Marshall David Beach

Marshall David Beach, 72, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Phoenix, AZ after a sudden illness.   Dave was born on November 10, 1950 in Carlsbad, NM to Lester and Mary Seward Beach.  He grew up in Durango, CO, learning, exploring and helping on his family’s farm.  After graduation he sampled college before deciding to follow in his father’s footsteps and enlisting in the US Navy.  He served on both diesel and nuclear powered submarines during the Vietnam era.  While serving in Hawaii, Dave met and married his first wife and they welcomed a son, Travis.  After his service, Dave went to work for the Naval shipyard in Bremerton, WA as a civilian.

Years later Dave decided that life was too short to live in the rain, so he bought a convertible and moved to Arizona.  There he met the love of his life, Margie.  They were married in January 2001 and spent the next 22 years living their best lives together, loving each other truly and deeply.

Dave loved his wife, his family, and the great outdoors.  He loved being a Grandpa and adored his grandchildren. He was an avid hiker, a co-leader for the Verde Valley Skyliners Hiking Group and taking multi-day backpacking trips into the Grand Canyon several times.  Every year he volunteered his time to the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival which sparked a love of birdwatching in him.  He enjoyed coin collecting, reading, puzzles and taking every opportunity to travel the United States with his wife Margie.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Lester Beach and Mary Hess; by his brother Steven Beach and by his sister Susan Dowler. He is survived by his wife Margie Beach, his brother Jon (Amy) of SD, his sisters Judy Warwood of CA and Becky (John) Hofeldt of WY; his son Travis Beach of WA, his step-daughters Vada Taylor of IA and Liz (Johnny) Gooslin of Cottonwood; 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 2:00pm.

Memorial donations in Dave’s name may be made to Friends of the Verde River-VVBNF, PO Box 2535, Cottonwood, AZ  86326 or to Verde Historical Society, PO Box 511, Cottonwood, AZ  86326.