Mark Paulsen

Mark Richard Paulsen, age 62 years, husband, stepfather, brother, honorable veteran, electrician, and astronomer died peacefully Monday morning, August 31, 2020 at his home in Niles, Michigan following an extended illness.  His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the staff of Caring Circle Hospice at Home.

He was born on July 8, 1958 in Plymouth, Indiana to Richard F. and Mary (Vendl) Paulsen.  He was graduated from South Bend (Indiana) Riley High School,  continued his education at Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana), and earned as Associate’s Degree in electronics from Indiana’s Ivy Tech system.  He joined the United States Air Force, served a full tour of duty using his aptitude in electronics to maintain computers, and was Honorably Discharged during peacetime.

After returning home, Mark was employed at Electro-Voice, Incorporated in Buchanan, Michigan repairing studio sound equipment.  He was later employed by AT&T, continuing his electronics career.

In addition to electronics, Mark enjoyed astronomy, was able to identify most of the planets, stars, and constellations in the night sky, and could apply latitude, longitude, and elevation coordinates to his telescope to identify distant and dim stars.  He traveled with his wife on cruise ships along both the east and west coasts, the Caribbean, and a Panama Canal passage, enjoying the wonders of the night sky while on the ocean.

On June 16, 2001 on the bridge in Leeper Park in South Bend he married the former Sandra Sue Vanderboegh with whom he recently celebrated the nineteenth anniversary of their wedding.  Not surprisingly, his wedding present to his bride was the official designation of a star to bear her name.

Mark is survived by his wife, Sandra Paulsen and her children, Jenny (& William) Skalla of Niles and Jason (& Christine) Robertson of Monroe, Michigan; grandchildren Kylie, Macy, Blake, Ryleigh, and Raylen; and Mark’s sisters, Kathy Hill of South Bend, Marcia (& John) Marshall of Jenison, Michigan, and Michelle Paulsen of Portland, Oregon; and several nieces and nephews.

The family of Mark Paulsen is gathering privately to share memories and honor his life.  Contributions in memory of Mark may be made to Caring Circle Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, Saint Joseph, Michigan, 49085; https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/caring-circle/ .  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Mark was known to be a quiet man who enjoyed being home with his wife.  But his military service, his proficiency in electronics, and fascination with the universe all bore evidence of a mind well used and a life well lived; a testimony to all who knew him.