Alex was born on September 10, 1969 in New York, New York, to Alexander Wedjuschenko and Johanna Karin Wedjuschenko (nee: Heess). He came home to meet his older sister and two more siblings followed in the next two years. Alexander, Sr. decided to “Americanize” their Ukrainian last name a few years after Alex was born, and he became Alexander Marshall.
As a youngster, growing up in Wisconsin and Colorado, Alex was fascinated by all things mechanical. He built model airplanes and cars and exhibited them in creative ways in his room. He loved Science Fair every year during elementary school and always had a project underway in the basement or garage – trying to get a scrapped dirt bike to run, breeding tadpoles to sell frogs or organizing rock or insect collections. He was a keeper of lizards and fashioned a harness & lead for his iguana so that he could take it everywhere with him.
While still a Junior at Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he bought his first muscle car, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle. He worked on it constantly – new wheels, new steering column & front end parts, a racing cam, a better shift kit, headers…meticulously combing through an old car to make it fast and beautiful again. Aside from his natural mechanical abilities, he was great in Biology and English class, he loved road trips all over the western U.S., and found another passion: rock and roll and metal music and concerts.
Over the years he became a top-notch mechanic who specialized in solving unusual and complicated automotive issues, but his favorite work was as an ASE Certified auto body man. He was a meticulous worker, a perfectionist, who kept going until it was right. He was known for his logically organized and spotlessly clean tool chest and a neat, tidy shop. He had a lot of cool vehicles over the years, including a couple of Z-28 Camaros, and a monster Pontiac Bonneville, but by middle age, he had come full circle to appreciate the glory of Mopar. His daughter, Alexandra, is now the carrier of the flame with his prized 1972 Dodge Challenger, and the fitting license plate “TORMENTR”.
Alex was a magnetic person: very smart, hilariously funny, with a curious mind, sharp wit and great conversational skills. He loved photography, was gifted with a green thumb and had great affection for the place he grew up – Colorado Springs and the central Rocky Mountains. In recent years he became interested in “RV culture” and spent time travelling and exploring the west coast of the U.S.
He is leaving behind his daughter, Alexandra L. Marshall (Kevin Zirkelbach) and his grandson, Kelvin Zirkelbach, his three siblings, Kimberley, Andrew and Erika (Rick), his nephews, “The Fourskins”: Wallace, William, Daniel and Erik, his Aunt Vera (Jaeger), and his cousin, Stephanie Jaeger. He also leaves behind many friends and acquaintances, including Chuck & Londi, Richard, Dan C., Mark W., Chris, and his ex-wife and fellow Tool traveler, Jennifer. There will be reminders of Alex every day, and there will be a lot of empty places, but our love for him will endure and our memories will keep him near. To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.
He was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Cassandra, and infant son Arron, his Mom, Karin, his Dad, his paternal grandparents, Olga and Andrei Wedjuschenko, his maternal grandparents, William and Wilhelmina Heess, his Uncle Wally Jaeger and his Uncle Wilhelm Heess. He was also predeceased by two beloved canine friends: Rocky and Charlie.
The last concert he attended was Tool in Milwaukee on Halloween, 2019. To quote the singer & lyricist of his favorite band, Maynard James Keenan: “This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality. Embrace this moment, remember: we are eternal, all this pain is an illusion”.
Godspeed, my Brother. I gotchu.