Mark E Lueders

Mark Lueders - Global citizen, Teacher, Beloved friend and brother, NHS Class of 1973 alumnus

Mark Lueders' quest for learning about the cultures of the world would lead him to leave his hometown of Naugatuck CT after college to experience international traveling, teaching and serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. Mark will be remembered as an inspirational teacher and mentor by many of his students of international schools in Costa Rica, India, Austria and Mexico.

His quest for adventure was as physical as it was intellectual. He was equally at home asking high school students to inquire philosophically and think deeply while reading classics of prose and poetry as he was co-leading mountain trek expeditions. He loved leading challenging treks with an organization called Snow Leopard and was passionate about their mission which focuses on the awe-inspiring majesty of the Himalayas and developing a connection to environmental conscientiousness.
He encouraged students to be courageous in the face of physical, academic and spiritual challenges, whether it was hiking up the mountain in dangerous conditions or discovering meaning in classic works of literature.

Mark was more than a teacher and trek leader.
As a lifelong learner he studied religions and philosophy and believed in the shared values of compassion and human dignity integral to sacred Buddhist teachings and Christian faith.

Mark was a beloved friend to many and brother to Dave and Seth. He had the fondest memories of times with his family spent in the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe. Across the many adventures of his life, Mark had an "incredible zest for life", as a family member described.
We pray he is in the presence of his mother, Arlene, who died in his youth and he forever missed. In his memory please share any act of kindness, which Mark believed to be a hallmark of care and community. Please also consider a donation to KIVA, a non-profit organization that grants micro-loans to people, which when repaid becomes invested in a new person. Mark funded 212 micro-loans to people in 39 countries, a testament to his belief that a small act of kindness can make a big difference.
Rest in Peace, Mark