Mark Everett Van Buren
Mark Everett Van Buren was born on May 10, 1965, in Delaware, Ohio, to Paul E. Van Buren and the late Donna Lou (Nelson) Van Buren. Mark died from a sudden heart attack while out for a run. He is survived by his wife, Shari, and three sons, Andrew, Stephen, and Matthew; as well as his father, step-mother, Corinne, and siblings Lisa (Sue), Randy (Lisa), and Gene (Marie), as well as two nieces and a nephew.
He and his family have been active members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, hosting weekly bible studies and social events at their home. Mark will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and community. He served in numerous lay positions in the church, singing for many years in the contemporary worship band, and most recently as lay leader, touching many lives with his broad knowledge of the Bible, enduring faith, and persistent striving to strengthen believers in their journey of seeking God’s Truth.
From a young age, Mark excelled at sports, academics, and as a community volunteer. After graduating as valedictorian at Big Walnut High School in Ohio, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at the University of Dayton, followed by a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was formerly employed by SHL, Gartner, CEB, and ASTD. As an industry leader and director of research, he became an internationally recognized speaker and writer, having authored more than 50 articles, reports, and books. Recently, he established his own company, Ideas to Insights Inc., offering consulting services to cultivate workplace talent and growing business executives. Mark co-authored the highly acclaimed book “Learning Analytics: Measurement Innovations to Support Employee Development”, which focused on aligning training with business needs.
A celebration of life for Mark will be held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Collingwood Rd. on Friday, January 3, at 11:00 am. A reception will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Aldersgate UMC’s 2020 Capital Campaign, which Mark was working on before his death.
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