Remembering Marshall Berman

Marshall Berman died on October 25, 2015 after being in a short-term coma caused a series of declines in his health.  He moved from Albuquerque to Colorado to be with his children where he could be cared for a few years ago.  But his heart was still in Albuquerque among his many friends and associates.  Marshall was very active throughout his life in the process of learning for both the old and young.  He founded and was the President of the Coalition for Excellence in Science and Math Education, The Friendly Philosophers, and helped start the New Mexicans for Science and Reason, and he was also a Past President of the New Mexico Academy of Science.

Dr. Berman was a friend of education and communication. In 1998, Marshall successfully ran for the State Board of Education.  His intent was to help increase the effectiveness of education in the state and to try and block the effects of pseudo-scientists who had taken over the Board and were driving educational standards with some very ill-conceived science requirements and lack, thereof.  He was successful in the latter and set the stage for the former by instilling the concept of using data to drive reform rather than silver bullets. Marshall did not believe in the current changes that began in 2011, but by then, there was no more Board of Education and he was growing quite ill with a variety of health problems. 

Marshall was retired from Sandia Laboratories, and had a PhD in nuclear physics.  He is survived by 3 children and 3 grandchildren with another on the way.  Marshall touched many lives and drove many events in New Mexico.  He will be missed very badly.  There will be a memorial in celebration of his life in Albuquerque on the weekend of December 12 and 13th.  As soon as the details are worked out, the specifics will be published and sent out to the many people he influenced over the years.