother, and beloved beagle Champ in attendance. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Carolyn Young Marsh; his mother, Dollie Marsh of North Little Rock; one daughter, Penny Plunkett (Greg) and grandson Walker Riley Plunkett of Atlanta, Ga.; brother, Charles Randall Marsh (Rhonda); niece, Melody Marsh Jones (Matt) of Sherwood; nephew, Jacob Marsh of North Little Rock; one great-niece, Morgan; one great nephew Tyler; Aunt Frances Hudson of North Little Rock; several cousins and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his father and hero, Colonel Robert H Marsh (USAF retired). Thanks to Dr. Laura Hutchins, Kathy, Donna, and Brenda at the Medical Oncology Clinic, UAMS Cancer Institute, and to the entire staff of Infusion 1 for your kind and compassionate care over the last four years. A special thanks to good friend, Larry Arnold, who made it possible for Bob to continue hunting when he was no longer physically able to do so on this own. He looked forward to these outings all year. Memorial Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Ark. 72116 (501-791-7400). Following the service friends and family are welcome at Bob's Home. In Lieu of Flowers, the family suggests, memorials be made to Sherwood Animal Shelter or UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Online Guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.