Marshall Rousseau

T. Marshall Rousseau, 89, beloved patron of the arts and former Executive Director of the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, FL, died Wednesday, October 12, 2022, in St. Louis, Missouri.

During his 50 years on the west coast of Florida, Marshall had a profound impact on the cultural landscape of the Tampa Bay area. Under his leadership The Dali became an accredited and globally recognized museum.   He generously shared his talents and expertise as a member of the board of trustees at The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, The John and Mable Ringling Museum, Tampa Museum of Art, Asolo Center for the Performing Arts, The Florida Orchestra and the Florida Arts Council.

Over the course of his career Marshall won innumerable awards for his vast contributions to arts and culture, the most recent of which was the 2021 Individual Impact Award by Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and Arts. You’ll find him in Wikipedia and Marquis Who’s Who.

Earning his B.A. degree from Valparaiso University in 1955, Marshall was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award in 1995. He cared deeply about education and served at Valparaiso University as a member of the National Council of the College of Arts & Sciences. After his retirement from The Dali, he became an adjunct professor of museum studies at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg.

Facilitating connections in business, the arts and education to make our community a better place is what made life worthwhile for Marshall. In the 70s, he initiated the regional sponsorship of Robinson’s Scholastic Art Awards and the Christmas Angel program benefiting the physically and mentally challenged. As a volunteer, he taught English as a second language and used his vast network of business contacts to mentor and find internship and job opportunities for many deserving students.

Marshall loved being with his family and was often the instigator of reunions and get togethers.

He was born on April 16, l933 in Granite City, Illinois to Joseph Carl and Alberta Pearl (Kirkpatrick) Rousseau. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ron and Paul “Babe” Rousseau, and is survived by his brother, Joe Rousseau and many much-loved sisters-in-law, cousins and nieces and nephews who will always think the world of their Uncle Marshall.  He was loved by family, friends and colleagues and will be greatly missed for his humor, wit and strong desire to help others and improve his community.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Marshall’s memory to Valparaiso University. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, October 17, 2022, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 17, 2022, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Monte Haun officiating.

Burial will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.