Marvin Leonel Esch (born August 4, 1927; died June 19, 2010) was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.

In 1966, Esch defeated former U.S. Representative George Meader in the Republican primary elections for Michigan's 2nd congressional district. He went on to defeat incumbent Democrat Wes E. Vivian in the general election to be elected to the 90th United States Congress. He was re-elected to the four succeeding Congresses, serving from January 3, 1967 to January 3, 1977. He was not a candidate for reelection to the Ninety-fifth Congress in 1976, but was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the United States Senate, losing in the general election to Democrat Donald W. Riegle, Jr..

Wikipedia: Marvin L. Esch

Obituary

Marvin Leonel Esch passed away in his sleep on Saturday, June 19, 2010; two days after celebrating his 60th anniversary with his wife,Olga. Marv was born in Flin-ton PA on August 4, 1927. He received his secondary education in Jackson, Michigan and Akron, Ohio. He served in the U.S. Maritime Service on a Liberty Ship and was forced to abandon ship to a lifeboat when his ship hit a German mine in the Adriatic in 1945. He also served in the United States Army in 1945 and 1946. Marvin married Olga Jurich on June 17, 1950. His wife became his lifelong friend. They had three children: Emily, Leonel, and Tom. With the help of the G.I. Bill and Olga's support as an x-ray technician at Saint Joseph Hospital. Marv attended the University of Michigan where he earned an A.B. in 1950, a M.A. in 1951 and a Ph.D in 1957. Marvin became a Michigan Wolverine fan and enjoyed many Saturdays singing "The Victors" and cheering "Go Blue" with his son Leo. While attending university Marvin worked on the assembly line at Kaiser Motor Works and was a member of the U.A.W. He taught at the University of Michigan and after his Ph.D. was a member of the faculty at Wayne State University where he taught speech and labor relations and coached speech and debate and began many friendships that would endure his whole life. Marv served under Governor George Romney in the Michigan State House of Representatives from 1965-1966. In 1966 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives representing Ann Arbor and southeastern Michigan until 1976. His slogan was "Thinks for Himself, Works for Us!" Marv served on the House Education and Labor Committee and the Science and Astronautics Committee. In 1968 at the request of Speaker John McCormack Marvin represented the House of Representatives at Martin Luther King's funeral. Marvin witnessed the 1969 launch of Apollo 11 to the moon and greeted the return of the Apollo 16 astronauts to the USS Ticonderoga. Marvin was a leader of The Wednesday Group of moderate congressional Republicans that urged President Johnson and ultimately President Nixon to accelerate the end of the Vietnam War and create an all volunteer military. Marv authored numerous pieces of legislation, including the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 and the Esch Amendment to the Education Act of 1974 requiring prioritizing the steps in racial desegregation to provide all children with a quality education. He stood with his friend and mentor Gerald Ford when Ford was sworn in as President on the day of Richard Nixon's resignation. He was perhaps most proud of helping his constituents, usually widows and veterans, with their problems with the federal government. Marv was unsuccessful in his run for U.S. Senate in 1976. Marvin made many friends in politics, and was most grateful to his faithful staff that he considered family. Marvin was Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Steel Corporation, 1977-1980; the Director of Programs and Seminars for the American Enterprise Institute, 1981-1987; and a private advocate. Marvin served in the Organization for Economic Development in Paris and as emeritus trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Marv served in President Reagan's transition team and as an education advisor to President Reagan and President H. W. Bush. He was at the White House with President Bush on the first day of the liberation of Kuwait in January 1991. Marvin returned to Ann Arbor to work with his friend Tom Monaghan on numerous philanthropic projects and was the president of The Communication Group until his retirement in 1992. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Susan, his sister Eileen, his brother Everett and his beloved son Leonel whom Marv dutifully cared for until Leo's death in 2006. He is survived by his brother Gordon Esch formerly of Saline, Michigan and now of Pinehurst, North Carolina; his wife Olga; daughter Emily Esch of Bigfork, Montana; son Tom Esch and his wife Charlene of Kalispell, Montana and his grandson Logan, who was the source of much of Marvin's pride. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews on both the Esch and Jurich side whom he loved. Marvin was an optimist who inspired hope. A constant theme in his marriage with Olga as well as his prayer for America was "And the best is yet to be!" Marvin was a kind man who loved to tell stories and engage others by encouraging them to tell their story. To the end he was sustained by that which he cherished most: his faith, his family, his friends and his country. The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the doctors, nurses and technicians at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for their remarkable medicine and remarkable care for Marvin during the last three weeks of his life. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday June 28, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church, 1432 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be given to the Pastoral Care Fund at First Presbyterian Church or the charity of choice. Arrangements are entrusted to the Muehlig Funeral Chapel, Ann Arbor.