Richard Sargon Marcus

Richard (Dick) S. Marcus was a brilliant, kind man who dedicated his life to making the world a better place. As a scientist at MIT for over 40 years, as a husband for 54 years, as a father for 65 years, and as a beautiful member of our world for 93 years, Dick achieved his goal. Through his research, philanthropy, leadership in civil rights, and his impact on his children, grandchildren and the extended family around him, the work of promoting a safe, respectful community goes on.

Dick grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Central High as captain of the tennis team in 1950. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, and then went to grad school at MIT. After a short stint in the private sector, Dick returned to MIT as a research scientist in the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems, where he worked on the very early days of the internet, testing how humans interact with computers as they search for books and articles across our nation’s university libraries. He published numerous papers on the very beginnings of artificial intelligence, and worked with dozens of grad students who advanced his theories on their own. Dick retired from MIT in 1999, but kept up his studies on AI and his passionate advocacy for technology’s role in building a more just and peaceful society.

Dick and his tour de force wife Elsa (d. 2013) met and married in 1959, and had three children who were imbued with that same passion for doing what is best for all people. Children and grandchildren are: Scott Marcus, eldest son, his wife Maharani, and their children Rio and Adriana, Dr. John Marcus, his wife Anne Marie, and their children Livvy and Addy, and Tammy Jobe and her daughter Jessica Campbell, her husband Justin, and Dick’s great grandchildren, Ryland and Bennett. Dick is also remembered by his brother David.

Dick’s smile was contagious! In the last couple of years, he lit up his assisted living dining rooms with cheerful hellos and happy smiles, even when things were tough. Modeling his hopes for the world, Dick was always deeply concerned for others and would go out of his way to show kindness to all around him.

He loved watching birds. He loved classical music. He loved his salmon, and of course, the Sox. He loved talking about artificial intelligence (long before it became what it is today). He loved doing house projects, climbing up the ladder to clean the gutters or mow the lawn. He loved listening to his family tell stories of their own adventures, and he reveled quietly and humbly in their successes. But mostly, he loved his wife and their unique, unmitigated passion for all things fair and good. Elsa and Dick built a mishpoche (family) around them, from all walks of life in every way possible, and demonstrated that love truly knows no bounds!

For all who knew this quiet, gentle giant soul, may you carry his spirit of understanding one another better each day.

Services for Dick at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel will be private. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Union of Concerned Scientists or a peace-promoting charity of your choice may be made in his honor.