Honor Doug Marsh with a Memorial Bench at the Milwaukee Zoo

In Loving Memory of Douglas Marsh - A Bench In One of His Favorite Places

We are raising funds to honor the memory of Doug Marsh, a beloved friend, father and husband, with a memorial bench at the Milwaukee County Zoo — a place he cherished deeply and visited frequently. Doug passed away unexpectedly on August 22nd from a brain aneurysm.

During his daughters’ childhoods, the Marshes were Milwaukee County Zoo members and would visit the zoo every Wednesday evening during the summer. The Zoo was synonymous with good memories of our father - be it a large and heavily buttered popcorn, a ride on the train or dancing to his favorite cover band, The 5 Card Studs. His enthusiasm to share one of his favorite places from his childhood with his own family was evident during every visit.

This bench will serve as a lasting tribute to the incredible man he was — someone who brought laughter, adventure, and generosity into every life he touched. It will be a place for others to rest, observe, and hopefully sit and eat popcorn — just as he would’ve wanted. It is our intention to have this bench serve as a place to return to often, where we can sit with our father at the zoo again and hopefully feel his presence with us.

Our goal is to raise $5000 to sponsor the memorial bench through the zoo’s official tribute program. Every contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to creating a permanent space that celebrates his life in a setting he truly loved. The bench and its tribute plaque will be in place for a minimum of ten years, with the option for renewal at the end of that period. Any funds we receive in excess of the $5,000 goal will be saved and used for the renewal fee in 10 years.

If you’d like to contribute outside of the GoFundMe, you can Venmo your contribution to Doug’s daughter, Toria (@ToriaStock), and include “Doug’s Bench” in the memo. If you would like to make a contribution via cash or check, please contact Toria Stock or Lisa Marsh directly to coordinate.

Thank you for helping us honor his memory in such a meaningful way.

With love and gratitude,

The Marsh Family