David Mars

1927 - 2015

1927 - 2015
David Mars of Redondo Beach, California died peacefully on August 12th in the presence of his family. He was a Professor Emeritus of the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy.
Born February 21st in Philadelphia to Joseph and Sarah Mars, David was raised in Trenton, New Jersey where his parents owned and operated a bakery. His scholarly nature was recognized when young and he went to study at a Yeshiva in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated at 16 from Trenton High School and enrolled at Rutgers University. In 1945 he volunteered for the US Navy, returning to Rutgers in 1946. He earned a BA, an MA, and, in 1952, a PhD in Political Science. His first academic position upon graduation was at the University of Connecticut at Storrs.
At Rutgers, David met Marien Weisser. They married in 1954. Their son Robert was born while in Connecticut, followed by their daughter, Betsy. In 1960 David became the Research Director for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Commission in Madison, Wisconsin.
At naval training school, sitting on the sunny beach in Monterey in January, David had decided he must eventually relocate to California, and in 1962 he joined the faculty of the School of Public Administration at the University of Southern California. The School had a program in Rio de Janeiro and David moved there with his family. In 1965, they returned to Los Angeles where he remained until retirement.
David was a memorable teacher, a passionate scholar, and a creative leader. As its Director in 1969-1971, he led the School safely through a particularly difficult time, when there was great student unrest through opposition to the war in Vietnam. His ability to ease discussions and his abiding sense of fairness meant that when no longer Director, he was still often asked to chair meetings.
He was also committed to public service, serving on the Torrance Human Resources Commission from 1977-1981, followed by the Torrance Planning Commission from 1981-1987.
In 1991, he retired to care for his ailing wife but remained active in the USC Emeriti College, giving highly attended lectures. He was an involved parent and grandparent, providing a role model for everyone by remaining physically and mentally active. He played tennis six times a week until the age of 84, and completed the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle in ink every week. He loved opera and classical music, and read avidly and widely.
David was also a charismatic storyteller, often entertaining audiences of family, colleagues, students and friends, and he loved amusing his grandchildren.
After Marien's death in 2000, David found new happiness with Joan Neild Banes. They married on his 80th birthday in 2007. He is survived by her and his two children, their spouses Melanie Mars and Jim Naphas, and three grandchildren, Daniel and Katie Naphas, and Montana Mars.
David was respected and loved by all who knew him, and will be deeply missed. His remains will be cremated following his wishes, and a later memorial will celebrate his life.