Joseph Anthony Marcus

Joseph Anthony Marcus, resident of Bozeman, Montana passed away on April 5, 2022. Mr. Marcus, who earned a Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology, was renowned for his extensive research in the Laboratory for Cognitive Neurobiology at the Boston University School of Medicine. He completed his graduate work in the Biological Anthropology Program at Harvard University, where his Ph.D. thesis compared numbers of neurons in the cortical columns of mammals ranging from humans to hippos [Marcus, J.A., Lin, J. Z., Rosene, D. L., and Deacon, T. W. 1999. "Non-uniformity of neocortical structure in mammals: Variation in radial neuron number." Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 25:105]. Originally trained in human behavioral biology and evolutionary neuroanatomy by Dr. Terrence Deacon, Mr. Marcus applied insights from evolutionary theory to problems of primate brain aging.

Biological anthropologist and comparative neuroanatomist, Joseph Marcus researched the cognitive changes associated with normal aging. His original education was in Chinese language and East Asian Studies; Anthropology (cultural and biological); and neuroscience (focusing on human brain evolution).

Joseph proudly wrote, "the high point in my undergraduate career was my junior-year studying abroad in Taiwan. In addition to studying Mandarin Chinese, I followed in the footsteps of Darwin and Wallace by carrying out an extensive field collection of invertebrates in the intertidal and littoral zones of Taiwan's coral reefs, concentrating on mollusks but also nabbing the occasional sea snake. This research was sponsored by the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History (Prof. Shi-Kuei Wu) and the National Taiwan Museum (Mr. Ching-Yang Lai)."

Joseph Marcus worked as an ambulance and emergency room medical technician. He also did volunteer work for the Alpine Rescue Team in Evergreen, Colorado. The Alpine Rescue Team is a mountain search and rescue unit dedicated to saving lives through search, rescue, and mountain safety education. Joseph was a veteran of the U.S Army (Specialist 4th Class) who received the Army Commendation Medal (1973) for his national security-related endeavors.

In addition to his extensive professional, service and job accomplishments, Joseph possessed a deep appreciation for the various beauties and textured experiences afforded by life. He admired the arts and literature, interacting with them whenever possible, and esteeming books and music recordings among some of his most treasured possessions. He held a particular affinity for Verdi operas, Shakespearian plays and classic musical theater. He also revered the inherent art and beauty found in nature and felt most at peace outdoors, surrounded by mountains. He moved to Montana toward the end of his life specifically to become a neighbor to its majestic landscape. His respect for nature was perfectly partnered with his great, life-long love for animals.

Joseph befriended animals, but also made a habit of engaging with, and learning from, people from varied cultures and backgrounds. Ever the student, Joseph would spend hours asking new acquaintances--or old friends--about their life experiences and perspectives. Although he hated cliche statements, it is true of Joseph that he, "never met a stranger." It is also true that those who interacted with him felt that, "the world was a better place for having had him in it." This man lived an adventurous and extraordinary life, touching all he encountered with his exuberance, brilliance and sweet affability. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

Joseph is preceded in death by his mother Barbara, father Lee and brother Scott. He is survived by Kevin, his partner of many years, brother Dan and sister-in-law Deborah, brother Jed and brother-in-law Alex, niece Mindy, nephew Anthony, stepmother Margaret and cousin Judy.

His Favorite Quotes:

"There is grandeur in this view of life ... that ... from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved." (Charles Darwin)

"Yet it was not that nature had shed o'er the scene/Her purest of crystal and brightest of green ... /'Twas that friends, the beloved of my bosom, were near/Who made every dear scene of enchantment more dear/And who felt how the best charms of nature improve/When we see them reflected from looks that we love." (Thomas Moore)

"To navigate in a world without value is to be without rudder or destination, and yet without science, we navigate blind. To many, apparently, blindness is preferable." (Terrence W. Deacon)

In lieu of flowers please send donations to:
The Lupus Foundation of America
support.lupus.org