MARLENE TEMPLE: A HEART FOR THE CITY

5 hours ago

By Gina Valencia

As a young girl, Marlene Temple was an exemplary high school student, and the “fastest stenographer” in her class.

Bank of America honored her with an “Achievement Award,” which led her towards a career path. Upon graduating from Wilson High School, she marched into the Bank of America branch at 1st and Pine (award in-hand as an introduction), was hired “on the spot” as secretary to a Loan Officer, and thus began her life-long secretarial career. Years later, she would retire from the City of Hawaiian Gardens as Administrative Assistant to the City Manager.

Her decades of secretarial work helped her develop the skill of keeping fastidious notes and files – a habit she employs today as she organizes her home office and garage, which are filled with filing cabinets and boxes of paperwork from years of being on numerous charity boards.

“I’m a dreadfully organized person,” she said, but she laughingly questions if that is an “asset” or a “curse!”

“Sunshine Girl”

An only child, Lois Marlene Rusk was born in Clinton, Missouri, (“Missourah” as called by those from the “Show-Me” state) to hardworking parents. At the age of five, her family relocated to Long Beach when her father followed the aviation boom of the 1930s and ‘40s, and later worked for McDonnell Douglas.

“I just love Long Beach,” she said. “It’s a beautiful city. The weather couldn’t be more perfect. I’m a sunshine girl.”

Long Beach became her true, lifelong home, and its residents have benefitted tremendously from having Marlene embrace it with such vigor. Along with her late husband, entrepreneur Don Temple, they founded the Don Temple Family Charitable Foundation in 2003, where she serves as Board President. Since its establishment, the Foundation has contributed financial assistance to countless Long Beach charities. She and Don operated from the motto, “Long Beach has been good to us, and we strive to give something back.”

We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

When a young Don Temple made his way west from Kansas in 1952, as a Navy recruit, he felt an immediate connection to Southern California.

“He used to say that when he’d call home, he’d tell his family, ‘I done gone to heaven and I ain’t coming back,’” Marlene recalled. “He just loved Long Beach.”

Don’s entrepreneurial roots began as a young teenager in Kansas who along with his father had an ice-block delivery business. This early education in running a small business was undoubtedly the catalyst that propelled him to own and operate several businesses in Long Beach, including several service stations in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The last gas station he owned was at the corner of Palo Verde Avenue and Spring Street; the lot which is named Temple Center now houses commercial and medical buildings. In 1969, Don opened the first self-storage business in California, later owning multiple facilities.

“He’s a self-made man," Marlene has said. "He came from a very meager start, and he amassed his empire by being an ethical and hardworking man."

The love Don felt for the city he considered his little slice of heaven, manifested in his and Marlene’s desire to give back through philanthropic work, even though both Don and Marlene were already involved in the community by providing of their time and financial contributions long before they officially established the Don Temple Family Charitable Foundation.

“We’re a small, private family foundation,” Marlene said. “We do not do money-making activities, and our donations go only to Long Beach activities.”

Giving Back In A Big Way

The Foundation supports organizations that focus on health, education, and the arts, because as Marlene explains, “[Those] seem to cover most aspects of life.”

For over 20 years, million-dollar grant commitments from the Foundation have provided the Long Beach City College (LBCC) Foundation the funds to offer state-of-the-art services through the Temple Family Charitable Foundation Math Success Center, and more recently the Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS) along with offering yearly Scholarships in the Automotive/Airplane Programs.

“Thousands of students have been impacted by the Math Success Center,” said Paul Kaminski, LBCC Foundation CEO. “The LBCC Math Success Center [provides] tutoring to students of all levels at no cost, and thousands more will now be impacted in the DSPS Center. These gifts include endowments that will generate support funds in perpetuity. Marlene and the Temple Foundation have been two of the biggest supporters of [LBCC].”

For LBCC student Jose Vicente Mendoza Rosado, being chosen as a Temple Foundation 2024-2025 scholarship recipient was a thrilling honor. “I couldn’t believe it,” Jose recalls. “[I was filled with] excitement and happiness.”

The automotive technology student and Cabrillo High School grad now in his third semester at LBCC is working on his associate’s degree and certification to become a mechanic. This scholarship will help him pay for classes, books, school fees, and other supplies. “I am really grateful for this award,” Jose said. “[It will] support [my] academic journey to become someone in the future, contributing to society.”

Understanding the importance of early education, the Temple Foundation has also contributed to the Long Beach Day Nursery and Precious Lamb Preschool. “Whenever I had a cause that focused on kids, [Marlene] and Don would be generous [with donations],” said Brian C. Russell, a former LB Day Nursery board chair. “More than simply writing the checks, [Marlene] is genuinely and positively interested in the lives she’s improving.”

“She’s a stellar example for the community of what a true philanthropist is,” said LBCC Foundation CEO Paul. “She is visible at most of the community fundraising events.”

As an event sponsor and guest at the 2024 Precious Lamb Preschool gala, Marlene witnessed the ways Temple Foundation support has been able to help when the gala’s keynote family speaker, Franklin Kwaku Nti-Gyabaah, father of two children who have attended the preschool, expressed his gratitude for the love and education his daughters have received.

“[Marlene] is an advocate for children’s causes here in Long Beach, and I greatly admire and respect her,” said Cheri Bazley, Precious Lamb Preschool executive director.

The Temples also enjoyed theater and music together and have supported several arts organizations for many years. They were patrons and supporters of International City Theatre (ICT) in the 1980s when ICT was located on the LBCC campus. Temple donations to ICT have helped to “keep professional theatre alive,” said caryn desai, artistic director and producer with ICT. “[Their] generous support also helps us provide six education programs to our community.”

ICT offers several free traveling programs, visiting school-age kids as well as senior citizens. Marlene believes strongly in the power of music and the arts, especially when involving children.

“[Marlene’s] support helps serve all regardless of age or demographic,” caryn shared. “Providing access to all is an important investment in our youth, our community, and our nation.”

Also receiving million-dollar grants have been the Aquarium of the Pacific, where visitors see the Temple name on the entry ticketing area, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Cardiac Monitoring Unit within the hospital’s Heart and Vascular Unit.

Philanthropic Calling

Marlene has been honored with many accolades for her contributions, including being the 2023 Assistance League Rick Rackers “Woman of the Year” recipient, and the 2024 CAMEO “Philanthropic Partner of the Year,” along with the 2023 International City Theatre “Ackerman Crystal Arts and Humanitarian Award.”

“Marlene is a lovely, caring woman who shares and values our mission,” caryn said. “She demonstrates that commitment with actions not just words. That was a major contributing factor in recognizing her with [the award]. She is an amazing ball of energy and a wonderful example of kindness and compassion.”

Rick Rackers and CAMEO, both auxiliary programs of the Assistance League of Long Beach (ALLB), aim to help the city’s underserved youth by providing services dedicated to their success, whether through the Rick Rackers Philanthropy program Operation School Bell (donating thousands of school uniforms and school supplies) or the CAMEO high school mentoring program.

“Because of donors like Marlene, we’ve been able to expand and offer more services,” said Julie Wilson, current President of the Board of Directors of ALLB. “[Marlene] is so sweet, humble, and kind.”

Forever Young

For all the publicity she has attracted, Marlene is still a down-to-earth great grandma who loves her cat, Cindy Lou. Because her family is scattered around the country, she values spending time with her many friends who are her “rocks.” Her daily routine rarely wavers; every morning after feeding Cindy Lou, she sits with her coffee, a muffin, and reads the newspaper.

“I make time every single day to read the newspaper and do the crossword puzzle,” she said. “I just love it.” She quips that she may be the longest living Press-Telegram subscriber. After that, she will either attend a meeting, go to an appointment, or meet with friends.

“She’s a good person. Very smart and well-respected,” friend Gene Simpson said.

Gene and his late wife Donna had been friends with Marlene and Don for over a decade. The four would travel together often. Don and Gene became friends through their mutual affinity for airplanes; they were both “aviation guys.” Don was an accomplished pilot, flying his twin-engine Cessna 421 out of his hangar at the Long Beach Airport. In 1992, he was part of a contingent that flew their private planes around the world. I think if this could be cut due to word count, but I know this is one of the first that Gina interviewed and a good friend of Marlene’s. I had already cut a bunch of his quote from Gina’s first draft.

For her “2nd 45th birthday” party in early 2024, over 140 friends and family from across the country and around the city, including Councilmembers and other city notables, came to celebrate this petite lady from “Missourah” who has made enormous contributions to the betterment of Long Beach.

When most 90-year-olds might be sitting around, Marlene is busy socializing, traveling, and helping to make the world a better place. Her calendar is scattered with galas, receptions, and meetings to attend. “Actually, a day at home is a luxury,” she said. “I’m a big believer in staying active as you age. Active body and mind are important.”

After enduring some major medical issues over the last few years, Marlene took the proper time to heal, but then got back out there. “You don’t always feel good all the time,” she said. “You can stay home with a heating pad and feel worse, or get up, get dressed and go.”

It’s quite apparent to anyone who knows Marlene, or even just met her, that she is a meticulous dresser. From the ornate earrings that match her gorgeous statement necklaces, which coordinate with her blouse and slacks, to her black low-heel pumps and her immaculate manicured nails adorned with a rhinestone cat charm on one nail and the Chanel insignia on another, Marlene is always elegant.

Serving The Community

The Temple Foundation has been but an extension of Marlene and Don’s benevolent hearts. They’ve helped plant the seeds of good works and, in the capable hands of trusted people that run the charities the Foundation has supported, these seeds will continue to grow to change and empower lives.

“Community service is to me so fulfilling,” Marlene said. “And I am privileged to be a part in making life happier and easier for those we serve. Don and I had a motto: In life, it is the sharing that lives on.”

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:

There are many ways to serve our community. Let’s take a page from Marlene and the Temple Family Charitable Foundation and discover some organizations that they have supported.

Serve on a Board for a Non-Profit Organization

Musical Theatre West: Board of Trustees (Marlene)

Rancho Los Alamitos: Foundation Board (Marlene)

Donations and Sponsorships

Aquarium of the Pacific

Long Beach Memorial Heart Institute

Long Beach City College “Math Success Center”

Long Beach City College “Disabled Student Program”

Long Beach Playhouse

Musical Theatre West (productions at the Carpenter Theatre)

Memorial Hospital Foundation: “Dancing for Our Stars”

Musical Theatre West: “Broadway in the Park”