Marvin J. Match, 84, of Kings Point, L.I., passed away Friday, February 25, 2011. He was the loving son of Hannah and Irving Match, the brother of Ronald Match, the husband of Ines, and the father of Jennifer, Mark and Michele, and the father-in-law of David Birnbaum, the husband of Jennifer Match. Marvin was born July 22, 1926 in Bronx, NY. He was a graduate of Townsend Harris in January 1942; City College (where he was accepted and enrolled at age 15), receiving a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the School of Technology; and Columbia University, where he earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1949. Interrupting his education, he enlisted and served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was selected for a unit that specialized in the then-emerging field of radar technology and electronics.
Marvin was the longtime President of International Casein Corp. Early in his professional career he worked at Emerson Radio, and then in research and development at Sperry Gyroscope Co., a division of Sperry Rand Corp., where he was involved in the development of automatic pilot technology used in aviation. A passionate skier and tennis player throughout his life, he actively pursued skiing and tennis into his early 80s. In addition to sports, he enjoyed playing bridge. Ever curious, he was an enthusiastic world traveler–especially fond of the Savoie region of France–who spoke fluent French and Spanish.

A brilliant mind and a kind spirit, creative and inventive, a devoted husband of 50 years and a loving father, as well as a mentor to many, Marvin loved life completely and lived it intensely. We love this strong and honorable man and will miss him forever.

Published in the New York Times, March 6, 2011.