Mark B. Severs, a man of honor, intelligence, integrity & generosity died peacefully at home with family on November 12, 2024 in Lebanon, NH. Born in 1946 in Elyria, Ohio he was the eldest of the four children of Carol B. Severs & G. Lawrence Severs. He grew up in Oberlin, Ohio. Following a BA in English from Kalamazoo College, Mark earned a Masters in English Literature from the University of Rochester. He then studied law & earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida College of Law where he met his wife, Nancie. They were married in 1977.

Mark & Nancie first lived in Fort Lauderdale, FL where Mark quickly became a successful planning & zoning attorney. Their three sons, Aaron, Noah & David were born in Fort Lauderdale. As the children became of school age, Mark & Nancie decided to move to Hanover, NH to raise their family in a small college town similar to Oberlin.

In addition to becoming licensed members of the NH & VT Bar Associations, Mark became a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and joined the predecessor firms of Morgan Stanley as a Wealth Management Consultant remaining with the same firm for 25 plus years before retiring in 2018. As founder of the Hanover Group at Morgan Stanley, Mark treasured advising his clients “who became his friends”, always guided by the highest ethical & fiduciary responsibility in their interests.

Mark & Nancie lived in Hanover, NH from 1989-2010 when they moved to Lebanon, NH. Mark served the Town of Hanover as Trustee of Trust Funds & as a member of the Hanover Planning Board. He also served as Treasurer of the Grafton County United Way.

Growing up in Oberlin, Mark discovered his love of sports. He played tennis & basketball in high school, before devoting his skill development solely to tennis. At OHS he won the district championship at least twice and played in the Ohio High School State Championship. Mark continued to play tennis his entire life, winning the Bronze Ball (3rd) in the 1996 National Clay Court Championship for players 50 & over, achieving a ranking of #10 in the USA in that age division. He was always a highly competitive USTA Senior Player at the local, regional and national levels. Mark was a member of Our Court, The Norwich Racquet Club and The Boss Center and had many friends in the Upper Valley tennis community. In July, 2023 he was competitive in a NE tournament just weeks before he was diagnosed with the non-small cell lung cancer, that would ultimately end his life.

Kindred souls from the time they met in a legal ethics class, Mark & Nancie embarked on their life of 46 plus years together without regret. Mark embraced parenthood with joy & took great comfort in seeing the responsible adults his sons have become. He adored his grandsons. Of necessity, Nancie became a passionate fan of tennis & Mark of “off the beaten path adventure travel” with Nancie. Being together enriched each of their lives.

After retiring from Morgan Stanley, in addition to traveling for tennis as a player & fan, Mark & Nancie explored Hawaii, Peru & Machu Picchu, the Galapagos & Belize, Thailand & Myanmar. Always inquisitive, reading & learning, Mark valued his Osher classes, especially while home during the pandemic.

Mark is survived by his wife, Nancie, sons, Aaron Severs (Megan), Noah Severs & David Severs (Sarah) & his three grandchildren, Terran, Wesley & William Severs. Also his siblings, Eric Severs (Cyn), Drew Severs (Laurie), & Kayo Peeler & many loved nieces & nephews.

A funeral service will be held at Kol Ha’emek, the Upper Valley Jewish Community on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 10:00 AM at the Roth Center for Jewish Life at Dartmouth where Mark & Nancie have been members for 35 plus years. Burial will follow at Pine Knoll Cemetery in Hanover. A Memorial Service & Celebration of Mark’s Life will be held in July, 2025 to enable extended family, friends & clients to share stories & pay respects during a weekend honoring Mark’s incredible life.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Mark’s memory may be made to the Friends of Osher Lifelong Learning Center at Dartmouth, the Upper Valley Jewish Community, or a charity of choice.

 

View/Sign Guestbook