It is with great sadness that we wanted to let you know that our friend and IREJN’s Treasurer, Mark Naigles, passed away suddenly at his home on Thursday, December 30, 2021. Mark joined the IREJN Board as Treasurer in 2018, where he applied his love of math and finances, as well as his incredible attention to detail, to IREJN’s work. More than just bookkeeping assistance, however, Mark brought a great spirit and cheerfulness to IREJN and he was instrumental in helping implement several programs, such as the community garden at the Muhammad Islamic Center of Greater Hartford, pictured below.
Mark served as president of Beth El Congregation of Storrs-Mansfield for 10 years and the Treasurer of Boy Scout Troop 223 for 4 years. He was a beloved math professor at Nichols College and at UConn. He began teaching at Nichols College in 2003 and innovated courses in Actuarial Mathematics and Algebra for Business. At UConn, Mark taught Problem Solving for over 15 years, receiving the Institute for Teaching and Learning Outstanding Adjunct Award in 2011. Mark was an enthusiastic math tutor to hundreds of students, from 3rd graders to graduate level.
Mark met his wife, Letty, in college and they have two children, Gregory (now of Concord, NH,), and Beverly, (now of San Diego, CA.) Mark and Letty loved hiking, serving their community, watching Star Trek and Jeopardy!, and cooking and eating Turkish food. IREJN’s love and prayers go out to Letty, Gregory, Beverly, and everyone who knew and loved Mark. Donations in Mark’s memory may be made to Math for America (www.mathforamerica.org) or The Art of Problem Solving Initiative (www.artofproblemsolving.org/index.html
