
A Journey Beyond Borders – Marshall Warfield: The Making of a True Cosmopolitan
“The Social Studies teacher who inspired me to be a better person—what more could I ask for?”
– Linda Chaffee (Class of 1976)
For many of us, Marshall Warfield is more than a memorable teacher—he’s a guiding light. His lifelong dedication to education, and his love for life, left an indelible mark on everyone lucky enough to know him. We’re fortunate that he’s willing to share his remarkable story with us.
Milestones in Life:
- Attended Lake of the Woods Secondary School
- Studied English at Bemidji State University
- Taught at Bonn American High School (BAHS) from 1972-1976
- Continued teaching at St. Mary’s International School in Japan for 31 years
- Retired in 2011, now living where others vacation
- Happily married for 35 years, with two wonderful children
Life’s Mission:
As Marshall looks toward the future, his goal is simple yet profound: to embrace the joy of life and share it with those around him.
Life at the Lake:
When Marshall isn’t tending to his 300-acre farm, you can find him with his family at their island cabin on Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada. There, he enjoys fishing, swimming, water sports, and spending quality time together—often culminating in a sunset cruise with cocktails in hand.

Interview with Marshall
Teacher for Social Studies and English. Coach for basketball, track, cross country and speech in Bonn from 1972 – 1976
BAHS: What was your best Childhoud memory?
MW: My best childhood memories were hunting and fishing with my parents and all the memorable time I spent with my grandparents while growing up.
BAHS: What was one of your most defining moments in life?
MW: My first backpacking trip to Europe one summer changed me forever. I knew I had to expand my horizons beyond the U.S. and move in international circles.
BAHS: Why did you choose to become a teacher?
MW: I finished my undergraduate work and spent a year in law school. This was during the Vietnam War, and while I couldn’t escape the military to continue my education, teachers were in high demand, so I jumped into a teaching job—and loved it. The rest is history.
BAHS: How do you spend your free time?
MW: I’m very blessed to live on nearly 300 acres surrounding a semi-private lake, where I’ve taken on the role of “forest meister.” I spend most of my time working on projects that focus on improving and preserving this wonderful gift.
BAHS: If you won the lottery, what would you do?
MW: Winning the lottery would give me the chance to set up programs teaching “parents how to be BETTER parents” across the country. Sadly, this has become a lost art. The unraveling of society can be traced back to disinterested parents who are too busy to put in the effort to prepare their children for life’s challenges. It’s easier to expect schools to handle everything—education, coaching, music lessons, even guidance. It’s unfair to expect educators to wear all those hats.

BAHS: Whom do you most admire in life?
MW: I deeply admire volunteers across all walks of life. They make a difference with no pay, little recognition, and only personal satisfaction as their reward. I admire those who visit children’s hospitals, people who volunteer at Boys & Girls Clubs, and hospice care workers. These unsung heroes deserve all the praise.
BAHS: What are your top three favorite books and why?
MW: “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” for its message about doing things with quality in mind; “Catch-22” for its humorous take on the absurdity of humanity; and “The Roads to Sata,” a memoir of a 2,000-mile walk through Japan, memorable for its encounters with people and beautiful descriptions of the scenery.
BAHS: What are you most afraid of?
MW: I’m most afraid of the world we are leaving to our children and grandchildren. We’re heading down a path of environmental destruction, and unless we make tough choices now, extinction is inevitable. It might take a century, but we’re on our way.
BAHS: What feels like love to you?
MW: Looking into my kids’ eyes always feels like love to me. Hearing stories of everyday citizens doing heroic things with no concern for their own safety also speaks volumes about the love people have for one another.
BAHS: What is your strongest personal quality?
MW: I think my strongest quality is my ability to keep things steady and help navigate tough negotiations between polar opposites.
BAHS: What was your most embarrassing moment?
MW: After too much sake, I had to walk naked through a crowded Japanese bathhouse lobby to ask the receptionist for help opening my locker because I lost my key and couldn’t remember which locker was mine. It took a while. LOL.
BAHS: If you were president, what is the first thing you would do?
MW: As President, I would follow the historical lesson that a strong protective force is necessary. But my foreign policy would focus on providing two things: hospitals and schools. I’d build and staff them, and that would be it. NO weapons trade, no troop commitments. It’s hard for a nation to hate you if you only bring health and education. So simple.
BAHS: What age do you feel right now and why?
MW: I’ve had a couple of setbacks, but I still feel like I’m in my mid-50s because I can do most of the things I did then. I watch my weight, work out, eat well, get enough sleep, and try to laugh every day. Laughter is key to good health.

BAHS: If you could witness any event from the past, present, or future, what would it be?
MW: I’d love to spend a week back in the time of dinosaurs—as long as I was safe!
BAHS: What is a skill you’d like to learn and why?
MW: I’d love to spendI’d like to learn a foreign language—either German or Japanese.
BAHS: What does a perfect day look like to you?
MW: A perfect day would be with my extended family at our island cabin on Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada. We’d spend the day fishing, swimming, doing water sports, enjoying a fabulous meal, and finishing with a sunset cruise and cocktails. We actually do this often!
BAHS: How would your friends describe you?
MW: My friends might say I’m helpful, noisy, a wannabe comedian with annoying junior-high humor, someone they can count on, and generous.
Marshall, thank you so much for taking the time to share your story.
It’s been a pleasure to learn more about your life and discover how much we have in common. I’m confident that your journey will inspire others and serve as a guide for aging gracefully and with dignity. In my humble opinion, you are a model of how to achieve that balance.
One last Question for you:
BAHS: What important message would you like to share with us?
Marshall Warfield: My message to everyone is simple: Be true to yourself. Stay healthy. Take time for others. Volunteer.
Learn to manage your time wisely. Put down your phone. Pay attention, and most importantly, listen—make sure your conversation partner has equal time to speak. Let your faith, whatever it may be, be rooted in the natural world, and protect it with everything you have. Find humor in life’s ups and downs, and above all, don’t take yourself too seriously. Laugh at your own human folly.
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