Malibu resident Marvin P. Rich died Dec. 31, 2015, from complications of a major stroke weeks prior. He was 70 years old. He died at home, surrounded by his wife, family and friends.
A native Californian, Rich was born in Long Beach on July 11, 1945 to the late Wayne and Margie (Davidson) Rich. Marvin grew up in Yorba Linda, Calif., graduated from high school in Fullerton, received his MBA at California State University, Fullerton, and pursued a career in IT, finance and corporate strategy.
After working for several major corporations, Rich advanced to executive vice president-level roles at California Federal Bank and Blue Cross/WellPoint before he was recruited to the East Coast. He joined the executive team at Kmart in Detroit, which was on the verge of bankruptcy at the time. His contributions in saving Kmart resulted in his recruitment to Connecticut as CAO for Oxford Health Plans, and later to New York as President and CEO of WebMD. Rich and his wife returned to Malibu in 2001. He joined HealthNet in Woodland Hills before retiring in 2006.
“We will remember Marv for his quick humor, boisterous laugh, larger-than-life personality, generosity, desires to teach and live life to the fullest, thrill during family game night, wonder of nature and awe of sunsets, curiosity for seeing the world and his pride in being a grandfather to Cat Evers,” his wife Cheryl said. “Marv had a huge desire and drive to make a positive difference in the companies he worked at, as well as in the lives of people he loved.”
Rich is survived by his wife of 23 years, Cheryl (Perry) Rich, his stepdaughter, Crystal Evers, and granddaughter, Caitlyn Evers, both of Malibu, his sister Waynel Walker and husband Rich of Lomita, Calif., Marcia Lorenz and husband Dick of Woodinville, Wash., and eight nieces and nephews.
“Marv will be forever loved, missed and remembered in every sunset we see,” Cheryl Rich said.
Rich’s ashes will be scattered at sea, followed by a celebration of life that is planned for this spring.