Mark William Siewert

With great sadness, the family of Mark William Siewert announces his passing from this world on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. He had battled ferociously for his health and his life, a life marked by optimism, intellectual curiosity, generosity, and love of his family, friends and his Catholic faith.

He was born in Marion, Ohio, to his father, William Siewert and his mother, Elenora (nee Devay). The family soon moved to Michigan, landing in Coloma, where he helped on the family farm with his dad, mom and younger sister, Kim. From the time he was a toddler he loved to pick berries and tomatoes along with the adults. He was part of a large clan of aunts, uncles and cousins. His childhood was idyllic; on their horses, he and his sister roamed neighboring farms and the dunes of Lake Michigan. He hunted with his dad and his cousins. Oscar, his beagle, was the dog he loved most.

His young life was also blessed. For his First Holy Communion at age 5 years old, he offered the Sacrament for his classmates.

In school he enjoyed history, science, mechanics and mathematics. He read an entire Encyclopedia series by the age of 9. School mates affectionately called him "Professor."

As a 16-year-old, he got his amateur pilot license and buzzed his friends and family on occasion, to his mother's great terror. He recalled a solo student flight in which he evaded a large commercial plane in a manner that stunned his dad and instructor and averted disaster. He loved his high school friends: Keith and Elsie Bermingham, Rockie Krager and Robin Barricklow, with whom he had fun and made mischief. Still, he stayed a proud and true Eagle Scout. If his life had a soundtrack, it would be the complete works of The Grateful Dead.

After high school, he entered the U.S. Navy. He served his country as a nuclear propulsion plant operator on the USS George Washington Carver Submarine and USS Nimitz Aircraft Carrier during 1976-82. In 1979, he received a commendation from his captain and letter of congratulations from Admiral H.G. Rickover, Father of the Nuclear Navy, for an innovative emergency mechanical repair. He received the Navy Expeditionary Medal.

After his honorable E6 discharge, he worked at Commonwealth Edison while attending the Illinois Institute of Technology, earning a bachelor of science in physics with honors. He then went through General Electric's Edison Program, where he earned a master of science degree in nuclear engineering in one year at the University of California, Berkely.

GE was his home base for years, until he moved to Lockheed Martin and then Hernandez Engineering, where he worked for NASA on the Space Shuttle and later the Jupiter Icy Moons programs. He would later return to the GE fold, where he worked with many brilliant and kind people and remained there until his retirement.

California opened a world of outdoor activities for Mark. He already was an avid skier, and trekked to Montana and Europe with friends to enjoy the sport. In his 40s, he participated in a variety of races, including marathons, and developed a passion for mountain and long distance (100-and 200-mile) biking with his San Jose bike club.

He and his wife Phyllis and their friends would comb the parks and beaches, from Yosemite to Big Sur. Mark was a docent (guide) at the Elephant Seal Sanctuary on Ano Nuevo where they first met.

His beloved parents: Bill and Elenora; sister, Kim and cousin, Ronnie Sr., precede him in death.

Mark is survived by his wife of 24 years, Phyllis; his cousins: Tom and Timmy Hirsch, Zeb and Ronald Hirsch, Denise Marx, Valerie Novotny, Holly Robertson, Mary Ellen McInerny, as well as his extended family of Malanka brothers and sisters; nieces and nephews; a grand niece and all of his supportive and loving friends, neighbors and colleagues.

Visitation including the Holy Rosary will take place from 6-8 Friday, Sept. 5, at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet.

Catholic Funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet.

Donations may be made in Mark's Memory to the COPD Foundation or SubForce Scholarships.