Patrick Marsh, the man responsible for designing the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum attractions in Northern Kentucky, passed away last Thursday. He was 77.
Marsh, a world-renowned art director, served as the vice president of attractions design for Answers in Genesis (AiG), a Young Earth creationist apologetics organization, since 2001.
“Patrick’s fingerprints are all over the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter,” AiG founder and Ken Ham said in a statement. “I have never worked with a more creative person. Calling him a ‘genius’ is not an overstatement. I will miss him dearly, not only as a colleague but as a friend,” Ham added.
As reported by The Christian Post, the cause of Marsh’s death has not been announced.
For over 50 years, Marsh has utilized his artistic skills and craftsmanship in some of the most prominent designs, including the popular Jaws and King Kong attractions at Universal Studios in Florida. He also helped to coordinate 50 designers to do up the grounds of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and helped refurbish the Statue of Liberty in 1986.
Before passing away, Marsh was overseeing the complete redesign of the Creation Museum’s Palm Plaza section, which included the pro-life exhibit Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.
According to a 2019 USA Today readers’ poll, the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum were picked as the top faith-based attractions in America.
“Patrick was able to attract, build, and mentor a phenomenal team of talented younger-generation designers. Although Patrick can never be replaced, the team that was built under his leadership is ready to carry on his legacy,” Ham said.
Marsh, a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, received a bachelor’s degree in industrial design and a master’s degree in environmental design. He also served as the director of design for Dream Makers in Japan before joining AiG in 2001.
Marsh is survived by his wife, Sakae, whom he met and married in Japan.
Photo courtesy: ©Answers in Genesis, used with permission.
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
