Obituary of Marvin Erwin Donaldson

Marvin "Marv" Erwin Donaldson passed away peacefully into the arms of God, August 7, 2022.Marv was the second child of Mack and Grace Donaldson, born March 1, 1937 in Kansas City, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace; and sister, Lois. He is survived by his brother, Richard; and children, Terri Gerner, Mike Donaldson, and Robin Znetko; and six wonderful grandchildren.Marv spent his early years working on his family's commercial dairy farm, taking care of the daily duties which included everything from feeding and watering the cows, and running the milking equipment, to planting and harvesting hay. During that same time, he developed a keen interest in anything with an internal-combustion engine. Early in his school career, educators took notice of his computer-like cognitive abilities, and quickly advanced him through the K-12 system (we're not sure if he ever actually earned passing grades in any subject besides math to technically earn the diploma). He studied physics and theoretical mathematics at Kansas University ultimately achieving a master's degree.After college, Marv joined the ranks of the first generation of computer programmers by taking a job at the Kansas Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) programming an IBM 650 (early generation digital computer). From there he went on to a long career in computers as a systems analyst, working on projects in everything from particle physics to banking. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hiking, camping, skiing and dirt bike riding. He was known to introduce others to his passion for the outdoors in a highly energetic and unconventional manner. Celebration of Life, 1:30PM, Sunday, September 4, 2022, Colorado Springs, Colorado.Marvin will be buried with his wife at Mound Chapel Cemetery in Stark City, Missouri. A private graveside service will be held for him at the cemetery in May of 2023.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to your favorite charity or Mercy's Gate.