Robert Hildreth Marik

ROBERT MARIK, cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, died on April 28 at the age of 84. With his quintessential "glass half full" approach to life and indefatigable spirit, he was a role model for how to live life to the fullest. He could often be found in an animated phone conversation with a family member, friend, business colleague, or new acquaintance as his geniality, ebullient humor, and wise counsel were enjoyed by many. He was known for his sparkle and for easily slipping a pun into a conversation. Though presented with obstacles related to cancer, first diagnosed 30 years ago, he kept his upbeat, gregarious attitude, putting his engineer's mind to each new twist in the road, and adapting and thriving in spite of the challenges. Along with savoring a busy social life of cultural events and friends, Bob never retired from the varied career he so thoroughly enjoyed, reveling in the connections he made with others and the pleasure of bringing people together. While he had graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University with a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, it was his service as an officer in the Army that ignited his interest in a new career direction, and he went on to earn an MBA from the University of Southern California. His subsequent career spanned the business world, including positions as Vice President and General Manager of RedKen Laboratories and Vice President for Public Affairs of Merck & Co., Inc. and public service, including appointments in both the Nixon and Ford administrations (HEW and OMB). While at Merck, he served on the New Jersey State Commission on Alternative Teacher Education, helping to broker one of the nation's first alternative certification programs for public school teachers. In recent years he steered many a small business through sale and acquisition through the brokerage he founded, The Litchfield Group. A baseball pitcher in his youth, Bob remained an avid fan and enjoyed many Orioles games and later Nats games with his family through the years, often keeping score while the game was played and ready to talk stats with anyone who would join him. A lifelong gardener, Bob shared this passion with his family. His children remember fondly their summers of digging in the dirt, watching in wonder as sprouts broke through the soil, and sharing in his excitement as vegetables were harvested. Family bonding and laughter ensued when new recipes were employed to make use of the bounty, including an incredible overabundance of zucchini. Bob's earliest international travel was to France in high school, and he later continued exploring the world with his family, including trips to Egypt, China, Kenya, the Czech Republic, and Swaziland among other countries over the years. His sense of adventure helped spark a life-long interest in travel and learning about the world and other cultures in his two children. The Marik family's lively triennial reunions brought siblings, nieces and nephews together from across the country and saw an entire new generation grow to adulthood. Bob relished these gatherings filled with family lore, catching up, and new reasons to laugh together. Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife of 50 years, Joan Litchfield Marik. He is survived by his devoted adult children: daughter, Lisa Marik and son-in-law, Kevin Williams; and son, Dave Marik and daughter-in-law Stefanie, and by his two beautiful granddaughters, Emily and Abigail; by his loving siblings: sister Jackie Prince, and sister and brother-in-law Lillys and Hugh Price. He also leaves behind his adoring companion of eight years, Sue Bernstein, and her extended family. He will be sorely missed. A virtual celebration of his life will be held in June. Memorial contributions may be made to FINCA International ( www.villagebanking.org ) or Move On ( www.moveon.org ).