Marvin Alder Lanphere's Obituary
Marvin Alder Lanphere, 90, husband of the late Joyce Elvia Lanphere, passed away Friday, October 2023 in Redwood City, California. Born September 29, 1933, in Spokane, Washington, Marvin was the son of the late Dale and Elsie Lanphere.
Marvin earned his bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering from the Montana School of Mines (now Montana Tech) in 1955, and his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the California Institute of Technology, finishing his education there in 1962.
Marvin met his wife Joyce in 1959 while both were living in the Los Angeles area. They became engaged in 1960 and married on July 1, 1961. They were married for 56 years when Joyce passed away in July 2017.
In 1962, Marvin began a long and distinguished career with the United States Geological Survey, retiring in 2001 with the title Research Geologist Emeritus. During his career he authored or co-authored more than 180 scholarly publications, including the book Potassium-Argon Dating, which he co-authored with his colleague and friend Brent Dalrymple in 1970. In 2006, Marvin received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Montana Tech for bringing “honor and recognition to his alma mater.”
Marvin was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto for more than 50 years, where he sang in the church choir and served periodically as a Deacon and Elder. Marvin was involved for many years with Palo Alto Swim Club (now PASA) and United States Swimming, officiating at swim meets and overseeing the Scholastic All-American program, which recognizes scholar-athletes from across the nation. In 1989, Marvin and Joyce were given the Marie Samora Award for outstanding volunteer service by Pacific Swimming, and in 1991 they were the inaugural honorees of Palo Alto Swim Club’s Lanphere Award for their work with the club. In 2012, they were given an Outstanding Service Award by
United States Swimming for their administration of the Scholastic All-American program. In addition to his involvement with his church and amateur swimming, Marvin loved good food and wine, and was an avid camper and world traveler.
Marvin is survived by his daughters Christine and Darci, his son Andrew, his grandson Mason and granddaughter Peyton, and his younger sister Marilyn.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, 1140 Cowper Street. Donations in Marvin’s memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1140 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, California 94301.
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