Dear Kate, family members and friends of Marshall!
It was August 12, 1965 – that’s when all began. After 9 days crossing the Atlantic by boat a lonely
young Austrian boy was standing at a harbor site on the East River overwhelmed by the first sight of
the New York sky-line. It was me, waiting for my host family to pick me up. I had been granted a one
year AFS (American Field Service) scholarship at Groton School, and for the time outside the boarding
school activities I was given the opportunity to become part of a family of a classmate – the Webbs
at Shelburne Farms.
After some waiting time a car drove up, a man and boy got out, it was Marshall – on crutches due to
a broken leg - and his dad Derick Webb. After a short sight seeing tour through Manhattan and a
night at grandma’s penthouse Derick flew us with his private Cessna from La Guardia up to Vermont.
After a few circles above Lake Champlain we landed directly on a lawn strip at Shelburne Farms, and
finally arrived at the Big House – now known as „The Inn“. What a mind blowing experience for me!
At that time I did not know that this would mark the starting point of life-long relationships:
- Shelburne Farms as my second home
- The Webbs as my second family
- Marshall as my close friend and true brother
Right from start Marshall and I became close friends. We both were matching in practically every
aspect. We liked nature and outdoor activities, enjoyed the same sports activities, had great fun
making music, playing guitar and celebrating parties with lots of beer! However, beyond just
having fun, we also shared the same thoughts and feelings – we became true soulmates!
Looking back, skiing always had been our favorite activity. Over the years we skied many famous US
sites like Stowe, Stratton, Vail and Aspen, but also visited the Olympic sites around Innsbruck or
the Italian Dolomites in Europe. It was only in spring 2020, when Marshall and I were skiing at
Innsbruck the last time – together with Molly, Paul, Leo and Pamela – great fun!
The most exciting experience in skiing is definitely cutting the first line on a virgin slope of powder,
maybe even more intensive after hiking or skinning up. Floating down in untouched white, then
looking back up to the tracks just made – what a unique satisfaction! Marshall has done many such
lines all over.
But while his powder tracks have vanished, he left many other maks along his life, be it his
devotion to Shelburne Farms, his passion for its woodlands and Carbon Drawdown mission, or his
determination to continue his family tradition in preserving the original intention of its founder.
However, most important will be the marks he left in the hearts of all the people next to him – his
family, his friends and his colleagues – in other words – YOU!
Marshall!
I am very sad but grateful for almost exactly 57 years of friendship. In my heart I will carry on your
never-ending energy, your ongoing optimism, your charming smile, your catching laugh and your
sparkling eyes at the bottom of a powder run!