Mark Paul Niemczyk

It is with deep sadness, that we - wife, daughter, son, grandchildren, sister, niece, nephew, cousins, and friends - invite you to share our grief as we mourn the unexpected journey of Mark Paul Niemczyk to his eternal resting place.
In the early afternoon of May 12, 2025, Mark, a resident of Wheaton IL, died in the arms of Cassandra, his wife of fifty-one years. He was 78 years old.
Mark was born on November 21, 1946, in Buffalo NY. He earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of Buffalo, and his Ph D in organic chemistry from Columbia University in New York City.
He and his future wife Cassandra met in Philadelphia when she needed a ride to church. It was winter 1973. Cassandra was a free spirit, earning a doctorate in psychology at Temple University. She outfitted Mark with a new hairstyle and wire-rimmed glasses. Soon afterward, flowers would appear nightly at her apartment door with a note that read, "Call me at Dr. Bell's office", where Mark worked as a part time cleaner. Mark would pick up Cassandra at her apartment, and the two of them would spend the evening at Dr. Bell's. It is fair to say that their romance blossomed amid cleaning buckets, brooms, mops, and and a vacuum.
The couple became engaged in March 1973. They were married on September 7, 1973, at Calvary Reformed Presbyterian Church in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
Mark's goal was to become a college professor. It was a time of social and political upheaval. Teaching jobs were difficult to find, but in the summer of 1974, Mark landed a one-year appointment at Grinnell College in Iowa, where he and Cassandra met a wonderful group of friends and learned a lot about growing soybeans. In later life, one of their favorite films was Field of Dreams, set in Iowa.
Their first child, Elizabeth Erin, was born at Grinnell Hospital on July 3, 1975. When a full-time position opened up at Wheaton College in Illinois, Mark applied and was accepted. He would teach at Wheaton for forty-two years. Exactly seventeen months after the birth of Elizabeth, a son, Benjamin David, would join the family on December 3. 1976. Elizabeth would become an artist and costume designer in New York City and Chicago, and Benjamin would embrace classical music and work in New York City, conducting a multitude of ensembles. Mark was teased relentlessly by his colleagues. How could a hard-nosed scientist have produced such artistic children? As Mark's mother would have said, "It happens".
In the wake of his stroke in 2016, Mark developed a rare complication known as Vascular Parkinsonism. Falls, sleep apnea, and mild cognitive decline are common
outcomes. Several months before his death, Mark developed additional symptoms, including dysphasia and severe neck and shoulder pain. By early fall 2024, he experienced a sudden and acute loss of muscle strength in his core which, in turn, deprived him of the abilities to stand, walk, or remain upright in a chair. These symptoms may or may not have been a part of his Parkinsonism.
Despite his disabilities, Mark gave many gifts to the world. In addition to the artistic contributions of his children, Mark's former students included a doctor who helped to develop the Moderna mRNA Covid vaccine. This same doctor supervised the clinical trials for the vaccine, which saved thousands upon thousands of lives. Another student became head of cardiology at University Hospitals in Cleveland. A third student attended Mark's mother when she lay dying from a fourth heart attack. Still another student went to Woods Hole in Massachusetts and became a marine biologist. Hundreds more entered the medical professions, including the mental health field and dentistry. His former students are serving people in need across the country.
Besides his grieving wife and children, Mark also leaves his son-in-law, Brian Mueller who is married to Elizabeth; their daughter Clara and son Walton Sanborn. Also, Benjamin's special friend, Julia Korell and a mutual friend, Kitty Skrobela.
Not to be forgotten are Mark's devoted sister, Susan Hardy, her children, Amy Lynn, John, John's wife La Lai, and their two beautiful daughters; also, many cousins from the large extended family, including Catherine and her family, Marianne and her family, Richard and his family, and cousins Kathy and Karen.
Mark was pre-deceased by his mother, Dorothy Boniak Niemczyk; father, Francis Niemczyk; brother-in-law, Bob Hardy, husband of Susan; and many aunts and uncles.
Mark was small of stature but bigger than life. He was the smartest and kindest man Cassandra has ever known. Their mutual love will transcend his death. He was a marvelous husband and father, willing to help anyone in need. He loved baseball and was a lifelong New York Yankees fan. So many people loved Mark. We are truly the lucky ones. But oh, how we shall miss him! It will take a long time to get past the grief. Where love abounds, grief and tears flow like a river.
Arrangements provided by Hultgren Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Wheaton IL. According to the family's wishes, there will be no funeral.