Celebrating a century of life - Robert Marx

"1914: World War I begins, and the Panama Canal is officially opened after 10 years of construction. The world's first red and green traffic lights are installed in Cleveland, Ohio and the first animated cartoon is released. 'Tarzan of the Apes' is published, U.S. Congress approves Mother's Day, Paramount Pictures is formed and the last known passenger pigeon dies in the Cincinnati Zoo."

This is the year the first airline flight is scheduled and Henry Ford introduces the assembly line for Model T- Fords. Ford Motor Company wages jump from $2.40 per nine-hour day to $5 for an eight-hour day and it costs 2 cents to mail a first-class letter. Merrill Lynch is founded and Babe Ruth's first professional game is pitched with a six-hit, 6-0 win." These are the exact words from the "Autobiography of Robert Woodruff Marx," who was born Aug. 29, 1914.

Marx was born in Hamilton, Mont., where he grew up and lived until the late 1930s. Marx's childhood friend and high school sweetheart, Dorothy Dishman, moved to Spokane for schooling. This brought Marx to the area.

He washed dishes at the Sears Café (now the downtown Spokane Public Library). Downtown Spokane was very quiet in those days, especially on Sundays. No cars drove up and down Riverside, except for a streetcar taking people to and from their churches. The Crescent and JC Penney were the main stores and Woolworths was an affordable "five and dime."

In November 1939, Marx found work as a linoleum layer. He answered an ad that stated applicants must be a "non-drinker." After finding out he was also a non-smoker, he was hired on the spot. Gaining this job encouraged him to propose to his girlfriend of seven years; she accepted. They married the next month on Dec. 29, 1939.

Back then, Marx earned $24 a week, working 44 hours a week. In 1941, they were able to buy a home for $2,500. They lived at W. 2722 Sinto Ave. until 1949.

When 1945 rolled around, Robert's number came up in the draft for World War II. At that time, he was remodeling an investment home and asked if he could have a 30-day extension. The extension was approved. Days before he was assigned to leave, he received a notice in the mail saying he didn't have to serve because he was over 30, married and had two children. This was a great blessing in his life.

Robert opened his own business with a partner. It was called Northwest Floor Covering Company and was located at 1514 N. Monroe St. He was offered a contract to put flooring in all the Army barracks at Fairchild Air Force Base. This contract helped to get his business off the ground. He continued to work in the flooring business most of his career.

At age 33, Marx was asked to serve as a bishop for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was one of the first bishops in Spokane. He felt he was too young to accept such responsibility, but quickly learned he could do it with the help of others. He served with Irv Bennion, Mel Smith and Leo Higbee.

In 1950, Marx was involved in building the very first LDS chapel in Spokane. At the time, the members had to pay for half of the building costs. It took some time, but they managed to come up with the funding. The building remains standing today at Post and Indiana.

This past summer, in July, Marx was honored at the annual LDS Pioneer Celebration held at Medical Lake Waterfront Park. A presentation told of his personal life, as well as his history in the LDS church. Marx was recently quoted as saying that "in the world today everything has changed since he was young, but most pronounced are the moral standards. Families were more intact. Right and wrong were not so blurred."

Marx turned 100 a few weeks ago and is still very active. He maintains a garden and plays in a jazz band (a lifelong love of his), as well as fulfilling various religious responsibilities. He is a father of six, grandfather of 25, great-grandfather of 55 and great-great grandfather of one. What a legacy.

His daughter Linda has these words to say to her father: "You are a man of integrity, honesty, and a man who respects others and treats everyone with respect and kindness. People have always loved and respected you. Ever since I was a young girl, it was always a source of security and pride to be identified as Bob and Dorothy Marx's daughter."