John R. Mars was remembered as a "true Culver hero," and a modest man who would blanch at that title. Mars, 92, the 10th Superintendent of Culver Academies, died Friday, Aug. 26, in Florida with his family at his side.

Over a two-day period August 31 and September 1, Mars was remembered by Chairman Emeritus James A. Henderson '52, Head of Schools John N. Buxton, and Humanities instructor Bill Roth '63 as the consummate Man of Culver, even though he didn't graduate from the school.

As Roth said in addressing students, faculty, and staff during the Aug. 31 all-school meeting, "Although you may have never known John Mars, you know his spirit, and it is indeed, the spirit of Culver."

The news of Mars passing was felt far and wide throughout the extended Culver community, as Mars touched an unbelievable number of lives during his more than 40 years of service to the Academies. There is not a single place at Culver where his legacy is not evident.

He joined Culver Military Academy in 1941, fresh out of Brown University, as a Spanish and French instructor as well as a coach. He left briefly in 1943 to serve his country during World War II with the U.S. Army's 10th Armored Division. He resumed his duties at Culver in 1944.

Later, as CMA began its transition from adult tactical officers to counselors – which was not just a change in name but also one of focus as Culver sought to continue its mission of educating the whole student – he became the counselor for Battery B, one of the many times he was a pivotal figure in a time of great change at Culver.

But despite the great work he had done already at Culver, it was the 1970s where he made his greatest mark. Once again, it was a time of great change at Culver as well as in the nation and the world.

Culver was also dealing with great internal struggle and dissent. Henderson said the Board of Trustees asked Mars to be the next superintendent – a position he did not want but accepted. It was his leadership that made students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff all proud to be a part of Culver.

"It was his relationships with people that made John successful. He cared and cared deeply about each person associated with Culver – alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and employees. He made time to spend with each who needed it – at the expense of any semblance of private time or rest," Henderson said in his eulogy at the September 1 funeral service in Memorial Chapel.

"Students had a special call on John's time. Culver Girls Academy was in its infancy, and John embraced CGA totally and equally and helped it prosper.

"I don't believe there was a student here who didn't feel John's care and concern about her or him as an individual. They respected him and, more important, trusted him and recognized his great compassion," he added.

That sentiment was echoed in an alumnus's letter that Buxton read at the all-school meeting: "He believed in all of us."

Throughout his more than 40-year tenure Mars was always the teacher, coach and counselor – regardless of his position at the time – and he distinguished himself as an exemplar in all three roles.

"John was special," Buxton said in his remarks. "He lived the Culver Code of Conduct every day."

Buxton said Mars' impact on Culver can be seen in the honors that bear his name. There is the John Mars Award for the student who best exemplifies the ideals of Culver, the John Mars Award for Excellence in Teaching, two classes have created separate John Mars scholarships for students, and the southeast section of the library is The Mars Wing.

Henderson finished his eulogy with a simple, emphatic statement.

"John Mars was one of Culver's greatest heroes."

Mars was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis. He is survived by two sons, Anthony "Tony" Mars '67 (Kim) and Dr. J. Peter "Pete" Mars '69 (Brennan).

Contributions can be made to the John and Phyllis Mars Scholarship fund in care of the Culver Academies, 1300 Academy Rd. #153, Culver, IN 46511. You can also leave your memories about John Mars on Culver's special Facebook page.