September also often brings a time of pensiveness for me - as Charles Kuralt once said "There is melancholy in the wind and sorrow in the grass" - as September 1973 is also the time of the disappearance and death of my college classmate, roommate and friend, Marlin Duane Nofziger. Marlin and I along with several other fellows lived in Howell House our senior year at Goshen College and then also shared an apartment during our first year of CPS in Denver. After service, Marlin started medical school at the CU Health Sciences Center and I started graduate school. In the fall of 1973, Marlin was beginning his senior year and I was also on track to finish school in 1974. Marlin and a friend went fly-fishing near Crested Butte, Colorado, and he did not return at the end of the day. Word quickly spread back to Denver about his disappearance, and many of us gathered quickly. Many days were spent searching for Marlin in the mountains and along the stream, without success. Even Rhonda, nine months pregnant, made the trip and walked the area. It was not until several weeks later that another fisherman found Marlin's body in a deeper pooled area of water in the stream.
I was going to transcribe some of the newspaper articles about the ordeal, but the articles are in Colorado and I am in Germany - so that will have to wait for now. However, 1973 was also the year that Seals & Crofts released the Diamond Girl album that contains one of my favorite songs - the lyrics and the video [hopefully] are below. A simple but profound thought that speaks to me regarding 1973 as well as many of the experiences of life - we may never pass this way again.
WE MAY NEVER PASS THIS WAY (AGAIN)
James Seals & Dash Crofts
Life, so they say, is but a game and we let it slip away.
Love, like the Autumn sun, should be dyin' but it's only just begun.
Like the twilight in the road up ahead, they don't see just where we're goin'.
And all the secrets in the Universe, whisper in our ears
And all the years will come and go, take us up, always up.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.
Dreams, so they say, are for the fools and they let 'em drift away.
Peace, like the silent dove, should be flyin' but it's only just begun.
Like Columbus in the olden days, we must gather all our courage.
Sail our ships out on the open sea.
Cast away our fears and all the years will come and go, and take us up, always up.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.
So, I wanna laugh while the laughin' is easy.
I wanna cry if it makes it worthwhile.
We may never pass this way again, that's why I want it with you.
'Cause, you make me feel like I'm more than a friend.
Like I'm the journey and you're the journey's end.
We may never pass this way again, that's why I want it with you, baby.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.
We may never pass this way again.
Marlin Duane Nofziger
Birthdate:
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August 13, 1946
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Birthplace:
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Wauseon, Fulton County, Ohio
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Death:
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Died in Crested Butte, Gunnison County, Colorado, September 13, 1973
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4 comments:
vaja con dios amigo
22 May, 2023
Hello,
This is Gary Ruggera. I was Marlin Nofziger's close friend who was with him the hours, days and years before he died in the East River in Crested Butte Colorado in l973. I found your touching tribute this morning online, trying to learn more about Marlin's life before medical school. As friends, we had touched upon his early life often, however I have forgotten much, there was probably much we didn't talk about, and many years have gone by. I have been searching for more details regarding Marlin's early life, the search, his recovery. I have been able to locate some of the original articles from the Crested Butte Pilot from the writer herself, although the paper archives for the years 70-73 were lost completely by the paper. I'd much appreciate copies of whatever was written, somehow. I have recently talked to a few on the search parties, to my family who was very involved in the search and offered up our homes to the Nofzigers, to other local citizens who took part in the search and housed searchers, to the Sheriff/Marshall's Office, etc. The event was so traumatic and difficult for me personally, there is much lost or buried in my memories, although I have continued to miss my friend. I would appreciate it if we might talk, or perhaps you would be willing or would rather write in answer to my thoughts and questions since you are an articulate writer. Marlin was a year older, I am 75. I grew up in Crested Butte. I am curious about what he was like as a boy, his family life, his education, his friends, his interests......all things you might know. He was one the smarted people I have ever known,, also the most gentle and loving. We were about to begin what we considered the adventure of our lives and dreams. i was to be married and Marline my best man and friend. What happened to Judy?
I am not sure of your name although it seems to be in the blog, let me know if we can go by real names, more so, if you are interested or willing to correspond.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Gary Ruggera
73 Eagle's Nest Ct
Durango, CO 81301
gruggera@aol.com
1 (970) 749 8657
I am not sure if I would be notified of a comment or reply, DES would you please reply via text or email.
g
Gary, great to hear from you, a voice from many decades ago. We will talk soon.
doug
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