Ronald Steven Marsh, a former National Park Service ranger and Vietnam War veteran, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2026, in Moab, Utah, after a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer's disease. Known to friends and family by several nicknames, including "PorkRanger," Marsh died at the age of 76 while under the care of Canyonlands Care Center.
A life of service and adventure
Born in Joplin, Missouri, on August 23, 1950, Marsh's career began with military service. After being drafted during the Vietnam War, he served as a mail carrier before returning to civilian life and continuing his work for the U.S. Postal Service. His career eventually transitioned toward the National Park Service, where he held various roles, including interpretive ranger, firefighter, dispatcher, law enforcement ranger, and museum curator. According to reports from Moab Sun News and Spanish Valley Mortuary, Marsh worked in parks across the country, sharing the stories of the parks, protecting them, and assisting visitors who were lost or injured.
Family and lifelong connections
Marsh's personal life was marked by travel and connections made at National Park Service sites throughout the United States. He met his life partner, Kathy Tustanowski, at the Grand Canyon. The couple's son, Cody, was born during an Arizona blizzard. Throughout their lives, the family moved across the country, building connections in states including California, Idaho, Montana, and West Virginia.
A free-spirited lifestyle
In his later years, Marsh was known for a nomadic lifestyle, traveling the country in a Jeep he nicknamed "Sister Edith Black Jeep" (SEBJ). The name was a tribute to Sister Edith Forsman, a Benedictine nun with whom he had worked in Idaho during his eclectic career. This period of travel continued until Alzheimer's disease began to impact his health, leading him to Moab, where he could receive care and walk his dog, Ranger, several times a day.
Legacy and memorial services
Marsh is remembered for his easygoing nature, his ability to converse with anyone, his storytelling, his smile, his jokes, and his harmonica playing. He is survived by his life partner, Kathy Tustanowski; his sons, Cody, Delaney, and Kipling; his grandchildren, Indi and Maize Marsh; and his father, Bill Marsh.
Memorial details
A decorated tomb for Marsh will be viewable at the Moab Valley Multicultural Center on November 1, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., during the Día de Muertos celebration. The public is welcome to attend. In his honor, his family suggests donations to the Alzheimer's Association to support those living with the disease.
