The novel coronavirus that has prompted a global pandemic has hit close to home for the Las Positas-Chabot College community.
Dr. Marshall Mitzman died Tuesday from complications due to the coronavirus. He was 73 years old.
Mitzman served on the Board of Trustees from 2008 to 2020, before dealing with a brain tumor he had been suffering from since January. He was a patient at the Gateway Care and Rehabilitation center in Hayward, Calif, where over 67 patients and staffers have tested positive for COVID-19.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague. We will remember and honor Marshall for his leadership and service to our district, our students and our community,” said Board President Ed Maduli in a statement.
Mitzman worked in business and sales for companies such as Bank of America, Avis Rent-A-Car and Nestle, as well as owning his own business. He also served as an adjunct professor for the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and various other junior colleges.
Mitzman served on the Alameda County School Board Association, Alameda County Salvation Army, Hayward Education Foundation, Friends of Chabot College Foundation and Hayward Chamber of Commerce as well as the CLPCCD Board of Trustees.
“Marshall’s commitment to higher education spanned more than his role as a trustee,” said CLPCCD Interim Chancellor Ronald Gerhard in a statement to the district. “His passion for teaching and helping students achieve their goals came through in everything he did and every decision he made.”
Mitzman will be missed by many in the CLPCCD community. Hayward City Councilmember Mark Salinas wrote in a Facebook post.
“Rest easy, Marshall, and thank you for everything you did for Chabot College students and the city of Hayward.”
Mitzman’s untimely death leaves a hole on the board that will be hard to fill. The board will discuss plans to try to fill his seat during their regularly scheduled meeting on April 21.
The Alameda County District Attorney is currently investigating the Gateway Care and Rehabilitation center after 41 patients and 26 staff contracted the virus. 13 patients at the facility have died due to the outbreak.
Devin Bradshaw is the editor in chief of The Express. Follow him @DevinBradshaw_.
