Marcel “Marc” Willi Mayer, 71, husband of the late Vicki Mayer, of Waldorf, MD, passed away peacefully at his son’s home in Carbondale, Colorado on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019. Marc was born on March 14, 1947 in Vienna, Austria to Joseph Mayer and Henrietta Haas (Mayer). In 1949, the family immigrated from Austria to the United States, via Ellis Island, moving first to Chicago before settling in Los Angeles.
In 1966, Marc received a Congressional appointment and attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO from 1966-1970. He graduated with honors and earned a Bachelor Degree as well as a Commission as Officer in the United States Air Force. On June 14th, 1970, Marc married his fiance, Donna Caine (Mayer).
In 1973, they welcomed a son, David Keith, and in 1979, a daughter, Lisa Beth (McCarty). In 1970, they moved to Alamogordo, NM where Marc was a Maintenance Officer for F4 Phantom Jets. Prior to the end of the Vietnam War, he was stationed in Thailand.
In 1974, the family moved to Washington D.C. where Marc proudly served as Commander of the United States Presidential Air Force Honor Guard from 1974 to 1977. During his tenure in the Honor Guard, he led White House welcoming ceremonies for President Gerald Ford at Andrews Air Force Base and visiting Heads of State, Military Honors at Arlington Cemetery, as well as the Inauguration for President Jimmy Carter. Marc was an avid student of American history, Presidential biographies, and nonfiction books.
In his lifetime he read over 5000 books. This passion led him to attend the Catholic University of America, where he received his Master’s Degree in Library Science while he was still proudly serving his country. After being Honorably Discharged from the Air Force in 1977, having attained the rank of Captain, he put his degree to use in working for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
On November 9th, 1984 Marc married Vicki Emerson Mayer, his soulmate and the love of his life. Their marriage blended two families, which blessed Marc with two additional children, Jenifer (Shelton) and David (Rosenberg). Marc and Vicki lived and loved for 21 amazing years in their home in Waldorf, MD, until Vicki’s passing in 2005.
For several decades following, Marc worked in the IT industry and led technical sales teams to great success. He officially retired in 2012. Family meant everything to Marc.
He was a kind, adoring, and generous husband, father, and grandfather; as well as a dear friend to many. The world has lost a truly genuine soul and man of the highest integrity. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his four children, son David Mayer and wife Jaelin of Carbondale, CO, daughter Jenifer Shelton and husband Robert of Charleston, SC, son David Rosenberg and wife Brianna of Broomfield, CO, and daughter Lisa McCarty and husband Ryan of Arlington, VA; seven grandchildren, Madelin, Christopher, Lexi, Ella, Lacey, Tucker, and Noah; niece Rebecca Martin and nephew Daniel Sondheim; and Uncle Harry Sondheim; in addition to many friends and colleagues. Marc was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister (Branka), and wife (Vicki Mayer). A memorial service with Military Honors will be held at St Paul’s Piney Church Cemetery at 4535 Piney Church Road in Waldorf, MD at 1 pm on Friday, March 15th, 2019.
All those who knew and loved Marc are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Battlefield Trust, Marc’s favorite non profit, which preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Marcel “Marc” Willi Mayer please visit our Sympathy Store.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
