Marshall Krase

1961 – 2024
Resident of Santa Cruz, California

Marshall died peacefully in his sleep on Thanksgiving Eve.

Born and raised in Pacific Palisades where, as the youngest of four children of Bill and Ann Krase, he immersed himself in Scouting at a young age, ultimately becoming an Eagle Scout. He also discovered surfing, which became a life-long passion.

He left the sunny beaches of SoCal for the wet-suited breaks of Santa Cruz to attend the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he graduated with honors and spent the rest of his life waiting tables so he could surf, always hewing faithfully to his own course.

Marshall was an avid and adventurous motorcyclist with cross-country and border-to-border rides with two wheels down. He relished backpacking in the Sierra, transitioning from the framed pack days to the ultralight equipment later in vogue which may have accommodated a bottled beer as an alpine treat.

An old soul, Marshall was an insightful and voracious reader whose tastes welcomed many genres. His favorite book was Melville’s “Moby-Dick” (he wore out several copies). The library of Louis L’Amour was another favorite and encouraged his love of western American history.

Marshall was decidedly analog. He much preferred handwriting letters, often with a fountain pen or sealed with monogrammed sealing wax. Marshall rode and collected longboards, and surfed in longboard style.

Quietly observant of others and ever composed, Marshall had a unique ability to slip a hilarious and often subtle comment into a conversation that delighted and often surprised. His sense of humor was as deft and gentle as the rest of his persona. “Retreat gracefully” were the words on Marshall’s calling card.

Marshall is survived by his sister Elizabeth Greene of Alameda, his brothers Tom of San Rafael and Dick of Sanders, Idaho, and a treasure trove of friends who loved him well.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Marshall’s memory to the Surfrider Foundation at surfrider.org.

A gathering of friends will be called at a later date.