Dennis Lee Marquardt
April 8, 1943 - December 30, 2022
Dennis Lee “Rube” Marquardt passed away with family at his side after a prolonged series of health issues on Friday, December 30th, 2022. He was born in Pasadena, CA on April 8th, 1943. He moved to Covina at the age of 8, where his father, LeRoy, started the Covina Little League. While growing up, Denny played youth baseball, American Legion baseball and other youth sports, making a name for himself as a stellar athlete even before enrolling at Covina High School. There he starred as a four-year letterman in both baseball and basketball. Excelling in these sports, he was named to numerous All-CIF teams in both sports. After graduating from Covina High School, Denny signed a baseball contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played outfield for five years. During the off season, he would return home to Covina and take courses at Cal Poly Pomona, keeping his promise to his mother that he would get his degree. After his years with the Dodgers, Denny finished his studies at Cal Poly Pomona and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. He then received his teaching credential from Pepperdine University and later his Masters in Education. Denny started teaching at Temple City High School in 1968, where he taught Health and Safety and Drivers Education to every incoming freshman for 35 years. In 1970 Denny met Clare Collins, an English teacher at TCHS who would later become his wife for the next 45 years. Denny coached a year of basketball at TCHS before being named the head baseball coach in 1971, a position he held for 27 years until 1997. As the Varsity baseball coach, his teams were, year in and year out, among the best in Southern California. In 27 years, his teams made 20 CIF playoff appearances and won ten Rio Hondo League Championships. Denny amassed 398 wins as the head coach and was recognized with induction into the San Gabriel Valley Coaches Hall of Fame. His jersey, Number 7, is retired at Temple City High School, and just recently the school’s baseball facility was named Dennis Marquardt Stadium honoring his 27 years of dedication to the baseball program and the young men he coached along the way.
Denny was a very involved dad from the get go, doing his best to attend his sons’ sporting events and his daughters acting/singing performances. He built their family home to be one where they could entertain, as well as, where all their kids’ friends were always welcomed. He even went so far as to add a basketball hoop to the neighborhood culde-sac so kids had a place to go play or let off some steam. He always supported youth in their endeavors and always told his kids to dream big. He never met anyone he didn’t like and always wore his heart on his sleeve. He dreamed big and he loved big.
Dennis and Clare resided in Sierra Madre for the past 48 years and to the end of his days still maintained “it was a best place to raise you, kids, and live. I love this town.” The Marquardt family was a part of the St. Rita’s parish in Sierra Madre, where all four kids attended school.
Dennis was predeceased by his wife, Clare Collins Marquardt, and son, Michael Marquardt and his parents, LeRoy and Helen Marquardt. He is survived by his sister, Janis Marquardt, children Katherine Marquardt, Martin Marquardt (Mary), Andrew Marquardt (Karen); grandchildren Calvin, Camille and Kennan, his brother-in-law, Charles Collins, sisters-in law, Sharon Collins and Otilia Collins, nine nieces and nephews, and twelve grandnieces and grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena at www. bgcpasadena.org. His children would like to thank The Californian Rehabilitation Center for their constant care of their dad over these past 4 months. will be private and held at Pioneer Cemetery in Sierra Madre. Services will be held on Saturday, February 11th at 11am at Alverno Heights Academy in Sierra Madre. Cabot & Sons, Directors.