Marvel Jester Heinsohn

Marvel was born on June 7th, 1929, in Wilmington Delaware where he spent summers at Rehoboth Beach with his mother Kathryn Jester Chandler, his sister April Mapes and his brother James Chandler. Kathryn was an accomplished pianist and Marvel referred to her as the ‘music of my life.’ Moving to Shaker Heights, OH in 1936, Marvel and April roamed the neighborhood with each day a new adventure. It was here that Marvel took on his first job, hot walking racehorses at tracks around Cleveland. He loved horses and he loved cowboys.

Marvel graduated from Butler High School in 1948 and Penn State in 1952 with a Degree in Animal Husbandry and Agriculture. He often brought milk back from the Penn State Dairy Farm and made ice cream for his dorm mates…. He was exceedingly popular! He played on the Penn State Golf Team and occasionally expressed that classes were interfering with his Tee times. His professors were not amused.

Marvel started his career as a VP of Sales for Portersville Stainless Equipment (for milk delivery) in Butler, Pa. He joined White Motor Corporation in 1967 where he became the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at their headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. After retiring, Marvel settled in Denver to be with two of his children and his first grandchild, embracing the rugged charm of the cowboy spirit.

A duplicate bridge enthusiast, columnist and tournament player from a very young age, reaching the Life Master level by 37, he started a second career as the owner of the ‘The Bridge Club’ in the late 1980s. A well-loved establishment for Bridge Players of all levels until he sold it in the 2010s, at which time he continued his love of the game by teaching and directing games. He was awarded the ACBL 1996 Good Will Award in recognition of a player’s service to the game and efforts to champion friendly sportsmanship.

Marvel is survived by his spouse Sally Heinsohn, his three children Laurene, Greg and Elisa, and Sally’s children Barry, Brian, Jay, and Brooke. With his love for cards, Marvel associated most with the Heart suit as it represents life through relationships. He derived boundless joy in being with people important to him, family, friends, and club patrons.

Per his wishes, Marvel will be cremated by the Neptune Society. There will be a private viewing for immediate family.

Marvel’s family invites you to contribute memories and photos about Marvel to help them celebrate special moments of his life. Please visit this site to do so: https://connect.dignitymemorial.com/12287937/home

For all Bridge enthusiasts, a celebration of life will be held on March 29th at the Denver Metro Bridge Studio before the afternoon game. Address: 5250 Leetsdale, Suite 135, Denver, CO 80222. Phone number: 303-910-4381.

For those that would like to send flowers, thank you. We request that in lieu of flowers that you consider donating in Marvel’s honor to the charity below.

American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) Educational Foundation: a non-profit organization that provides grants for ideas that help support the promotion and growth of bridge. https://www.acbleducationalfoundation.org/