Marc Vanderhaar Simon, 61, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in Bowling Green, Ohio on December 5, 2024, following a brain hemorrhage. He is survived by Maria, his wife of 36 years, three children: Anne-Marie (Zach), Genevieve, and Martin; as well as his brother, John-Paul Simon (Asha), and mother, Maria Porter. Marc was born in South Bend, Indiana on August 23, 1963, to Maria and Anthony Simon. He graduated from John Adams High School in 1981. Marc attended Indiana University, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Mathematics in 1985 and Ph.D. in Political Science in 1991.
Marc was Associate Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at Bowling Green State University. He served as Coordinator of Peace and Conflict Studies and faculty advisor for the International Relations Organization and Model United Nations. From 1990 to 2024, Marc taught courses on international relations, foreign policy, peace studies, and conflict resolution. His research examined war and political violence, nonviolence, conflict resolution, economic sanctions, and environmental policy. He took the BGSU Model United Nations teams to Chicago and New York since 2000, taking over from his colleague and dear friend, Curtis Peet. He helped to create the Model United Nations Club at Bowling Green High School in the early 2000s. Marc taught twice at the University of Salzburg in Austria in 1998 and in 2007. He received a Fulbright Lecturing Award in 2008 and served as Visiting Professor of International Relations at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, Austria.
Marc deeply valued family. He was most proud of his three kids and strove above all else to be a kind, patient, and supportive father. Marc embodied the spirit of giving to your kids better than what you were given. He loved his in-laws and remained connected to his extended family in France, Louisville, Memphis, and Washington D.C. Marc kept his French language skills sharp and enjoyed reunions and visits to Paris, Cherbourg, and Allinges.
Marc was a dedicated teacher and mentor. He was considerate and thoughtful, always willing to discuss current events and politics, and curious about others’ perspectives. He enjoyed a lively political debate, but would reliably bring a more even-tempered perspective. Marc was frequently called upon to speak on international issues on local and regional television and radio stations. He volunteered on multiple national and local political campaigns, protested against the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and advocated for the closure of Guantanamo Bay. He was committed to peace and active nonviolence.
Marc loved sunshine, riding his bike on the Slippery Elm Trail, playing golf, especially on New Year’s Day, walking in Wintergarden Park, skiing in the Austrian Alps, growing vegetables in the backyard, and hiking in National Parks. He loved buckeye trees and grew several from seed. He was a yearly member of the BG Public Pool since 1992 and eagerly jumped into any body of water– the ice cold Atlantic ocean at Le Becquet with his French cousins, the waves at Lake Michigan, and the pool in Evian, France, diving from the 10 meter platform. As a child, he loved playing hockey on his neighborhood “lagoon.” He was famous among close friends for his 1 and a ½ flip off of the high dive at the BG Pool.
Marc pitched Little League baseball in childhood, through high school, and with Post 50 American Legion during college. He continued as an adult with the Mid-American Masters Baseball League in Toledo. Marc coached his kids’ t-ball, softball and Little League teams.
Marc was an enthusiastic supporter of the Black Swamp Arts Festival and made fabulous tye-dye T-Shirts every single year. Marc was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, the Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green, the Democratic Party of Wood County, and BG Town and Gown. He supported the faculty union at BGSU.
Gone far too soon, Marc leaves behind a great legacy of unconditional love for his family, a body of work on the power of peace, and a passion for education and advocacy for students.
His family wishes to thank all of the staff of the Neuro ICU at ProMedica Toledo Hospital and the Bridge Hospice in Bowling Green for their coordinated and compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, his family suggests a donation in memory of Marc to the BGSU Foundation International Studies Program Fund or to the Wood County District Public Library Foundation.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 3:00– 7:00 PM at Dunn Funeral Home, 408 W. Wooster St. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, December 19 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 150 S. Enterprise St. Bowling Green, Ohio, with Father Tom McQuillen officiating. Internment will take place at a later date at Cedar Grove Cemetery on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.
