Mark Robert von Sternberg

Mark Robert von Sternberg died peacefully on May 16, 2023, having received the last rites of the Catholic Church. He was the loving husband of Haydée Díaz Camacho von Sternberg, his wife of 47 years. A resident of Park Slope, Brooklyn, he was born in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Jule Robert von Sternberg and Dorothy Iva (Braham) von Sternberg. He was 77 years old.

Mark graduated from St. Paul's School in Garden City, NY, attended Monkton Combe School near Bath, UK, and received a B.A. from Columbia College, a J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law, and an LL.M. in International Legal Studies from New York University School of Law.

After briefly working with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in his family business, Mark joined Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. as Supervising Attorney. Later, he served as Senior Attorney with Catholic Charities Community Services/Archdiocese of New York, where he concentrated on litigation before the Immigration Courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals. He was also an adjunct faculty member at Pace University School of Law, where he taught general immigration and comparative refugee law, and at St John's University School of Law, where he co-taught an immigrants' and refugees' rights clinic.

Mark lectured in law schools and professional associations regarding immigration matters and wrote extensively, particularly in the areas of refugee law, international humanitarian law, and human rights. He was the author of "The Grounds of Refugee Protection in the Context of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law" (2002), a treatise on the definition of refugees as applied in the United States and Canada. From 2009 to 2012, he was chair of the Immigration and Naturalization Committee of the American Bar Association's International Law Division. In 2017, he received the Excellence in International Migration Scholarship Award from The Center for Migration Studies. In 2022, he received the American Immigration Lawyers Association Pro Bono Award and, posthumously, the Public Service Award from the Catholic Migration Service.

In his profession, he was recognized as an accomplished lawyer who worked tirelessly for those most in need, as well as a brilliant scholar, author, lecturer, and professor who mentored students beyond the classroom. Many students remember the often hilarious 'war stories' that provided important, hard-won lessons from his years of experience, and quoted one of his favorite sayings about the immigration bar: 'Never a dull moment.' Yet the first thing everyone mentioned was his kindness. "His kindness was truly his superpower." Proof of the affection and devotion he inspired, one of his students, who later became a colleague and co-taught with him, compiled a book of tributes from immigration judges, lawyers, and students, titled "Mark von Sternberg, Esq." A Legacy of Humanity and Kindness."

Mark will be remembered as one-of-a-kind, 'the last true gentleman', who was endlessly cheerful and gracious. Impeccably dressed and always with a hat that he removed whenever he came inside or greeted someone on the sidewalk. He knew his style and he knew himself. Everyone remarked on his prodigious vocabulary. He would start to spell his name, "V as in 'valedictorian', O as in 'ostentatious', N as in 'nebulous'…. A large dictionary always lay open on the living room table. He found his vocation as an immigration lawyer and professor and collected ALL the books and videos of John Mortimer's Horace Rumpole. When his older grandson asked him why he became an attorney, Poppa answered, "I wanted to help people."

Yet the aspect of his soul his family will most remember was his unconditional love. He was an endlessly proud and supportive husband, father, and grandfather. He delighted in our accomplishments and was amused and forgiving of our foibles.

He is survived by his wife, his son Mark Philip, (Denise), grandsons Dylan and Kieran, and sister Julie von Sternberg Earle. A Mass of Christian Burial was concelebrated at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Brooklyn on May 22, 2023, by Most Rev. Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop Emeritus of Brooklyn, and Rev. Mons. Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, Rev. William G. Smith, Pastor of St Charles Borromeo Church, and Rev. Frank C. Tumino, Pastor of St Augustine-St. Francis Xavier Parish.

The Burial took place on July 5, 2023, at Greenfield Cemetery in Uniondale, NY, with Rev. Michael Perry and attended by the immediate family and friends.

Contributions in Mark's memory may be made to Catholic Migration Services, https://catholicmigration.org/donatenow/; and Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services, https://catholiccharitiesny.org/.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.josephgduffy.com for the von Sternberg family.