Celebrating the Life of Marvin Sholl
Marvin Sholl, 93, of Rancho Mirage, CA, died peacefully on June 10, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 21, 1927 to Louis and Jeanette Sholl in Chicago, IL, where he met and married his first love and wife of 56 years, Carol Phyllis Halper. Carol preceded him in death, as did their beloved sons Scott and Barry Sholl.
A lifelong car enthusiast, Marv turned his passion into his profession, running dealerships from a young age. He was especially proud of being one of the youngest Jewish men to manage a Pontiac franchise in Chicago in the 1950s. After moving to the Desert in 1976, Marv continued his long love affair with cars, and in 1981 opened Exotic Motor Cars in Palm Springs, where he never met a Rolls-Royce he didn’t like. He was a proud Veteran of the United States Navy, serving during WWII, and always drove one of his signature cars in the Palm Springs parade.
After their youngest son, Barry, died from complications of HIV/AIDs, he and his late wife Carol became active volunteers with Desert AIDS Project (now DAP Health). They both received recognition for their humanitarian efforts in the fight against AIDS, including the Warner Engdahl Community Service Award presented at the 2006 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards. On World AIDS Day in 2016, the Marv Sholl Red Ribbon of Hope Award was established to honor his then 30-year commitment and presented at the Everyday Heroes ceremony, which Marv certainly was.
In 2007 Marv met the second love of his life, his adoring wife, Ruth Ruffner. Their late life love affair brought incredible joy to Marv as well as a whole new family that adored him.
Marv always had a twinkle in his eye, was quick with a joke, and was a generous friend. When his grand children were young, they thought he must be the Mayor of Palm Springs, since wherever they went, he seemed to know everyone. He loved and was loved by the many friends he made in the Coachella Valley.
He is survived and will be forever missed by his beloved family: wife Ruth Ruffner; daughter Leslie Sholl Jaffe her husband David Jaffe, his grandchildren Dara and Gary Jaffe, and nephew Rick Sholl; as well as step-children, Sue Sherman and her wife, Pam Juhos; Richard Sherman and his children David, Greg and Jade.
There will be a private Memorial Service at a later date. However, to honor Marv’s memory, we request donations be made to DAPHealth.org.