It is with profound sadness, reverence, and love that we announce the passing of Marshall Dyer Jr., a legend in the Arkansas River boating community and to his friends, family, and loved ones. Marshall passed at 77 in 29 Palms, CA near his daughter, Allison Beazell, and her husband, Ross, on July 7, 2024.   

Marshall made his mark on the world the moment he arrived in it on June 17, 1947 to Marshall Dyer Sr. and Joan Harrison-Greene in Easton, Pennsylvania. He grew up as the oldest of five in Cleveland, Ohio, where he caused general mayhem and adventure through his early love of cars (something he shared with his brothers and his daughter), guns, and sailing. He started collecting stories early and passing his love of adventure and full-chested curiosity about the world to his friends and family. He even wrestled a bear once (no joke). 

Marshall's early career centered around working on foreign and performance cars in his and other's auto shops. He worked as head mechanic for a Trans Am racecar in the 1970s, traveling across the US to compete with his team against factory-sponsored race teams. 

He followed his brother Douglas "Bear" Dyer west around 1980-81 to try out this whitewater boating thing he had heard so much about. He was immediately hooked (and quickly joined up as a commercial guide for Arkansas Adventures in 1981), and spent every day after enamored with the parts of the natural world explored best in a sun-faded oar boat surrounded by friends. 

Most of the folks reading this will know Marshall as an original river rat. Someone who always had a kind word, a funny joke, or an interesting story to tell, no matter if you were visiting Salida for a day, had just moved here, or were part of the local crew. 

We often hear about the kinds of people who immediately light up a room and can make an lasting impression on everyone they meet. Marshall was that person. He was a catalyst that inspired others to seek joy, embrace life fully, and show up 100% as themselves (these are all lessons he spent extra care to instill in his daughter).

A distinguished mentor and educator, Marshall's legacy lies in the kindness and wisdom he's imparted on 5-6 generations of Arkansas guides. Even if you didn't have the chance to learn directly from him, there is a good chance you've learned his techniques, quips, and second-hand gold from many other guides if you've run the Ark over the last 40 years. 

In the off seasons, he worked as a ski school instructor at Monarch, head mechanic at Winter Park Resort, and supported the handicap ski program at Silver Creek. He also worked as bouncer and bartender at The Victoria Tavern and repaired computers around town. 

After the birth of his daughter, Allison, in 1993, Marshall passed on his love of all things wild places and whitewater, immediately integrating her into the close-knit Salida boating community in the 90s. As a single father after the death of Allison's mother in 1999, Marshall enthusiastically leaned into a lifetime of girl-dad hobbies, with the support of many amazing people in the Salida community to whom he was eternally grateful. 

With time, he transitioned to other jobs in the community, including as a school bus driver for the R-32-J Salida School District (and eventual driver union representative) and bus driver for the Rocky Mountain High Adventure Base boy scout camp. Many folks also likely know him from his time as the ice cream man driving a lime-green ice cream truck around town. 

In his later years, Marshall bought an RV and relocated to sunny southern California to be closer to his daughter and her husband after their wedding in 2022. He shared many memories with them admiring desert sunsets, playing with their dogs, and watching Formula 1 racing. 

His legacy is a powerful testament to his kind and adventurous spirit that touched all spheres of his life - as a mentor, teacher, friend, brother, and father. Marshall lived a life full of stories worth telling with people he loved. He leaves behind a void in the outdoor world, boating community, and in the hearts of his friends and family, especially his daughter, who will forever miss her confidant, best friend, and role model. 

We know Marshall is shining on in every sparkle, eddy, and rapid on the Arkansas (and beyond). He will be remembered by his friends, family, and community as he was in his heyday: Larger than life, tanned dark from the summer sun, and giggling as he pushes his boat into the next adventure.

He is survived by his daughter Allison Beazell (Ross) of Twentynine Palms, CA; son Marshall III; brothers John (Kate) of Wildwood, FL, Douglas "Bear" (Pat) of Salida, and Bill (Jean) of Salida; and nephew Reekah of Boulder, CO. He is preceded in death by his sister Dana Dyer Pierson (Joel) of Bloomington IN.

He would love nothing more than for you to get out and enjoy the river and share a memorable story of him with those you love. 

"Every man has to go down the river sometime."

In lieu of flowers, funds are being raised to support the family. Donations can be made at everloved.com/life-of/marshal… Please also consider making a donation to the Grand Canyon Trust in his honor at www.grandcanyontrust.org.

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