Gordon S. Marshall

Lore & Background

Gordon S. Marshall was born in Los Angeles in 1919 and graduated from South Pasadena High School in 1937. He served as a bomber pilot for the United States during World War II and later earned a degree from the University of Southern California in 1946. His interest in amateur radio, under the call sign W6RR (previously W6ITA), directly led him into the electronics field. In 1982, he founded Marshall Industries, headquartered in El Monte, California, and served as its president from April 1982 to June 1992, and as its chief executive officer until 1994. The company grew to become one of the five largest distributors of industrial electronic components and production supplies in the United States. It was publicly traded from 1984 to 1999, when it was acquired by Avnet. Marshall also served on the board of directors of Amistar Corporation from 1974.

Reader's Guide

Gordon S. Marshall's legacy is defined by his dual contributions to business and philanthropy, both rooted in his early experience as an amateur radio operator. He credited amateur radio with steering him toward electronics, a field in which he built Marshall Industries into a nationally prominent distributor. The company's success and eventual acquisition by Avnet marked a significant chapter in the electronics supply chain. Beyond business, Marshall was a major benefactor of the University of Southern California, serving on its board of trustees and donating $35 million in 1997. In recognition of his support, the USC Marshall School of Business was named in his memory. His life illustrates how a technical hobby can shape a career and how business success can fund lasting educational institutions.

Did You Know?

• Gordon S. Marshall served as a bomber pilot for the United States in World War II.
• He donated $35 million to the University of Southern California in 1997.
• His amateur radio call sign was W6RR, previously W6ITA.
• Marshall Industries was acquired by Avnet in 1999.