Ronald Court (in Vermont) on February 24, 2009 at 04:58 AM said:

Back in the early 80's, I had no idea what Libertarianism was. Then someone brought me to hear a man named Marshall Fritz, who came to VT under auspices of the barely known Libertarian Party of VT. His "stump" speech, wherein he cites John Adams, and introduced me to the World's Smallest Political Quiz, has changed my life. Were it not for him (and others who followed), I would not be living out my own "bucket list" by founding the Booker T. Washington Society to cultivate character, education and opportunity among young people. God Bless you, Marshall Fritz.

Robert on February 14, 2009 at 05:47 PM said:

It's always sad to lose a great and inspiring advocate of freedom. May his work continue to benefit all of America. Don't let his lessons be lost.

Sharlene Holt on November 28, 2008 at 01:33 AM said:

I met Marshall at a conference for the Alliance for the Separation of School and State in the mid-1990's, and I signed the Proclamation. I had just read Lewis J. Perlman's "School's Out," which appears now to be out of print, and I met Mr. Perlman at the conference along with John Taylor Gatto. Around that time I was championing Educational Savings Accounts, and Britton Manasco mentioned my name in his article, Factory-like schooling may soon be a thing of the past.

It's too bad we still have plenty of factory-like schooling going on! Marshall's energy toward establishing a more libertarian future for education will be missed.

Patty (Reid) on November 23, 2008 at 01:15 PM said:

Marshall, When we spoke of you it was never by name but it was always as the Jolly Green Giant from the old CFM days! This is how I will always remember you, the gentle giant.

You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. May the Good Lord bless you and your family.

Love, Patty

Sunny Abarbanell, Fresno, Ca. on November 19, 2008 at 10:54 PM said:

I met Marshall at a Libertarian meeting probably 35-37 years ago. We hadn't seen each other until David, his wonderful grandson, played his first piano recital in my living room music studio. David did remarkably well and we all were proud of his accomplishments. We made the connection that politics brought us together initially and then many years later, his family and music.
 

I remember reading letters to the editor in the local newspaper that Marshall had written in support of freedom. Those are values that we continually share.

I am sorry for your loss. We have lost another champion of freedom. He will sorely be missed.

Alan R. Weiss on November 17, 2008 at 11:09 AM said:

I never knew Marshall, and I never met him. But I did meet and come to befriend one of his proteges, Varrin Swearingen, who attended Marshall's school and became a President of the Free State Project. Like Marshall, like Varrin, like Dr. Ron Paul, and like myself, Christian Libertarians are principled, but not joyless. If Marshall was anything like Varrin (and I believe he probably was), he must have been a real joy. God bless you, Marshall, and bless your family. May your Good Work continue on in the hearts and minds of those whom you have directly, or indirectly, touched.

Ken Mitchell on November 16, 2008 at 06:07 AM said:

I was a classmate of Marshall's as well as a fellow Libertarian. We reconnected in 1999 because I was trying to set up a school reunion. My cousin was home schooling his son, and I learned what Marshall was devoting his life to. We kept in touch due to our common agreement of school choice. He'll be missed. Best to his family.

Alex McKenna on November 14, 2008 at 12:01 PM said:

Marshall was a 'giant' physically and intellectually. One of a rare breed with the courage to be 'correct' rather than 'politically correct.’ Unfortunately, I didn't know him well enough. But the Marshall I came to know will always be remembered by me as a decent Christian man who lived life with zest and committed to using the talent God gave him to the fullest.

Sheldon Richman on November 14, 2008 at 08:14 AM said:

He was a friend and inspiration. I loved the man. I will miss him dearly.

Danielle Littlefield Monahan on November 13, 2008 at 06:38 PM said:

After my husband, Jay M. Littlefield, died in September 1997, Marshall allowed me to have a scholarship to attend the seminar on The Separation of School and State in November 1997 in the Washington DC area. The seminar was great and so was Marshall! I will never forget his kindness. At the time, I believe he was battling prostate cancer and was doing well. Condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.

Annie McKenna, daughter on November 13, 2008 at 05:26 PM said:

Thank you for all of your kind words. This is an amazing tribute to my father, your friend. His grandchildren will truly know the goodness of their grandfather from all of your words and memoirs.

Thank you, through tears, and utter joy for my father; that his message was heard, LOUD and CLEAR!

"Seek the truth. Conform your life to it."- Marshall Fritz.

Alan Bock on November 13, 2008 at 02:14 PM said:

I hadn't been in touch with Marshall except occasionally by phone for some years, although I knew from others that he kept ministering to others and seeking ways to comfort and encourage them even as he knew his life was ending. That was not surprising. He was one of the kindest people I ever met. He was (is) one of the good guys -- somebody who not only thought and talked about liberty but did things, tried things, kept experimenting, always willing to let the market tell him whether he was succeeding or not. He succeeded at a life well lived.

Robert Knight on November 13, 2008 at 10:18 AM said:

Marshall's unflagging good humor and energy were inspiring and infectious. He is already greatly missed. May God bless Joan and his children and their families.

Bob and Peg Smiley on November 12, 2008 at 08:11 PM said:

We will miss Marshall. Reason Foundation will miss him too. Warmly.
 

We commented, when we first learned of Marshall's illness, on May 26, 2008 and wished Marshall and his family all the best that was possible to him.

Craig Rolph on November 10, 2008 at 02:14 PM said:

Marshall was the most humble, kind, just and honest person I have ever met. We met back in the 1980's in Christian Businessmen's Committee. Later he would visit us and stay with us in Denver, Colorado while he was gaining support for the Separation of School and State Alliance. I love Marshall and am sad I was not able to see him before he went to his home with his Father in heaven, but I do look forward to that immense bear hug of his when I see him again.

Mark Hatton on November 10, 2008 at 11:41 AM said:

I had not heard Marshall was sick. This comes as very sad news. I wish I could have spoke to him before he passed. I first met Marshall through his son Gene back in 1984. Gene and I played basketball at Kings River Community College together. Marshall made his mark at our games with his chants of "GO KINGS RIVER". He was seriously one of the loudest human beings I have ever come across. He was also one of the kindest men I have ever seen. He opened his home and heart to anyone that was Gene’s friend. He was a tremendous human being.
 

Yearly since then, Marshall would make it a point to call me from time to time to discuss politics. We disagreed on nearly everything when debating our schools, but I cannot remember a time I did not enjoy every minute of our conversations. Marshall was a patriot.

I can only hope I can contact Gene and let him know just how sorry I am that Marshall is gone. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Mark Hatton Tulare Union High School

Jeff Myers on November 10, 2008 at 06:06 AM said:

Marshall and I met at an event in Washington DC a number of years ago, probably a Concerned Women for America event. We went to breakfast together and he brought out this huge binder with all of the names and addresses of people he had met and talked to about Separation of School and State. I thought to myself, "This man is SERIOUS about tracking down every major leader and getting a commitment from them to his cause!" Though we only visited a few times, I always enjoyed discussing issues with him--especially friendly debates about Catholic vs. Protestant apologetics. This website is inspirational: "I'm terminal. So are you" is a reminder that both life and death are gifts from God and that our time here is to be stewarded meaningfully. Marshall, rest in peace. To the Fritz family, may you be blessed as you mourn, and comforted as Jesus promised.

E. Ray Moore, Jr., Th.M. on November 10, 2008 at 05:05 AM said:

When I started the Exodus Mandate Project in 1997, Marshall was one of the first to call up and offer his help. His life was a blessing and challenge too. He helped stretch me to attempt things I might not have considered. We traveled together frequently and were used to encourage other new or smaller organizations and ministries to work in the K-12 Christian education or educational freedom vineyard. He helped grow the movement and will be remembered as a "founder and pioneer." Marshall was a real friend to so many and one way to keep his memory alive is for all of us to continue in these same frienships and labor in the vineyard on behalf of educational freedom and the children he loved so much.

E. Ray Moore, Founder and Director of the Exodus Mandate Project.

Christina Jeffrey on November 9, 2008 at 04:07 PM said:

Marshall and I connected and yet were so different. I am a chronic politician, he hated politics; I am a lapsed libertarian, he was an avid one. The differences go on but the similarities were more important and included our love of freedom, our love of God, country, family and the Church; also our concern for real education and our mutual respect. That always amazed me because he was 200 percent more active and 1000 percent more effective and yet I knew he respected me. It was touching and I loved him for it. The fact that he was so utterly honest, created a trust factor that cemented my affection for him. One of his great skills was the ability to be a great friend; and that friendship was fueled by his enormous generosity. I miss him acutely and always will because there are some stories that just need to be shared with Marshall--fortunately, I know he's still keeping up with us, even absent his enormous contact list and ever-ringing cell phone. God bless you Marshall and may you rest (no doubt for the first time since your creation) in peace. Amen

Tammy Drennan on November 9, 2008 at 08:23 AM said:

I knew and worked with Marshall for almost fourteen years. The thing I most admired about him was his utter honesty. He always sought to understand, never pretended he did when he didn’t, and had no interest in being surrounded by yes-men or people who would stroke his ego (though he was just as honest in admitting that he had an ego, that it was as fragile as the next guy’s, and that he liked criticisms to be prefaced with a few positive words). He was the kind of person you could call up and say, “I have an idea,” and he really wanted to hear it. He loved an intellectual challenge and welcomed it no matter where it came from. He embraced opinions that opposed his own and grappled with them until he felt he could address them fairly. We need a lot more of this in our times. The world will be a poorer place without Marshall Fritz.

David C Schupbach on November 9, 2008 at 12:58 AM said:

A Great Man...

Drew Thompson on November 8, 2008 at 07:43 AM said:

I am very sad that the turns in my own life made it impossible for me to come and see Marshall one more time before his death. I met Marshall during the infancy of the Alliance in the middle 1990's.
 

He was a mentor and a profound influence in my life. He helped motivate me to keep my own children of the government run system while I was able to make the decision to do so.
 

I spent many hours on the phone with him, in the later years often talking about his faith in God rather than about education. Of course, the two are closely joined and it was his faith that fed his strength and commitment to separation.
 

It was at SepCon in 1998, where I had an epiphany about my own faith and came literally transformed in my beliefs. I know Marshal rests with God in His loving arms where he most assuredly has heard, "Well done faithful servant!"
 

I feel Marshall's spirit and presence. I am moved deeply to take up the cause of limited government and to advocate for separation much more strongly than I have in recent years.
 

This cause is a patient vigil. It demands a micro-revolution to succeed. But our future and the future of our children and their children are at stake. A revolution is not too great a task to see that the cause Marshall Fritz so boldly championed will someday prevail.

I am devoting my newest work endeavor: America:The Next Generation, to a continuation of the work Marshall has begun. I would love to hear from Marshall's friends and those who share the dream of the Alliance and stay in touch.

His life was not lived in vain. Not for his family, his friends - and certainly nor for Separation.

I love you, Marshall Fritz! You are home! May your family be blessed and at peace.

Sharon (Shari) Rice on November 7, 2008 at 08:09 PM said:

Marshall and I probably wouldn't have recognized each other walking down the street, because it's been 22 or so years since we saw each other. I went to highschool with his daughter Ann and he brought Advocates for Self-Government to our school. It was from Marshall I learned that there were other flavors besides Republinilla and Choclocrat.
 

I was so taken with Marshall's conviction that I volunteered/ interned for a while with him in ASG. More than any other role model, Marshall demonstrated that thinking clearly and freely - questioning the paradigm - was a valuable, moral, and necessary duty of each person of integrity. He also taught me to shake hands with a firm grip, so that older people and men would take me more seriously. He had a big influence on me. Today I am an administrative law judge and president of my professional association, and without his encouragement, I might not have ended up being respected by the older people and men who make up my profession!
 

I haven't been in touch with Marshall since 1985 or 1986, but it saddens me to learn only after his death of his life's continuing work in social activism on topics dear to his heart. I knew him when! Also, it is a shame to lose so young someone who is exactly the kind of person this country needs today.
 

Marshall, I'm sorry to have lost touch and sorry to have let time get away without my thanking you. I thank you now. My condolences to Marshall's family, especially Ann.
 

Sharon (Shari) Rice Edmonds, Washington

Gibb Martin on November 7, 2008 at 06:19 PM said:

This election provides a glaring example of how right Marshall was; until we separate schools from government, liberty will not flourish. Rest with God, my friend and mentor. Well done!

Bill Kalles on November 7, 2008 at 05:39 PM said:

I find myself crying because of the death of a man I never met. I've known a few people who knew him and read about him through the years.
 

Marshall Fritz was one of the good guys. His keen intellect will be missed, but I pray it will be better remembered in the years to come.

Greg and Deb Lefevre on November 7, 2008 at 04:09 PM said:

Marshall entered the room voice first. You can hear it now, can't you? In a world of air-filled and content-free sound bites, Marshall's proclamations were meaningful, lean, witty and wise. It was a joy to be in his presence---and an honor.

Rich Leonardi on November 7, 2008 at 03:14 PM said:

Marshall and I met when I was president of Ohio's Buckeye Institute in the late nineties, and he's one of the few people with whom I managed to keep in touch. He was funny, principled, and indefatigably optimistic. A good man died Tuesday.

John Harris on November 7, 2008 at 12:47 PM said:

I had the privilege attending a small dinner in Marshall's honor at the Faculty Club at Stanford and will never forget what a gentleman and champion of liberty he was. That was my first exposure to The Quiz. Liberty has lost one of her strongest and ablest warriors.

Kaleb Axon on November 7, 2008 at 11:41 AM said:

I met Marshall through the Alliance for the Separation of School and State, and in person three times. Like others here, I learned much from him about libertarian ideas; but his most profound influence on me was in my spiritual walk.
 

Marshall taught me the right way to think about church history, and he taught me what a sacrament is. It was Marshall who taught me to think of the Church as something more than merely a gathering of believers for fellowship.
 

At a time when I was put off by the false teachings and crazy practices I was seeing in the Church, it was Marshall who finally rid me of my fuzzy thinking and set me on a path out of Evangelicalism. He did not achieve his goal of converting me to Catholicism; nevertheless, his influence on me and my family has been profound and life-changing.
 

I can honestly say that I am the person I am today because of Marshall Fritz.
 

Kaleb Axon Overland Park, KS

Lisa Snell on November 7, 2008 at 08:32 AM said:

At reason online, I remember him as an eloquent champion who believed and practiced the notion that liberty starts at home.

I knew Marshall Fritz as the founder of the Alliance for the Separation of School and State. He wisely advised that "Sunday School, Monday School—Neither is the Business of Government." He wrote, "some people think that the American "public school system" is broken so they try to fix it. The truth is that public schooling is not broken. Rather, it is succeeding in its main objective—strengthening government by undermining parents..."
 

As education reform advocates argued about what counts as markets in education and what are legitimate forms of school choice—from vouchers to tax credits to charter schools—Marshall was never willing to settle for half-measures. As he advised in a 2005 reason piece, "Let a Thousand Choices Bloom," "Start with your own children. Remove them from school-by-government. You'll not be paying twice for education: You'll pay taxes for the state to harm other people's children, but you'll pay only once for education—your children's."

William C. Ferry on November 7, 2008 at 05:12 AM said:

Marshall saved my life by starting the Advocates for Self-Government, whose Columbus chapter, started by George Schwappach, sent Linda Comstock to find me based on the libertarian-sounding letters to the editor I had been writing to the Columbus Dispatch.

I was lost, but then was found.
 

My time with my Advocates friends led to me shaping up my own life, returning to finish my undergraduate degree (in Poli Sci and Econ, of course!), and then to law school.
 

We all will miss him, but I carry him--his bigness, his voice, his smile, in my heart every day. And I hardly knew him.