AN ENDURING LEGACY

By HQ Staff

Marvin

“Dad always rode in on a white horse,” reminisced Tanya Marvin, Hank’s daughter. The image captured the essence of Hank — a man whose cowboy words and gentleman’s spurs aligned seamlessly with the ideals of Phi Kappa Psi.

In 1956, Hank Marvin was initiated into Phi Psi’s Cal Delta Chapter at the University of Southern California. It is there that he met Bruce McMahan Southern Cal ’57 and a lifelong friendship was formed.

Hank and Bruce were leaders and visionaries from their earliest undergraduate years. Hank was a three-year letterman on the USC tennis team and a member of more chapter committees than one could count, while Bruce served as Chapter Vice President, New Member Education Chair and District Council Delegate.

Post-graduation, Hank ventured into the corporate world, earning the role of CEO for the ISU Stephen B. Marvin Insurance Agency. Hank positioned the agency, and those they served, as family.

While finding success and building their own families, Hank and Bruce never lost their brotherly bond. “Referring to themselves as best friends, these two didn’t let geographic distance and other challenges stand in the way of their relationship. Whenever they connected by phone or saw each other they would pick up right where they left off,” commented Wayne Wilson Michigan State ’59.

The two men, ever appreciative of their bond, worked tirelessly throughout their post-graduate years so more men would learn the immeasurable value of brotherhood. Both joined the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation’s Board of Trustees in the mid-90s.

Hank’s more than two decades of service on the Board of Trustees (1996-2017) was marked by distinguished contributions to the brotherhood as a donor, volunteer, advisor, leader, and mentor evidenced by his most generous direct financial investments as well as his gift of insurability. Hank brought his years of experience as a decorated individual in the insurance and finance world, serving on numerous councils and boards, and extensive service to and knowledge of the Fraternity, to the Trustee position.

In addition to his volunteer work with the Foundation, Hank was heavily involved in supporting the Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC). He served as an elected director of the medical center from 1992 to 1997 and was chairman of the board in 1996. He also led the AVMC Foundation from 1998 to 2000 and was acting treasurer from 2001 through 2008. His commitment to the community was also evident through his service as a director of a seven-branch community bank and his regular involvement with other area community organizations.

Hank’s Phi Psi legacy will live on through the creation of the Marvin Laurel Hall Operating Endowment, established with a $2 million gift, which is part of a larger $23 million gift to the Foundation made by himself and Bruce. The vision of these two brothers was to strengthen the Foundation’s long-term financial position in an effort to do more good in the world. Their foresight and generosity will fund many millions of dollars in educational benefits for Phi Psi’s brothers in perpetuity.

“[It’s] hard to sum up a lifetime of love, family and community leadership,” Tanya shared.

At Hank’s funeral, his granddaughter placed a familiar stuffed animal in Hank’s casket — USC’s mascot, Traveler, so Hank may always ride in on his white horse. 

To read Brother Marvin’s full obituary, go to: bit.ly/hank-marvin-obit Contributions in his honor can be made at pkpfoundation.org/remembering-hank-marvin/

Hank played on the tennis team at USC.

Hank (L) and Bruce McMahan (R) in 1958

L to R: Hank, Trudy, Eldora, Tanya and Steve Marvin Southern Cal ‘60