After receiving my degree in geology from USF, I took additional classes in Advanced Hydrology.  I was very fortunate to have Dr. Stewart as my professor for these 2 courses.  He was an amazing professor who inspired me to become a better student and scientist.  I also worked with him on several hydrogeologic and geophysical projects through the years and was impressed with his professionalism and enthusiasm on these projects.  He helped me immensely and I was indebted for his guidance and help.  He was, by far, the best professor I ever had at USF.

I was greatly saddened by the news of Mark's passing. 

He was my graduate advisor - his 1st graduate student I believe. He was right out of college and a godsend to me. I, on the other hand decided to go back to college when my children started school. I was a bit older than Mark and a little insecure. 

When it was time to begin my field work for my thesis, I expressed my doubts about my ability and Mark offered to accompany me. As we were working, a truck pulled up beside us and the driver commented on the good looking help. Mark replied that I was the boss; what a boost to my ego. 

One time I wasn't able to make it for a scheduled test so Mark allowed me to take it in his office as my daughters drew pictures at the desk.

 When in school, I was hired by the US Geological Survey who sponsored my thesis. Mark was hired as an advisor to the Survey so we occasionally worked together. On one of those occasions we were required to were booties (1 size fits all), which we soon abandoned because we tended to trip on them as they flopped around, toe to heel. We had  a good laugh over that. 

Thanks, in large part, to Mark's early encouragement, I continued working for the Survey until I retired in 1997 from headquarters in Reston, VA. While there I was editor of the National Summary on Wetlands and spent a year in the Director's office as representative for the Water Resources Devision.

I have fond memories of Mark. He will be sorely missed.

The first time I met MTE (Mark the Elder) it was in field camp. I was intimidated at first: here's this tall, extremely knowledgeable man who doesn't waste words. Before long it dawned on me that he was one of the nicest, most generous teachers I'd ever known. I savored every moment I had in his presence, and fortunately for me, that was a lot of moments. I got to take courses from him in graduate school, have him on my committee, and, possibly the best part, be his TA for Global Environmental Change. That gave me a HUGE excuse to tap on his door frequently, and he'd motion for me to sit down, and I would ask him all kinds of questions about climate change and science. The privilege of getting to "pick the brains" of such a brilliant mind was not lost on me, and I confess I probably took advantage of his kindness but I just had so many things I wanted his take on. He never made me feel like a nuisance, even when I was. I remember he always showed a slide of his son (from behind, sitting on a mountain top) in his classes, and he spoke with great pride about his son. And I remember he had a colossal tower of soda cans (some godawful soda, too, I can't remember which one), especially when he was working on a deadline. I remember if there was a big sinkhole disaster in the area he would always put his phone on silent. He was so witty, and he laughed so easily. Just being around him was a joy, and there are few people you can really say that about in this world. At his retirement party I loved seeing how deeply shared my feeling about him was--every single person spoke about him in the same way. My heart was heavy that night because I had a feeling it would be the last time I'd see him in person, and it was. Lucky for me, I got to email with him for years to come, getting to pick his brain and exchange jokes (a kitten image often accompanied bad news for the climate). I will never forget MTE. He enriched my life by his presence, and gave me faith in humanity. A LEGEND.

So very sorry to hear of Mark's passing.  I was hoping I might see him at the February 2026 Geology Alumni Society banquet.  I have very fond memories of Mark and the rest of the USF faculty from the 1980s.  Mark, Sam Upchurch, Len Vacher, and Myron Hayden helped to launch my career in hydrogeology and I have relied on many of the lessons I learned from them in the classroom, in the field, and during preparation/defense of my thesis.  Gone too soon, but remembered forever.

This is a great loss to the science of Florida hydrogeology.  I first met Mark in the early 1980s shortly after he joined USF.   He came to visit me at my office with Geraghty and Miller. We maintained our professional relationship through all the years of our careers. I always deeply appreciated his intuitive, capable, and practical approach to solving regional water resources problems. I remain impressed with the high quality of his students, some of whom came to work for me at Schreuder, Inc.
Respectfully, Peter Schreuder

Deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss.  It was such a privilege and honor to know and work with Mark.  He was the reason I chose to attend USF graduate school in the 1980s.  Without a doubt, Mark was the best college professor that I ever had.  He successfully prepared me and so many others to be successful professional hydrogeologists, whether his student went on to academia, government, industry or consulting.  He showed compassion, and a sincere interest in helping us grow to our fullest potential.  He used to talk about the generational lineage of the hydrogeology knowledge tree, especially as it relates to using conceptual, analog and computer models to understand groundwater flow.  It started with John Cherry, who mentored Mary Anderson, who mentored Mark at the University of Wisconsin.  Our class became the fourth generation.  He was also a leader in the field for using surface geophysics to solve  groundwater problems.  He was innovative  and an inspiration.  He will be missed, but his legacy and impact lives on for generations.

I imagine my favorite professor is now educating angels - mapping the heavens with the finest geophysical tools and making the clearest case to God for cleaner waters, smoother seas, and a kinder humanity.  Mark's wisdom was deep and humor disarming. O Captain my Captain what a blessing to know you, the light you shared, and the legacy you leave behind.

I am very sorry to learn of Mark’s passing.  Mark was hugely influential on me and my career, and was the main person responsible for me coming to USF.  I arrived at USF in August 1983 to pursue a Master’s Degree in geology, with a focus on hydrogeology.  I always enjoyed my interactions with Mark, and I found him to be a great teacher and role model.  Initially Mark was my academic advisor, and eventually became my thesis advisor.  At the time I thought of myself as a pretty good writer, having gotten through undergraduate school as a bit of a hot-shot student.  So, when I handed in the first draft of my thesis to Mark for review, I was pretty confident that it would breeze through with a maybe a few comments to address.  Boy was a wrong!  I was shocked when I saw the flood of red ink on pretty much every page of the draft.  My first reaction was something like “You gotta be kidding me!”  But, as I reviewed Mark’s comments, I found that all of his suggestions were very good, and they essentially showed me how to say the same thing but with far fewer words and far more efficiency.  It was an epiphany for me at the time.  I had been (very courteously) humbled, but came away a much better technical writer.  I carried this lesson forward through my 34-year career as an environmental consultant and took great pride in helping my work colleagues strive to improve their writing chops in the same way Mark had improved mine.  In a nutshell, he taught me how to write.  For that I’m eternally grateful.  Thank you Mark T. Stewart!

I was so sorry to hear of Mark's passing. I remember Mark the Elder as a wise and welcoming presence, walking the halls in his converse. I once went to talk to him about some issue I was having, he calmly talked me through it and I left feeling like someone had my back and that everything would work out. I don't even remember what the issue was, but I remember feeling so much better after talking with him. 

Mark was also on my master's thesis committee and I will never forget him and Chuck Connor debating each other during my defense. It was all good-natured and I happily sat back and watched the show. They both did manage to ask me some questions but quite a bit of the time was taken up by the two of them enjoying the discussion amongst themselves. 

He will truly be missed.

I had the privilege of serving as a TA for Mark’s Introduction to Oceanography class during 2011–2012. From that experience, I learned just how dedicated he was as an educator. His lectures filled a large classroom with over a hundred students, yet he made the course feel personal and engaging. Although he never required me to attend his classes, after sitting in once, I never wanted to miss another. One of the things I remember most fondly was his “brain break” segment—brief moments when he would share fascinating natural phenomena he had observed, often unrelated to the day’s topic, accompanied by light music. That small tradition made a lasting impression on me. Many years later, after I became a professor in New Jersey, I emailed him asking for his “brain break” slides. Not only did he respond warmly, but he even mailed me his entire jump drive. It was such a thoughtful gesture and meant a lot to me.
Mark also became the final member of my Ph.D. committee during a challenging period when I needed support. My Ph.D. journey stretched longer than expected and continued past his retirement, yet in December 2015, he still came to my defense. His insightful suggestions strengthened my work and helped shape the researcher I am today.
I remember our conversations about how groundwater-level changes influence beach erosion and many other coastal topics. I cherish the memory of Mark as an engaged teacher, a knowledgeable scholar, and a kind, generous person.
Mark made a real difference in my life, and I will always be grateful for his mentorship, kindness, and example.

I was saddened to hear of Mark's passing.  I worked with Mark at the University of South Florida.  We worked pretty closely on some projects around 2010 when I was still an untenured Assistant Professor.  Mark was a really great colleague and mentor -- he remains one of the people whose collaboration I have enjoyed the most in my 20 years at USF.  Mark was a very generous and selfless colleague, and also just a lot of fun to talk to.  I will miss him.  I hope Mark's family knows how much he was valued and respected by his USF colleagues.  He had a positive impact on USF, and he will be remembered very fondly.

Mark the Elder was my PhD advisor and incredible mentor. Along with Mark the Young, I was in good hands as a woman and a mother - taught and guided by individuals who valued the integrity and glory of science, but also, humanity. I am forever grateful to have known him. He undoubtedly touched and taught so many.

I came to USF in 2003 and had the pleasure of working closely with Mark for the last 11 years of his career and the first 11 of mine. He and I were at times inseparable – we did research together and taught together, including Hydrology Field Camp, a two-week field course we taught all day-every day every summer. Because I’m also a Mark, we needed distinguishing names, and we therefore became known as Mark the Elder and Mark the Younger, or MTE and MTY. We played our roles well, and we both told many geology jokes about MTE’s age. MTE loved to teach soils, an older passion and skill set which he’d learned at Cornell and Wisconsin but which he did not use much in his day-to-day research and teaching in Florida. Once, he was teaching soil taxonomy to our students in Hydrology Field Camp and sharing with the students his copy of the standard book, titled Keys to Soil Taxonomy, which at that time must have been on the 11th edition. He was relating that the framework had been invented in the mid-1960s, and that he remembered it happening and obtaining his very first copy of the 1st edition. He suddenly stopped, looked at me with that wry smile of his, and said, “Hey, I really am as old as dirt.”

Matt and family,

I was very fortunate to have your father as my professor and advisor in the late 90s and 2000's. His kindness and patience was well known in the classroom and the field, and he genuinely cared about our deep understanding and success. I owe so much to the thoughtful lessons and passion for good science that he instilled in me to this day. Wishing you all peace and comfort.

Dear Matt and Family,

Your father was my advisor at USF for much of the 1990s. He was kind, smart, and incredibly generous with his time. I am grateful for the encouragement he offered me, and for the example he set as a scientist and a person. His influence has stayed with me throughout my career, and I wouldn't be where I am today without his guidance. 

Matt, I met you several times when you were a child.  The last time I talked to your dad, he beamed with pride about your accomplishments.  Please know that I am holding you in my thoughts.

Dear Matt and family,
I started working with your dad  at USF in 1990.  Your dad was an amazingly kind person.  He was such a positive influence on everyone and the best boss I ever had.  He talked highly about you all the time.  We are sorry to hear of the loss of your parents.  Sending love and comfort at this difficult time.  ❤️ 
Lynn and Steve Wilkinson

Matt and family,  I worked with your dad for some wonderful years at USF.  Your dad was one of the most gentle spirited, kind people I have ever met. Unfortunately I never had the honor of meeting your mom.

We were just notified yesterday and all of the Geology faculty are absolutely heartbroken and devestasted.  We are sending out an announcement to the Geology Alumni, as your dad was a compass and guide to so many students. Slowly, the word is getting out and those that are reaching out to me are all saying the same good things.  I will never forget your Dad and the kindness with which he treated me.

Please, if you need anything or if we can help in any way, please call.  813-928-0665 

Also, the Geology faculty and alumni will likely be planning an event in your Dad's honor, likely at the Geopark on the USF Tampa campus.  If you would like to be part of our event, we would love to have you and your family there.  He really meant so much to so many.

OBITUARIO

Mark Thurston Stewart

27 abril, 1948 – 25 octubre, 2025

Beaches Chapel by Hardage-Giddens

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