F. Marshall Fischrupp

F. Marshall Fischrupp, born in Charlotte, NC on October 13, 1929, passed away on January 31, 2020. Frederic Marshall Fischrupp experienced the hardships of the depression, World War II and polio, yet overcame them all to become a devoted husband, loving father and one of Alabama’s most celebrated and successful architects. At six-years-old, Marshall moved to St. Croix in the Virgin Islands with his mother who worked as secretary to the President of the Virgin Islands Company. The islands fostered his love of the sea, boating and exotic travel. He became an avid sailor and was a lifelong member of the Fairhope Yacht Club. During his final year at Auburn University, where he earned his degree in architecture, Marshall married Robbie Bowling and they moved to Mobile where Marshall had landed a job with architectural firm Deitz and Prince. Within a year, he’d made partner and the firm changed its name to Deitz, Prince and Fischrupp. A highly disciplined and self-proclaimed perfectionist, Marshall was admired by his clients who knew every job would be completed to the highest standards of excellence. His reliability and award-winning designs won the firm numerous contracts, especially during the beach condominium boom of the 1980s, an accomplishment that catapulted DPF into one of the largest firms in the state. A proponent of modernism in the spirit of Wright, van der Rohe and Rudolph, Marshall’s designs were admired for both their form and function. Because he had such a love for his occupation, he often said he never considered it work. As a devout Christian, he was one of the founders of the Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church in 1961 and later designed a small chapel, fellowship hall, and offices for staff which in 1963 (which won an architectural award.) After a successful career Marshall retired at age 65 and spent the next 20 years touring the world on cruise ships with Robbie. Collectively, the couple spent more than a year at sea visiting countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. He was also a self-taught and prolific wood turner and created astounding, museum-quality original art, from wine corks to six-foot tall vases. In his tiny workshop, Marshall crafted approximately 100 intricately designed and beautifully polished pieces. Although he was a proud American, Marshall sometimes threatened to “move to New Zealand” whenever our political system disappointed him, which was often. In the end, he and Robbie stayed in Spanish Fort in the same house they built and lived in for 61 years. For the record, they did visit New Zealand on several occasions. Marshall was well known for his uncanny intellect, jokester sense of humor and devotion to his family. He was loved by many, respected by all and left a positive mark on this world. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Robbie, daughters Tracy Krause and Blair Garth and her husband Fred Garth and grandchildren Grace Krause, Stephen “Trey” Krause, Teal Garth and Adia Garth. Services will be held at the Spanish Fort Presbyterian Church on Friday, February 7, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital (w ww.stjude.org) or Bayside Medical Missions (www.baysidemedicalmissions.org).     ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 27409 US HWY 98 DAPHNE, AL 36526 (251)625-2900