Alexander T. Mak

Educator, lifelong learner, dearest uncle, endless friend, beloved son and husband, Alexander T. Mak passed away Tuesday June 4th, 2024, with the unwavering love of his wife Caroline at his side.

Born June 1st, 1963, the son of Tibor and Rose Mak, Alex grew up in greater Cleveland, where he developed a yearning for science and a love of forever learning. It was that love which led him to the University of Toledo in the fall of 1981, where he entered as a student of astronomy. He followed the stars of his own path, taking first a job as a night security guard along with his best friend Ron Ley. UT would remain steadfast in his life from those early days forward. It was a proud moment when he ultimately retired after nearly 40 years as the Associate Director of The Ritter Planetarium & Brooks Observatory and long time member and award recipient of the Great Lakes Planetarium Association in 2021. Along the way, Alex touched many lives, helped to shape careers and develop young minds, always fostering friendships that would become lifelong connections as true as family. Dearest to him were those he shared his love of science and the planetarium with, including Heidi Westrick, Jesica Trucks, Waylena McCully, Michael Cushing, Lawrence Anderson-Huang, and countless others.

An awkward first date in the spring of 1996 would change him forever, as he met and fell in love with Caroline, and started another of life’s crazy journeys. Married in the fall of 1998, Alex was welcomed to a family who loved him, challenged him, and embraced him as son, brother, and confidant. Caroline & Alex’s adventurous life together celebrated every moment with time together and travel around the globe. He taught her a love for all things Indians baseball, and they attended many home openers together, no matter how cold it was! Adventurous spirits and a passion to see the world took them many places together. They touched 11 countries and 49 states amidst their adventures, sharing the thrills of dune buggies, dog sleds, parasailing, bear hiking, ATV rides in the rainforest, train trips across the alps, spinning every roulette wheel they could find and of course basking at the beach with a banana daiquiri in hand. Their love for travel is second only to their love of their Rottweiler baby, “Lexi”.

Among his most important adventures is one he likely never expected. It would challenge and highlight his natural strength to teach, foster lifelong learning, and develop young minds when he welcomed first a nephew and then a niece. Beloved Uncle to Dylan and Isabelle, he shared himself, his love of science,and his pragmatic approach to life. Alex always gave to them an ear willing to listen without judgment and a mind willing to explore all possibilities together. It was this mindset that fostered a shoulder to lean on, a mind to bounce off of, and a heartfelt conversation to remind them they could do anything with the right education.

Alex never stopped learning and pushing his peers, friends, and loved ones to do the same. A man with a love for science, math, and history, he loved to experience what life had to offer.

Alex is preceded in death by his Father Tibor Mak, and his Father-In-Law Terry Conway. Celebrating him and his memory remains wife Caroline Mak, Mother Rose Mak, Mother-In-Law Regina Conway, Sister-in-Law Cynthia (Tom) Jacobs, nephew Dylan Etten, niece Isabelle Etten and best friend Ronald (Diane) Ley.

Those who would like to join the celebration of his life are welcome to the visitation to be held at Walker Funeral Home on Friday evening June 14th from 6pm-8pm and Saturday June 15th from 1pm to 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to either the family education fund for Dylan & Isabelle or to The Ritter Planetarium here: https://gofund.me/fcbdf949 A service will be held on Saturday at 2pm at Walker Funeral Home.