Engineer, community volunteer, member of ‘Lemon Boys’ bicycle group
Doug Marlow. (Courtesy photo)
Douglass Lee Marlow, 70, of West Falmouth, died at his home on Sunday, March 5, 2017, following 19 months of courage and amazing stamina enduring a lengthy illness with cancer. He was the devoted husband of Linda (Leonard) DeYoung. Doug was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, and raised in nearby Ridgewood, where he graduated from high school. He attended Lehigh University, receiving his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. He was a proud member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, maintaining many friendships throughout the years. Following his college graduation he joined the Peace Corps, serving in Cartagena, Colombia, from 1968 to 1970.
Doug’s career included positions as chief engineer at Koehring in Ohio and ASM industries in Pennsylvania. He received his master’s degree in business administration from Harvard in 1983, then moved into the computer and technical industries at Apollo Computer in Chelmsford and several divisions of Hewlett-Packard. Prior to retirement, Doug became certified as a science teacher and taught for two years at the Roosevelt Middle School in New Bedford. He also started a small business, Autumn Riders, developing apparel for motorcycling enthusiasts. Riding was one of his favorite activities.
Doug lived in Harvard for many years before moving to Chelmsford and later West Falmouth. He was a proud member of the “Lemon Boys,” a long-distance bicycling group, and developed wonderful friendships. He was a member of the Big Brothers organization, where he mentored a young man from middle school through high school. He participated in the reading-for-the-blind program in Cambridge and in retirement was a member of the board of the Friends of Falmouth Bikeway.
Doug had many interests, including getting his pilot’s license, motorcycling, bicycling, woodworking, photography, and a love of Spanish. Doug and his wife enjoyed many travels, including trips to Portugal, Hungary, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and many parts of Europe. More recently they took up RV-ing to enjoy some of this wonderful country.
Doug retired to West Falmouth in 2011. In retirement he loved bicycling with new friends in Falmouth as well as pursuing his other interests. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, sharing his hobbies with them and showing them the beauty of Cape Cod.
Doug is survived by his wife, Linda, and his five children: his son Craig Marlow and his wife, Kim, from Highlands Ranch, Colorado; his son Lee Marlow and his wife, Marla, from Highlands Ranch, Colorado; his stepdaughter Rachel Minihan from Holly Springs, North Carolina; his stepdaughter Laura Wightman and her husband, Jason, from Winchendon; and his stepson, Adam DeYoung, and his wife, Jessica, from Milford, Connecticut. He is also survived by his 12 grandchildren: Amanda, Sean, “Angel” Jay, Emi, Will, Cooper, Madison, Cassandra, Emily, Meghan, Molly, and Charlotte. He is also survived by his three sisters, Anne Vose and her husband, Warren, of Martha’s Vineyard; Jean Conklin Dillon of North Carolina; and Nancy Drago and her husband, Joe, of Staatsburg, New York, as well as 12 nieces and nephews: David, Stuart, Cori, Kyle, Chad, Karly, Chris, Elizabeth, Heather, Chris, Jonathan, and Rachelle.
A memorial celebration will be held at Waquoit Congregational Church, 115 Parsons Lane, Waquoit, on Saturday, March 25, at 4 p.m. A reception will be held following the service at the church hall. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Partners in Health at pih.org or to a charity of your choice.
For online guestbook, obituary, and directions, please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com.
