Marvin Tameanko was born in Toronto. He earned his BArch (1958) and MArch (1976) from the University of Toronto. Following the completion of his Bachelor's degree, he spent several years working in his own architectural practice. He began teaching at Ryerson in 1967 in what was then the Department of Architectural Technology. He was the Director of the Faculty of Architecture from 1971 to 1972 and from 1974 to 1975, and Acting Chairman in 1981. In the 1980s, Tameanko was integral to the Faculty of Architecture's move toward computer automation when he helped establish the department's computer lab and introduced AutoCAD to the institution. In addition to his architectural duties, he spent time as a Supervisor of the Politics program while it was still classed under Social Sciences, and as a Coordinator of Continuing Education. He was named Ryerson Professor of the Year (with Solly Patel) in 1987. He was certified Member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (MRAIC). He was affiliated with the Ontario Association of Architects and the Ontario Numismatic Association. A passionate numismatist, having written articles for "COIN News" and his book, "Monumental Coins : Buildings & Structures on Ancient Coinage" (1999). He retired to Emeritus status in 1996 and passed away in December 2016.