Marvin had been in and out of the hospital last weekend a couple of times when it was decided to keep him hospitalized to implant a heart pace maker. Monday night, Marvin went to sleep and peacefully passed away. The cause of death was heart failure from an undiagnosed bacterial endocarditis (a bacterial infection of the aortic ventricle valve).
Marvin's last public appearance was at Harvard University, November 18, 1996. I was fortunate to host Marvin during this time as a guest lecturer for the Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus. Marvin and I spent two enchanted days together talking, reminiscing, and visiting his old haunts from the days when he lived in Cambridge as a young man. We shared many laughs, but one humorous incident caught us both by surprise -- when we pulled into the driveway of his former abode, at 35 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA, what we saw was a large house painted a bright lavender! The humor of this coincidence was immediately apparent to us both.
Although, in recent years, Marvin had been in ill health, he never let that be an issue in his life or a burden to those around him. Indeed, his timeless spirit, wit, intellect, charm, and charisma were disarmingly youthful and vibrant. "Marvelous Marvin," as I always called him, was a colorful, inspirational beacon who attracted an eclectic and often disparate gathering of friends. Nonetheless, he was the catalyst who energized all gathered and to whom he imparted a special aura that made everyone feel special.
I am blessed, as are many others, to have known this incredible person, Marvin Liebman. He will always remain one of my most cherished, adored, loved, and admired of friends. In my correspondence with Marvin, I would conclude with "Loving you & thinking of you always" -- I will forever keep this sentiment in my heart.
Marvin led a life of extremes and contradictions, and in death, this intrigue continues. This man who was eloquent, and loved the spotlight and being the center of attention, requested that there not be any memorial service upon his death. Perhaps this is appropriate, however, because we are left only with the bigger-than-life aliveness of Marvin Liebman in our memories.
Marvin was a full participant and contributor in life; we should all be so blessed to live as complete and charmed a life. My sorrow is for my own deep sense of loss that I can no longer bathe in the presence of this inspired and inspiring man. I will love, and miss, and think of him always.