Marc Poché was a constitutional scholar, distinguished jurist, liberal Democrat, and loving father. He had a wry and clever sense of humor. His favorite pastime was photography, and he spent many hours in his own darkroom, mastering black & white and color development, before there was digital photography. He enjoyed the symphony and the ballet, some opera, and an occasional well-produced musical. He appreciated a fine dinner.

Marc loved to travel and photographed Egypt, Zimbabwe, India and China as well as London, Paris, Venice and Rome, and vacationed regularly in Poipu Beach, Kauai. He and Terry accompanied Congressman Don Edwards and his wife, Edie, on diplomatic journeys to Viet Nam and the Amazon.

Marc lived in San José for much of his life, raising his children with Terry on University Avenue near the Municipal Rose Garden. He and Joan lived briefly in Edenton, North Carolina during his first retirement, and eventually retired to Round Rock, Texas, and then Niceville, Florida where he enjoyed living near his brother, Steve Poché and his wife Penny, before finally returning to California.

Family
- Marc’s parents were Marcel August Poché (nicknamed Map for his initials) and Marie Belmar Poché. He was born in New Orleans and they moved to California when he was a baby.
- His brother, Steve Poché, was a successful attorney in Niceville, Florida, where he lived with his wife, Penny.
- Marc was married to Therese (Terry) Kremer Poché for 40 years, divorced in 1998.
Marc and Terry had three children: Matt (wife Lisa), Anne and Michelle (husband John).
Marc is survived by his children and three grandchildren: Drew, Megan and Ian.
- Marc was remarried to Joan Sevier Poché for 20 years, widowed in 2018.

Distinguished Career
• Bellarmine College Preparatory Class of 1952, Valedictorian
• Santa Clara University
- Began a lifelong friendship as Jerry Brown’s R.A.
- Graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1956
• Marine Corps Officer
- 2 years active duty: First Lieutenant, Second Marine Air Wing in North Carolina
• Boalt Hall, UC Berkeley School of Law
- Associate Editor of the California Law Review
- Graduated in 1961, Admitted to the California Bar in 1962
• Ruffo, Ferrari & O’Neil Law Firm, San José -- Partner
• Santa Clara Law School, Professor of Law, 1969-1977
- Named “Outstanding Professor of the Year” by Student Bar Association in 1973
- Served on the Santa Clara University Board of Fellows
- Named “Owens Lawyer of the Year” in 1981
• Boalt Hall School of Law, Visiting Professor, 1973-74
- Served on the Board of Directors for the Boalt Hall Alumni Association
- Honored with the “Distinguished Service Award” in 1995
• Ran for public office as the Democratic nominee in the 25th Assembly District in 1968
- Endorsed by Ted Kennedy and others
• Executive Assistant and Counsel to Congressman Don Edwards, 1969-1975
- (His first wife, Terry Poché, subsequently served as District Director for Congressman Don Edwards, 1976-1995)
• Legislative Secretary and Senior Advisor to Governor Jerry Brown, 1975-1976
- Helped Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers win passage of the landmark Agricultural Labor Relations Act
• Appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown as a Judge of the Santa Clara County Superior Court in 1977
• Appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown as a Justice of the California Court of Appeal, First District, in 1979
- Named “Appellate Justice of the Year” by the California Trial Lawyers Association, 1981
- Named “Appellate Justice of the Year” by the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Assn., 2000
• University of Virginia School of Law, Masters Degree in Judicial Process, 1982
• Oriel College, Oxford University; First Seminar in Legal Studies for American Judges, 1984
• Retired briefly in Edenton, North Carolina, 2000-2002
• Appointed by Gov. Gray Davis as a Judge of the Santa Clara County Superior Court in 2002
• Finally retired again in 2013