Marshall Turner: RIP
Tim Storey writes at The Thicket: It is with deep sorrow that I report the passing of one of NCSL's great friends. Marshall Turner died yesterday in a Maryland hospital only a few short years after retiring from the U.S. Census Bureau. While at the Census Bureau, Marshall worked hand-in-hand with NCSL for nearly 30 years. He was instrumental in the development of the Bureau's redistricting data office and the implementation of the PL 94-171 law that governs census redistricting data. During his time at the Bureau, Marshall probably attended hundreds of NCSL meetings and conferences and was a constant source of information and wisdom. He must have given the "census 101" talk at least 50 times, yet he always cheerfully agreed to do it when called upon. Marshall was a leading authority on redistricting in the United States and was always available to legislators and legislative staff who had questions about the census or redistricting. And he never failed to look out for the interests of legislatures within the Bureau. -- Read Tim's whole post --> The Thicket at State Legislatures: NCSL loses a Friend
I first met Marshall when I was going to NCSL meetings on redistricting. I came away from hearing him thinking that the Census Bureau was one of the friendliest federal agencies. We once had a long talk as we sat waiting for our delayed plane in an airport somewhere. We talked about work, our families, how we got into what we were doing, and so on. He was a great guy to sit and talk to.
My condolences to his family and friends. But I am sure Marshall is already organizing the Great Census in the Sky.