Walter J. Marm, former state trooper, dies

Wednesday, January 28, 1998

Walter J. Marm, former state trooper, dies

By Kathie O. Warco
Walter J. Marm had two sides. On one side he was a tenacious police investigator, intent on finding the truth; on the other side, he was a kind, considerate and gentle man.

Marm, 85, of 252 Crest Ave., Washington, died at 1 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1998, in UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh. He suffered an apparent stroke Monday afternoon before his car went off Country Club Road in South Strabane Township and hit a utility pole.
Marm's son, Walter "Joe" J. Marm Jr., a 1966 Congressional Medal of Honor winner, said his father was on his way home from one of his favorite activities at the time of the accident. Marm had just played a round of golf at Washington Country Club, and according to his son, he often golfed there with his buddy of 20 years, Joseph Bell of Canonsburg.
"He was probably one of oldest, active golfers in town," Joseph Marm said. "He and Joe used to walk the holes together. It's pretty hilly."
Marm joined the Pennsylvania State Police in 1935. He retired in 1966 as a sergeant in charge of the criminal investigation unit at the Washington barracks.
Joseph Marm said state troopers weren't paid a lot back then but his father always managed to somehow provide for the family.
"He took care of us," Joseph Marm said. "All of his children have college degrees. That's a tribute to him and my mom."
Marm took his investigative experience to the Washington County district attorney's office in 1968, after two years as a security officer for Union Electric Steel Co. in Burgettstown. Mr. Marm was chief county detective through 1982, working for former district attorneys Jess D. Costa and Herman Bigi.
Washington County Senior Judge John F. Bell remembers Marm's bulldog-like tenacity in investigating cases. Bell was an assistant district attorney when Mr. Marm joined the office.
Bell attributed much of his friend's persistence to his years spent boxing. Mr. Marm was a welterweight Golden Gloves champion. He boxed in the 160-pound weight class, became a State and Senior AMA Champ, and in 1997 was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame for boxing.
"He pursued leads like a bulldog hanging onto a bone," Bell said. "He was never out to get somebody, but he was out to find the truth of the matter."
But there was a warm side to Marm, particularly when it came to friends and family.
"He was sympathetic and very compassionate," the senior judge added. "He was a very gentle man. He had a long and good life, and I'm thankful to have known him," Bell said. "We'll definitely miss him. I know I will."
Marm also had the highest of values, agreed Bell and Bigi.
"He was one of the finest, most moral men I've ever met in my life," Bigi said. "I am totally saddened by his death," said the Charleroi attorney. "He was one of most personable men I've met in government."
Despite his many accomplishments, Marm's proudest moment was when his son was awarded the nation's highest military honor following his first of two tours in Vietnam.
"It was the highest point in my life," Marm was quoted as saying in a 1982 Observer-Reporter interview. "I kept thinking how many others received the award...and here was my son standing there receiving it with 35 generals present."
Born June 9, 1912, in Hazelwood, he was a son of Louis and Mary Hoge Marm.
Mr. Marm first worked for B&O Railroad, where he was a union organizer. While with the state police, Marm was a member of the Pennsylvania State Police Pistol Team, and became one of the top shooters. He also served as president of the Pennsylvania County Detective's Association.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church; Holy Name Society of the church; Knights of Columbus Council 1083 and the 4th Degree Bishop Boyle Assembly of the Knights of Columbus.
An avid golfer, he was a member of the Washington Country Club. He also belonged to Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 776.
On April 25, 1939, in St. Phillips Catholic Church, Crafton, he married Dorothy A. Fogel, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, retired Army Col. Walter "Joe" J. Marm Jr., Fremont, N.C.; two daughters, Patricia Grable of Fallston, Md., and Nancy L. Crumrine of Columbus, Ohio; a sister, Alda Ferko of San Diego, Calif.; six grandsons, Capt. Walter J. Marm III, Justin P. Marm, William J. Marm, Jordan E. Grable, Branden A. Grable and Thomas J. Crumrine Jr.; four granddaughters, Courtney E. Marm, Carrie E. Grable, Michele R. Crumrine and Alison M. Crumrine; a great-granddaughter; three great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are a daughter, Dorothy Marie Marm; a brother, William Marm; and two sisters, Matilda Burns and Madeline Saw.
Staff writer Heidi Price contributed to this story.