Mark Douglas Montanus

Mark Douglas Montanus of Litchfield Park, Arizona, passed away on March 13, 2017, at the age of 88. Mark was born on May 20, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. Mark loved traveling and camping in his RV, sailing his boat on Lake Pleasant, Lake Mead, Lake Powell, and the ocean around San Diego. He enjoyed photography and woodworking and made many gifts and toys for family and friends. Mark was drafted into the army in 1950 and served in Germany playing in an army band. He earned bachelors and master’s degrees from Northern Illinois University and taught music to K – 12 students for six years. After moving to AZ, he took a corporate job until 1965, when he accepted a founding faculty position in the Business Dept. at Glendale Community College. In the 1980s he became involved in teaching computer classes and created an entirely new educational method called Open Entry/Open Exit; students start and finish computer classes on their own schedule using self-paced materials he created. This learning method proved so successful that Mark was named director of a new High Tech Center. He wrote many textbooks to support this learning style and was named Innovator of the Year two times. He retired in 2006 after having taught K – 12, community college, university, graduate school, and conducting many workshops for teachers. Mark recently completed writing Captain of The Ship, a book to help people live a successful life (published by Balboa Press.) Mark is survived by his wife Charlotte of 37 years; son Mark Montanus Jr. (Lori) Montgomery, IL; daughter Jennifer Montanus, Litchfield Park, AZ; son Andrew Montanus (Amy), Cary, NC; stepdaughter Karen Anderson (Jim), Litchfield Park, AZ; stepdaughter Jill Friedman, Phoenix, AZ; stepson Paul Friedman (Sandra), Goodyear, AZ; stepdaughter Beth Charney (Steve), Glendale, AZ; stepdaughter Brenda Nottingham (Greg), Gilbert, AZ; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on April 1, 2017 at 3:00 P.M., at The Church at Litchfield Park. The address is: 300 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park, Arizona 85340. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to: Open Arms Home for Children at P.O. Box 2198, Litchfield Park, Arizona 85340.