Theodore Marcus “Marc” Gergen, Jr., aged 70 of Mesa, Arizona and formerly of Des Moines, Iowa and Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away on December 27, 2022, after a short illness. 

Marc was born January 10, 1952, in Des Moines Methodist Hospital, the third child of parents Theodore Marcus Gergen Sr. and Barbara Cox. Marc lived in Des Moines until 1987, when he moved to Michigan.

Marc graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in 1970 and entered the workforce. He began to work for Northwestern Bell Systems in 1972, starting as a telephone pole lineman. Eventually Marc worked his way into a promotion to business systems management prior to his retirement in 2002 after 30 years with Avaya, AT&T, Lucent Technologies, and Northwestern Bell. After retirement from Avaya, Marc worked for 12 years at DTE Energy as a contractor and employee. 

Outside of work, Marc was known for several of his hobbies. He was a licensed Ham Radio operator from the age of 11, working for groups of amateurs in Iowa, Michigan, and Arizona. He worked as a volunteer weather spotter in Iowa, was treasurer of a relay group in Michigan, and worked with CERT (Civilian Emergency Response Teams) that helped FEMA and other government agencies when coordinating and responding to local emergencies. 

When possible, Marc would spend as much time as he could outdoors. Anywhere that he could fish, you would usually find him with a pole in his hand and a few choice curse words for the stumps and rocks he would inevitably snag with his hook. He would hunt all manner of birds, pheasants, and deer in the Fall and early winters.

Marc was a beneficiary of organ transplants, receiving a much-needed kidney transplant In December 2020. He devoted much of his time after the transplant to advocating for organ transplant education and registration amongst his family and friends. He never forgot his Christmas Miracle and the kidney that expanded his life. 

Marc is survived by his wife Dorothy and three children Jamie (Donna), Robb (Dawn), and Wendy, his sisters Bobbi and Linda, and two grandchildren Grant and Evan. He is preceded in death by his mother and father (Barbara and Ted Sr.) and sister (Kathy). 

             Marc’s celebration of life is being held at Stroo Funeral Home at 1095 68th Street SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 from 4-7 pm.