Marshall's scholarship and inspirational teaching abilities had a profound impact on students and colleagues alike.
"Peter K. Marshall was my professor in the classroom and in life," said Meggan Arp '01. "He had the unique combination of brilliance, sensitivity and high expectations for those in whom he recognized a passion for the classics, for those in whom he recognized a strong desire to achieve."
"Peter Marshall was an extraordinary scholar with a better command of Latin than most ancient Romans had," added Professor of Classics Rebecca Sinos. "He was also an extraordinary teacher, who communicated beautifully with a great range of students, from those who sought his expertise as a thesis advisor, to the fraternity members whose lobster feasts, some years ago, he attended and enjoyed as much as anyone did."
Marshall began teaching at the College in 1959 and continued until early this semester, when his illness forced him to take a leave. He taught Latin courses and other offerings in the classics department.
"He was extraordinary-a very active and a very talented scholar," said President Tom Gerety. "His death came as a huge surprise to his colleagues here."
"I don't think I have ever known anyone who lived more fully, in all the best ways, than Peter did," said Sinos.
Marshall's wry sense of humor exemplified, for many, the essence of his character.
"Professor Marshall was always making us laugh," said Laura Marshall '01. "I heard some of his stories a few times because I took several Latin courses with him, but they were always funny, both to us and to him. His teaching style was informal but thorough, and he moved rapidly through Latin texts, keeping us on our toes."
"The combination of his passion for life and his British reserve resulted in wonderful humor," said Sinos. "He came up with dry and hilarious observations about all kinds of things, past and present, and unforgettable stories about Oxford and his early days at Amherst."
Gerety said that Marshall tutored him for the Latin he had to pronounce during graduation ceremonies. "He never felt that I got it right," Gerety added jokingly.
Indeed, Marshall guided more than one student to the pursuit of classics.
"Peter Marshall inspired me to become a classicist," said Umit Dhuga '01. "We talked often, but seldom, in fact, about classics."
"He treated us as scholars, even if we were still learning the fundamentals, in a manner that engendered the desire for us to arrive at the point of ability to which he wished we would prescribe," said Arp. "[The] dream of mine to be a professor of classics was inspired and made possible because of Professor Marshall. Although his death has been one of the greatest losses I have ever felt, I will transfer the intensity of my emotions towards dedicating my own life to the study of the classics in a manner that I wish will make him proud."
Marshall is survived by his wife, Nadia Margolis, and his two daughters, Alison and Jennifer.