Edward Leo Marrinan Jr., grandson of immigrant John J. Marrinan, was born in 1926. After graduation from Chaminade High School, he received a first of several degrees from the University of Dayton. He married Juanita Marie Tipton, and their children-Edward Leo III, John J., Eileen and Patrick.
At the same time of his studies in high school and college, and into the early years of his teaching career, he also gained valuable practical experience (Perhaps even more valuable during the his days as a young father was the "extra money."), working at the B&O Railroad with his father, "Leo," and "Mr. Stecklein."
His initial start for a career in education was at Chaminade High School with George Early and Gerard "Fuzzy" Faust on the faculty, and one student, Paul Campbell, particularly speaks of the dedication from his high-school math teacher, "who ran an exciting math club and volunteered his summer Saturday mornings to students." "Ed" also was the freshmen basketball coach to Thomas "Tom" Frericks, and was promoted to administrative duties prior to an opportunity at the University of Dayton.
His early work at the University of Dayton was primarily math and statistics. Together with his high school classmate, University of Dayton, School of Business Administration's former dean William "Bill" Hoben, "Ed" became one of the first to recognize the importance of a specialized curriculum for math in business studies.
In the 1970s and 1980s, his direction turned increasingly to the decision sciences as highly mathematical in nature...probability distribution functions and random variables. His discussions usually were not long, but almost always contained some clever insight. A "superb teacher" continues to be the response of former students including Allen Ellijah, Thomas Kavanaugh and Daniel Sadlier.
"Ed" always showed a curiosity in books, as the many shelves in his home and office attested a unique collection. He developed some very specific positions from studying textbooks, and that benefited several publishers with edits and reviews. That included sensitivity to the remedial as well as serious student.
It was a tremendous shock when he suddenly passed away in 1981. "Ed" was a devoted father with an interest in an expanding new role as "grandfather," a person of many and varied interests. His family, former colleagues and students, and many others miss his humanity and warmth even today.