Steve and Marjorie Dodge

Marjorie Ruch (C'62) grew up in suburban Chicago. As she neared the end of high school, she visited with University of Dubuque Recruiter Tom Gibson (C'49). Marjorie was very interested in attending UD, so Tom drove her and two other girls from the Chicago area, Dorothy Fetz and Shirley (Mason) Meriwether (C'62), to Dubuque to see the campus. All three girls loved campus and decided to attend UD.

Steve Dodge (C'63) had a different journey to UD. He grew up in suburban New York and attended two other colleges that just weren't the right fit. Eventually, he learned about UD, which ended up being the place he would consider his college home.

A defining moment in Steve's college life was when he took Professor George Shelton's history class. George and his wife, Mary, became second parents to Steve and strongly encouraged him to get involved on campus and join a fraternity. Steve joined the Thirteeners and soon after, he was named the campus photographer by graduating senior John Cox (C'61). John offered to drive Steve downtown to the camera store to get supplies.

It was the spring 1961 when John arrived to pick up Steve to go to the camera store. To Steve's surprise, the front seat was already occupied. Steve had to climb in the back seat, not knowing that the girl in the passenger seat would become his bride just a few years later.

Casually, John said, "Marjorie, this is Steve. Steve, this is Marjorie."

On a drizzling evening the following year, Steve was in the alley between Peter's Commons and Goldthorp Hall with his camera and tripod waiting for a person to come walking along for a photo. Much to his delight, Marjorie appeared. He asked her to stand still for a quick shot to which she agreed. He then walked her back to her dorm, known as the Delhi House, an old house that had been converted into a residence for seniors only.

"We were standing on the front porch when I asked her if she wanted to go to the movies with me on Saturday night," Steve recalled.

Marjorie added, "I said yes, but then went back to my room and told my roommate that I didn't really want to go with him. I was just so surprised he asked that I said yes."

After the movie, Steve and Marjorie went to a downtown tavern for a beer. After one beer, Steve explained that he had sufficient money for the bus to get up the hill and back to campus, only if they did not have a second beer. Marjorie opted for the second beer and the walk. Neither one of them remembers the movie they saw, but they both remember the long uphill walk with good conversation.

Marjorie graduated in spring 1962 and began teaching in Palatine, Illinois. Steve was in his senior year and would drive to Palatine to visit Marjorie. She lived with a couple fellow educators, so they did not have much private space for conversation, but Steve had an important question to ask Marjorie. One evening as the couple sat in Steve's car, he decided to ask her to marry him. Unlike their first date, Marjorie happily said yes!

The pair married on September 9, 1963, in Marjorie's hometown in Berwyn, Illinois. During their engagement, Marjorie got a teaching job in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She moved to Minneapolis, and, since the wedding was during the school year, she couldn't be gone long. Marjorie flew into Chicago on Friday evening and got married on Saturday. Family and friends were in attendance, including UD Professor of Theater Don Savage. Following the ceremony at the church, Marjorie's family hosted a small gathering at her parent's house. By Saturday evening, the newlyweds were back on the plane, flying from Chicago to Minneapolis to begin their lives together.

Marjorie taught elementary school and received her master of arts from University of Minnesota. Steve also continued his education at the University of Minnesota, completing his master of arts and doctor of philosophy. The couple then moved to Decatur, Illinois, where Steve found a job at Millikin University and Marjorie taught various elementary grades. Decatur would be their home for 32 years, during which time they had two sons, Jon and Jeff.

Both Steve and Marjorie had a passion for education and teaching. Marjorie's greatest joy as an educator came unexpectedly when she was asked to teach English as a second language. She had never taught that before, but she learned as she went and found so much joy in helping young students learn English. The students were eager to learn and their parents were thankful for the opportunities Marjorie provided their children.

Steve initially committed 10 years to Millikin University as a professor of history, but he enjoyed teaching so much that he stayed for 32 years. In 1973, Steve traveled to Abaco, Bahamas, for a winter course through Millikin University. Steve quickly fell in love with the area and brought Marjorie to the island to experience it as well. Soon the couple bought some land right on the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and decided to build a house. The couple did not have a lot of money, so Steve decided to build a small house himself. Hurricanes are frequent in the Bahamas, but every time their house would get knocked down, they would rebuild. Every time they rebuilt, the house would get a little bigger. Eventually they built a larger home for their growing family.

The Dodge Family traveled to Abaco as much as they were able. Naturally, Jon and Jeff developed the same love for the island and the community as their parents had. Wanting to be able to travel to Abaco easily and frequently, both Jon and Jeff moved to Daytona Beach, Florida, as they began their professional careers. Steve and Marjorie retired in 2000. Wanting to be closer to their sons and grandchildren, they decided to move to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, which also allows them to visit Abaco as much as they'd like.

Since his first visit in 1973, Steve continued his research about Abaco. In 2005, he wrote a book, Abaco, the History of an Out Island and Its Cays. His love of sailing and Abaco has also led to an annual book The Cruising Guide to Abaco, Bahamas, which is now continued by Jon and Jeff. In 2008, Steve was honored to receive the Cacique Award from the Government of Bahamas, which recognizes the role played by individuals and organizations whose performance or products have consistently made a positive impact on the quality and growth of Bahamas tourism.

Steve and Marjorie now split their time between Abaco and New Smyrna Beach. Marjorie enjoys Tai Chi on the beach every weekday morning while Steve will walk the beach. The couple also cherishes spending quality time with their granddaughters.

In September 2023, Steve and Marjorie celebrated 60 years of marriage.