First head of CoSci department Marsh was outstanding alumnus

James H. Marsh '51, who served as the first head of the Department of Construction Science at Texas A&M University from 1969 to 1981, passed away Saturday, April 26 at his Caldwell, Texas home.

Marsh earned an architectural construction degree at Texas A&M in 1951. He was one of the founding members of the Associated Schools of Construction, the American Council on Construction Education and the American Institute for Constructors.

He invented the "lift shape" process for thin shell concrete construction used in park pavilions, such as the Medo pavilion at the New York Worlds Fair and in Hensel Park at Texas A&M University.

Marsh was presented with the Former Students Association's Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching in 1971 and named professor emeritus by the College of Architecture in 1991, after 33 years of service.

In 1998, he was honored as an Outstanding Alumnus of the Texas A&M College of Architecture.