Remembering Marc Lederman (1960-2016)

Marc Lederman mugshot

American Mensa lost a character — and a bit of its personality — with the passing of longtime member Marc Lederman. He died Saturday at the age of 56. His passions for game-playing and the craft of magic were matched by his intense dedication to making Mensa a better place for all of its members.

Everyone who joins Mensa should have a Marc Lederman. He proctored my test in 2003 and he was the first person I contacted when I got the good news that I was in. … Marc and I just hit it off right out of the gate. Anyone who knew him, knows that Marc loved to shock you with some of the things he said. The key to friendship with Marc was not being afraid to call him on that. I could tell he liked that. He was like a big brother, always looking out for me when we attended Mensa gatherings and encouraging me to get involved.

As our friendship grew, we would travel together. … Life on the road with Marc was a unique experience. We weren’t exactly Hope and Crosby but we accumulated some good stories. Marc loved lists. One year in New Orleans we kept lists of every bar we visited for an adult beverage — the rule was one drink in each establishment. I can’t bring myself to tell you the total number!

Marc and I emailed each other almost every day from our offices. The workday is going to seem awfully long without a random note from Marc complaining about some free agent sports signing or asking me if I had seen the previous night’s episode of The Walking Dead.

Everyone should have a Marc Lederman and not just in Mensa. I’ll miss him terribly, but I am so very grateful that I was able to pass that test back in 2003 and get to know him. Thirteen years wasn’t nearly long enough though. Big brothers are supposed to be around longer than that.

— Brad Christman

“He was a character. He was one of a kind,” said longtime friend Brian Reeves. With Marc, Reeves recalled, it was all about the demeanor. “He didn’t say a lot of funny things, but he said a lot of things funny.”

Another longtime friend, Brad Christman, remembered: “Marc was a big believer in the theory that you get out of Mensa what you put into it.” And Marc put that theory into practice. At the time of his death, he was serving on his 13th Annual Gathering Committee, this time as Chair.

Marc joined Mensa in 1992, a decade after graduating from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering. He later went on to become a software developer at DNV GL.

Marc served on American Mensa’s Board of Directors as a Regional Vice Chair, Secretary, Membership Officer and Communications Officer, as well as on numerous committees. A Life Member with Central Pennsylvania Mensa, Marc’s local group service included roles as LocSec, Treasurer, Membership Officer, Newsletter Editor and Proctor.

Marc was serious about his dedication to Mensa, and that commitment was reflected in the recognition he received over the years. He was a four-time recipient of the Chairman’s Service Award and received the National Service Award in 2013.

An avid games player and collector (he owned more than 800 games), Marc also was an award-winning magician. He lived on an eight-acre farm with his wife and fellow Mensan, Joy, and an assortment of animals.

In lieu of flowers, it was Marc's wish that donations be made in his memory to the Mensa Education & Research Foundation.