*Marvin Selnes, 80, of Sioux Falls, S.D., and formerly of Faulkton, SD, died July 12, 2014 at Dow-Rummel Village in Sioux Falls.

Marvin D. Selnes was born Dec. 10, 1933 in Aberdeen, S.D., the son of Jack and Jennie Mae Deady Selnes. In 1938, he moved with his family to Faulkton, S.D. where he received his education, graduating from Faulkton High School in 1951. He attended one year each at St. Olaf College and South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D., prior to entering military service. In January of 1954, he entered the US Army and served at Ft Bliss, Texas until receiving his honorable discharge on Jan. 20, 1956. Upon his return from the Army, he furthered his education at Northern State University in Aberdeen, graduating with highest honors with a B.S. in education in 1957 and M.S. in education in 1958, with emphasis in science and math. He later attended summer school at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, State College of Iowa in Cedar Falls, the University of Iowa in Iowa City, the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash.

On March 1, 1956, Marvin was united in marriage with Donna Finney, also of Faulkton, at First Methodist in Aberdeen. They moved to Sioux Falls in August 1958 after Marvin received his B.S. and M.S. degrees.

Marvin was very passionate about teaching, particularly teaching science. He served as a science teacher, department chairman, and athletic coach at Patrick Henry Junior High in Sioux Falls from 1958-1986. He was a chemistry teacher at Lincoln Senior High School from 1986-1991; was Science Supervisor for the Sioux Falls Schools from 1989-1992; and middle school science teacher from 1992-1998, when he finished at Patrick Henry, where his career began 40 years earlier. Marvin was a summer and night school math and science instructor for Augustana College, South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, Northern State University, University of Arizona, University of Florida, and the University of Northern Iowa. In addition to teaching, he was a science textbook consultant and book and article writer and reviewer for several publishers. Marvin also officiated football and basketball games in the area and officiated at Howard Relays for many years.

Marvin was a member of the SFEA, which he served as president; SDEA; NEA; NSTA; the South Dakota Academy of Science, which he served as president; South Dakota Science Teachers Association, which he also served as president; South Dakota Coordinator for the National Energy Foundation; and the Association of Presidential Award Winners in Science Teaching. Marvin was also a member of Phi Delta Kappa.

Marvin received several teaching awards during his career. In April 1966, the Sioux Falls Jaycees named him the Outstanding Young Educator of Sioux Falls. He received the South Dakota Outstanding Physical Science Teacher Award in 1982. In 1983, the science inquiry program at Patrick Henry Junior High was honored as one of 40 of the best secondary science programs in the nation and Marvin was recognized as being responsible for that program. Many of his students entered science competitions and won more than their share of awards. An Executive Proclamation by William Janklow, South Dakota Governor named March 4, 1983 Marvin Selnes Day. This was prompted by one of his students requesting special recognition for his favorite teacher. From the proclamation: “…with special respect for an instructor who brings class into the classroom and puts fun back into fundamentals.” He received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching in 1984. In 1985, Marvin was awarded the 1985 Master Teacher Award from the South Dakota Academy of Science, NSF Consortium. On May 14, 1992 Marvin received the Thomas H. Brown Distinguished Service Medal from Minnehaha Masonic Lodge No. 5.

Marvin spent many hours volunteering. He was a Junior Hi-Y leader in Sioux Falls. A very active 4-H leader in Minnehaha County, he also served as 4-H camp counselor and superintendent of a 4-H exhibit building at the Sioux Empire Fair for many years and was very supportive of Minnehaha County 4-H Band, serving on the Band Committee and driving 4-H members to band practice and concerts. He was also a charter member of Apple Core of Siouxland and a member of First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, being involved in Christian education in various ways including teaching church school and serving as children’s co-coordinator. For most of his life Marvin also enjoyed photography. He took pictures for family get-togethers and church functions, with many photos selected for use in Methodist teacher’s guides, 4-H events, and at various other activities. During the early years of his retirement, Marvin volunteered at the Kirby Science Discovery Center at the Washington Pavilion.

Grateful for having shared his life are his son, Robert; his daughter, Pamela Selnes; his granddaughter, Becca Widmer and husband Kyle; and three great-grandchildren, Joe, Ella, and Holden. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, on Sept. 20, 2008; his brother Carol on March 10, 2008; and his parents.

The family requests that memorials be directed to science programs through the Sioux Falls Education Foundation. Please indicate “for science” in the memo field of your check.