By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MARIEMONT - Birdo Marsh, a former semi-pro athlete and member of Terrace Park's first recreation commission, died Friday at Mercy St. Teresa Center in Mariemont. He was 95.

A native of Hyde Park, Mr. Marsh graduated from Withrow High School, where he excelled in baseball, football, basketball, track and art. He studied architecture at the University of Cincinnati, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

He played basketball for the Central YMCA Wildcats, traveling throughout the Midwest and South playing against college, military and semi-pro teams.

He also played semi-pro football in Northern Kentucky and semi-pro baseball with a Tristate league.

Mr. Marsh coached Knothole and municipal youth baseball teams in Mariemont and Terrace Park for more than 30 years. He also coached basketball and football and served on the Terrace Park Recreation Commission from 1951 until 1964. He was chairman of the commission from 1956 to 1959.

Mr. Marsh was a commercial marketing and personnel manager for Cincinnati Bell, retiring in 1971 after 37 years.

He was a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America and served on volunteer fire departments in Mariemont and Terrace Park. Mr. Marsh was a member of Mariemont Lodge No. 707 F&AM, and the Christian Science Church in Hyde Park.

Mr. Marsh loved animals and was involved in the development of the Terrace Park Nature Center.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Thomas Marsh.

Survivors include two sons, Thomas Birdo Marsh of Roswell, Ga., and Daniel E. Marsh of Oakley; a daughter, Sara "Sally" Hill of Marietta, Ga.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Evans Funeral Home, 741 Center St. in Milford. The funeral is 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.