THE SALEM DISTRICT Court building that he helped to build was rededicated in honor of the late Robert D. Marshall, who presided as Salem District Court judge for more than 20 years. The rededication was announced at a memorial reception held at the courthouse on Feb. 26.

Judge Marshall died Feb. 13 in Florida at the age of 74.

Born in Lawrence, Mass., on June 28, 1927, Marshall graduated from Lawrence High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 11th Airborne Division in Japan, from 1945 to 1947.

After his military service, Marshall went on to graduate from Boston University School of Business Administration and he earned his JD from Boston University Law School in1952. He was admitted to the Mass. Bar the same year and began his law career in private practice in Lawrence.

Marshall was admitted to the NH Bar in 1958, when he moved his law practice to Salem, NH. He was appointed a Salem District Court judge in 1976, a position in which he served until retiring at the mandatory age of 70 in 1998. During his judicial career, he was instrumental in the move to build the current Salem District Court and helped found the Salem Bar Association, which gives an award annually in his name. He also used to mentor young attorneys in the Salem area.

"He was well-respected in the court," said Salem District Court Judge John Korbey. "He was a firm but compassionate kind of guy."

Berge Nalbandian, a realtor and friend of Marshall’s for 45 years, agreed. "He always tried to help people out," he said. When young defendants appeared before Marshall in court, Nalbandian said, "he would do his best to give them advice and try to straighten them out."

George Khoury, a former Salem selectman and long-time friend, and Nalbandian recalled Marshall’s love of the law and of being a judge. "He loved the bench and he loved the practice of law," said Khoury.

Even after retiring from the bench, Marshall visited the district court – where a portrait of him hangs on a courtroom wall – every day and continued to work out of a small office in the courthouse. "He loved being a judge. One of the saddest days was when he had to retire," said Nalbandian.

Marshall was a member of the Salem posts of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club and American Legion, as well as a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Regiment and Greater Salem Bar Association. He helped found the Salem Boys Club in the early 1970s and the Derry-Salem Elks. He was also active in a number of other professional, civic and social organizations.

He was an avid reader, gardener and stamp collector.

About 750 people attended wakes for Marshall, and 150 friends, relatives and members of the legal and law enforcement communities attended his funeral mass at St. Patrick’s Church in Lawrence, Mass., on Feb. 19.

Survivors include his wife, Helen (Dupuis) Marshall of Salem; two sons, Steven Marshall of Salem and Craig Marshall of Windham; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Boys & Girls Club, c/o Ganley Fund, 3 Geremonty Dr., Salem, NH, 03079.

— Salem Observer staff writer Darrell Halen contributed to this report.

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