Mark Joseph Verhoff

Our world will feel the loss of brilliant light from this intelligent, creative, funny, empathetic, and loving man (and handsome, if we may say so as family). His passion for music, 3D graphics modeling, geography, and philosophy was infectious, and we always enjoyed his kitchen creations. Mark had a decades-long struggle in life. He could be too smart for his own good and found it more difficult than most to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. He struggled with poor mental health and addiction, which can easily go hand-in-hand. He persevered with an innate personal courage, the love of his family, and the hope that the world could learn to better care for those with similar struggles. He found an avenue towards both making these hopes a reality for his community and personal career fulfillment in his role as SOAR's (Safety, Outreach, Autonomy, Respect) very first outreach community liaison.

We invite all to support their work to end the cycle of disease, poverty, over incarceration, under treatment, non-evidenced based medicine, and death. He was a graduate of New Albany High School and The Ohio State University. He is survived by his parents, Tom and Tammy Verhoff; sisters Molly Verhoff and Julie (Jay) Pipes; extended family; many friends; and many beloved pets - we will always love and miss you.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Sunday, October 1st at Shadblow Shelter House in Blendon Woods Metro Park, 4265 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43081, beginning at 4:30pm (please check back to confirm time as we get closer to the date of the memorial - time is still subject to change approx. 30min earlier or later).

For those looking to honor Mark’s memory, donations to The SOAR Initiative (https://donorbox.org/support-soar) will help others in need.