obituaries

Adrian (Skip) Marsden was a twenty-something working as a church custodian when he got the idea of starting a janitorial service as a way to provide for his family. He borrowed $125 from a supplier and set up his office in the back of his station wagon.

From that beginning in 1952, he built Marsden Building Maintenance into one of the Twin Cities most respected facility services companies and a $220 million enterprise that employed more than 4,000 people. It offered cleaning, security, HVAC and building maintenance service at Fortune 500 properties and small firms throughout the United States.

"His mission was to make aware that janitorial service is a profession," said Sita Morantz, CEO of Marsden Holding, the umbrella company that oversees Marsden's operations.

Marsden died after a long illness Wednesday at his suburban St. Paul home. He was 81.

An icon in the building services contracting industry, Marsden is credited with inventing the floor spray buffing technique that is an industry standard today. He was a founding member of the Building Services Contractors Association International and was the organization's president and board member in the 1970s and 1980s. Marsden was a leader in developing the Certified Building Services Executive program for company owners and managers, family members said.

With his mission to satisfy customers with excellent value and responsive service, and treat his employees fairly, Marsden ran his company with integrity, those who knew him said.

"As a true 'man's man,' Skip's word was his bond, and his handshake a stern reminder that he expected you to live up to your promise," said David Frauenshuh, friend and CEO and founder of Frauenshuh Inc., a commercial real estate firm. "His friendship was a cherished possession because he only gave it to those who held to his high standards of integrity."

The news of Marsden's death prompted hundreds of customers to send e-mails and cards in which they expressed their condolences, well wishes and fond memories. "He touched a lot of people," Morantz said.

Marsden was a generous man who often gave to charities. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf, hunting, woodworking, reading and going to movies.

Marsden was born in Stewart, Minn., in 1933 and grew up on St. Paul's West Side. He left school at 15 and became a mariner with the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II.

Marsden is survived by his wife, Susan Markham; daughter, Mary Marsden, of Minneapolis; three sons, Adrian (Skip Jr.) of Bayport, Steven of Maple Grove and James of Stillwater; and two stepsons, Eric Johnson and Nick Johnson, both of St. Paul, and four grandchildren.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. today at Assumption Parish, 51 W. 7th St., St. Paul. Following the burial, a reception will be held at 4 p.m. at the St. Paul Hotel, 350 N. Market St., St. Paul.