Dr. Marvin Russell Havens

Dr. Marvin Russel Havens, 77, husband of Sue Havens, passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Born August 4, 1948, in Sanger, California and a long-time resident of Greer, SC, he was the son of the late Dr. Nels Havens and Eleanor Havens. Known to many simply as Marv, he was always ready to help all of his friends and neighbors, whether it was to fix various engines and cars, or just to teach a life lesson or tell a story. Marv didn’t have all the answers, but he knew 3 other people that did. He built relationships over boxes of doughnuts or beer as required. From an early age he had a love of reading, cars (mostly Chevy’s), and railroads. He was a member of St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Greenville, SC and thoroughly enjoyed being part of St Peter’s Men’s group “Romeos”, aka Retired Old Men Eating Out. Marv is survived by his wife Sue; her sons Brian Williamson (Terri), and Lee Williamson; granddaughter Brianna Williamson; sisters Marilyn Demijan (Don) and Norma Havens (Bob Belknap); nieces Vanessa Lindeberg, and Karin Demijan King; nephews Nico Black and Brian Demijan; and several grandnieces and a grandnephew. One of Marv’s most joyful roles was being a grandfather to Brianna. He never thought he would have children but gained two adult sons in Brian and Lee when he married Sue. Brianna filled him with joy, and he bragged about her to everyone. They had a special relationship which included many days at Dairy Queen eating ice cream, exploring used books stores, and Marv sharing his love of trains with her, leading to them being elves every December on the Greenville & Western Railway’s Santa Train. Marv retired from Sealed Air/Cryovac in Duncan, SC. He previously worked for Union Carbide research laboratory in South Charleston, West Virginia, after working with a Shell Oil co-op in Roxanna Illinois during college. After retirement from Cryovac, Marv taught classes in radiation safety and polymer science and processing, and helped found Clemson University’s Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films. He earned the respect of his coworkers and friends through his sound judgment and extensive knowledge, which yielded 41 U.S. patents throughout his career. During his long career in chemical engineering, he traveled the world. He enjoyed traveling and would often tell stories of his adventures; from having US tourists in Germany thinking he was actually German, to riding camels in Egypt to visit the pyramids, and walking along the Great Wall in China. After graduating from East Alton Wood River High School, Wood River Illinois, he continued his education at Rolla Missouri School of Mines, earning his bachelor, master’s and doctorate degrees. Marv was also a lifetime Alumni of Sigma Pi Fraternity Alpha Iota Chapter at Rolla and a Member of the Academy of Chemical and Biochemical Engineers. His passion of railroads led him to the Greenville Chapter National Railway Historical Society Inc, Hub City Railroad Museum in Greer, South Carolina (SC). He rode trains at every chance throughout the world. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday February 21, 2026, 1pm at St Peter’s Episcopal Church, 910 Hudson Road, Greenville, SC. A fellowship time will follow at the church to share memories and stories of Marv. The Celebration of Life will be live streamed on the church’s website www.StPetersGreenville.com and on YouTube. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Greenville Chapter of the NRHS (https://secure.nrhs.com/forms/giving) or to St. Peters Episcopal Church (https://www.stpetersgreenville.com/giving).

Dr. Marvin Russell Havens

August 4, 1948 - February 11, 2026