Marc Smith Sacks

Marc was a coach for us for a while. Our clients seemed to really love him. He was easygoing and fun to talk with. Would have loved to have known him even better and longer. Was so surprised to find out about his death. Thoughts and prayers to his family. Lori Heffelfinger & James Jackman

Marc was my former employer and I have nothing but good words and praises for him during my employement. Beyond work, he was a great friend and a source of inspiration. There is so much humanity in him. My condolences to his family. He is a great loss. Marc, may you rest in peace.

I am so deeply saddened to learn about Marc's passing. I worked with him for 2 years before the pandemic and found him to be one of the kindest and most decent human beings I have ever encountered. Although I've never had the privilege of meeting him face to face, his quiet calm, intelligence, and kindness was apparent online. He often talked about his daughter, Cora, and you could tell he loved his family beyond anything. Marc was a good man and will not be forgotten. Sending light and healing to Allison and Cora.

My warm thoughts go to your family Marc, and to you if you can channel this somehow. I haven't known you very much other than in the multi-stakeholder collaboration study group sessions, but you always struck me with your kindness, compassionate heart, generous vision of better relationships at work and in life, creative ways to look at things and relentless curiosity to push the next frontier. I am sure you are deeply missed by your colleagues and partners, let alone your folks. I hope that your legacy lives in on in all of us and I thank you for having inspired me in my own life and work too. Rest in peace

I am so very, very sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure to have known Marc (and you, Allison) while you lived in Jim's house in Lyons. I hope that your wonderful memories of him will ease your pain in time. Sending care and warmth out to you, Cora, and all of Marc's family and friends.

I was shocked and saddened to learn of Mark's passing. I'm so sorry for everyone's loss. I didn't know Mark very well - he was across the hall from me in our office building. We'd have passing conversations in the hallway or kitchen from time to time. We'd joke every so often about how we were the only ones who actually showed up to do business in our building. In our last chat, Mark was so happy and excited about his business and the new project he was in, and how every day at work was something he genuinely looked forward to. His passion for life, his family, his work, and the joy he got from climbing were so evident in his smile and how he talked about everything. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Allison and Cora, I am so sorry for your loss. Marc was a wonderful human and I will miss him dearly.

Dear Allison and Cora, I have been traveling all summer and received this news between trips and was totally shaken to tears immediately after reading the email. I had to go seek out my mom for a big hug as I just sobbed and sobbed. I have been thinking about both of you all summer, and have been waiting to be home to offer to take Cora out on some fun Nadia-Cora dates as I would just love to spend time with her. I cannot imagine the grief and shock this has been, or at least when I try, I am just overcome and it is a hard reality to swallow. I remember Marc for his friendliness, his kindness, his curiosity, and his love for Cora and Allison. I hope that you feel held as much as possible right now. I imagine this road of grief and healing will be along one but that there will be gifts along the way because Marc will send them, I have to believe in there being something given when so much is taken. I am so sorry. I know that words are just not enough but I want you to know much you have been on my heart and mind this summer. All my love, Nadia

I haven't been in touch with Marc for some years now, and just learned of this deeply saddening news today. I had the honer of having Marc as a personal coach back in 2008. He helped change my life in many brilliant ways. He was an incredibly solid, humble and gifted man...I think of him often and always will. My deepest condolences to you, Alison and Cora.

Dear Cora, I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. I heard he was a great person. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing when my mom read the message, she was speechless. When she told us my eyes filled up with tears for you. I’m thankful you were able to make great memories with him in this life. From, Auburn

Dear Allisosn and Cora, my heart goes all out for you. Marc's passing has surely left a space of many good memories to be treasured forever.

Dear Allison & Cora, I received this heartbreaking news with tears in my eyes and a catch in my breath. How could this possibly be true? I am deeply sorry for this tragic and unspeakable loss. I am holding both of you in my heart with warmth and compassion as you move through the grief and emptiness of losing your beloved partner and father. Marc was truly a bright light who brought kindness and generosity to everyone in his life. His absence will be felt by all who knew him, and I feel gratitude for each of the ways he touched our lives. Warmly, Flo

Dearest Allison and Cora, There are no words to express the grief of your loss, of the loss to all of us. Marc was a wonder, and his influence will continue in all that he touched. In such times, I try to remember that there is no loss unless there is love. I'm sure that for both of you this love will continue to shine.

I’ve only known Marc for a year through pacific edge climbing. I only started climbing this past year. I met Marc through another new friend Jake Miller. Marc was kind, encouraging, and personable. I was always impressed by how skilled but humble he was in climbing. He will be missed. We can have a hope in a glorious resurrection and reuniting.

As many have said, Marc was a truly special human. High empathy, brilliant, and so very giving of his time and wisdom. I worked with Marc for a short time at The People Piece and will never forget his kindness, encouragement and guidance. One of the things that stood out most was how much he honored his role as partner and father. He protected his time fiercely so he could be present for his family. Boundaries deeply rooted in love and values - He modeled that for me and I appreciate it so sincerely. I send so much love and hope for healing to Marc's dear family. 💛

Such a shock. I'm thinking of our beach bonfires at Davenport Landing and Easter brunch with Marc. I had imagined these times were closer to the beginning of our story, and would only get better as our daughters grew up together. Marc was such a joy to be around. I always looked forward to our gatherings when I knew Marc would be there. His stories about climbing inspired me to keep pursuing things I'm passionate about. He will be dearly missed.

Dear Allison and Cora, We are so deeply saddened. We are here with you in these early days and the long haul of grief. Marc was a great friend, such a kind soul, and beloved by so many. His passion for life was infectious and inspiring to those around him. Thinking of you every day and praying for peace and healing in your hearts. I recently came across a bench that said “Death leaves a sorrow no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.” May Marc’s memory be a light and comfort to you. 🕊️ With love, Nicole

We say in the Jewish community, “may his memory be a blessing.” There have been a handful of people I’ve known whose wisdom and spirit I draw on nearly every day to bring out the best in me. As we move through and past these initial days of shock and sadness, Marc is already one of them. What I remember from Marc and draw inspiration from: A big YES to life Welcoming feedback and breakdowns with amazing openness and curiosity Embracing the ambiguity and messiness and humanness of organizations and teams Positive ambition, the sort that lights everyone up with the power of possibility Fascination with learning and commitment to improve, always. Total delight in family Being guided in daily life by values Making time in life for what brings you so much joy What a blessing to have overlapped with Marc on this beautiful Earth.

I’ve had the great honour of knowing Marc for 15+ years and during that time, he’s been my trusted colleague, my courageous peer, my coaching and learning partner, my entrepreneurial cheerleader, my source of inspiration and above all, he’s been my cherished friend. His friendship has been a fixture in my life all these years. It felt as though Marc and I walked shoulder to shoulder through so many parts of our professional lives. We met through Newfield, then moved on to the Institute for Generative Leadership; we started at the Global Institute for Leadership Development (GILD) the same year and continued for 7 consecutive years; we started working as faculty for The Marcus Buckingham Company (TMBC) at the same time; we shared overlapping years as team members with The Coach Partnership (Newfield Asia) and we were learning partners in the Health & Wellness Coaching certification program. We collaborated on projects as independent entrepreneurs and coaches and we learned together, supported each other every step of the way. It made all these opportunities more comfortable, enjoyable, and interesting knowing that Marc was there, too. I remember being in awe of Marc’s honest and gentle nature. His sweet caring and calmness held comfortably along with an inner power that was grounding and absolute. Marc’s essence was strength with tenderness, clarity with kindness, confidence with humility. He was an incredible and upstanding human being. Marc was always the person I could reach out to for a boost of encouragement when I needed it. He could always find a wider perspective, a more generous interpretation, or he could come up with a whole world of possibilities when I would share my challenges, vulnerabilities, or uncertainties. He was reassuring, compassionate and always so willing to serve, to be a partner in conversation. Marc was one of the most committed learners I’ve known. He was forever learning and growing and stretching himself to improve, to expand, to grow. His wisdom and depth were unassuming and yet undeniable. When he spoke, others listened. I listened. I was made better because of the contributions that Marc made to my life and to this world. Marc smiled easily. He shared generously. He served purely. He cared genuinely. Our friendship was easy because it was easy to be Marc’s friend. I will miss him immensely and I’ll forever be grateful for the friendship we shared. Rest In Peace dear friend.

Oceans of LOVE

I met Marc when he joined The People Piece, a consulting firm focused on the human side of work. When Marc joined the team, I could tell he was a special person. I was impressed not only by his extensive professional experience, but also the fact that he went out of his way to support and mentor younger consultants like myself. He was deeply committed to the spirit of mentorship, cheerleading people at all stages of their development into their highest selves and making sure nothing stood in their way. I was privileged to have a few deep and meaningful conversations with him that went beyond the ordinary work connection. He was always open to my big philosophical questions about topics like life choices, family, community building, and aiming to make a significant social impact in our work while also balancing the desire for financial stability and practicality. Some things that always stood out to me were his commitment to his passions- particularly embodied active pursuits like climbing, surfing, and skating, his love of challenging tasks and not shying away from conflict, and his adoration of being a partner, parent, and community member. When I began working for myself and was in a period of trying to find new professional opportunities, I contacted Marc because I knew he was a person worth keeping in touch with and potentially following. He shared with me about an amazing group of people he was working with (or "playing with" as he liked to say)- Altus Growth Partners. I felt so touched that he said he could see a lot of potential in me and he wanted to connect me with the Altus team to get to know them and their work. This could have ended with a theoretical "would be nice" idea, but Marc actually followed up- which continued to show me that he walks the talk. I was able to spend a few months connecting with other wonderful people who had similar spirits I saw in Marc- and then was honored to be asked to join the team. One of the main things that made me excited to enter this next chapter was having Marc as a mentor. I mourn his loss, the pain of everyone who knew and loved him, and I am committed to doing my part to carrying on his legacy of values-driven work, always with kindness, curiosity, strategy, and bold vision.

Reiko and I are still in shock and grief.. He was a fine man: good humored, a great leader and brought out the best in a crowd. Allison I am so sorry. You know you can count on us for any thing we can do to help you and your family through this.

Such a shock and a tragic loss. Marc made a huge impact as a coach to many, many people in our programs here in Asia. My deepest condolences to Allison, Cora and family.

There are no words to express the depth of heartbreak this brings. Marc’s warm, positive, open-hearted and joyful presence truly was such a bright and beautiful light in the world. Dear Allison and Cora, my deepest condolences for your unimaginable loss. You are in my heart and I am holding you in love and light.

Oh my dear Alison, I am deeply deeply sorry that your bright beautiful buoyant beloved died. It is tragic that your family has to endure this loss and tragic that Marc doesn't get to be here with you any longer. I love you and Cora and Marc dearly and I'm wrapping you up in a hug from heart.

Dear Allison and Cora, I am so sorry to hear of Marc's passing. I am sending you love, light, and peace. Tisha

Such a terrible shock. A very fine man has passed. I am so sad and will miss his warmth, wit and gentle spirit. He was a special partner and leader here in our community. His leadership qualities were beyond reproach. My love and condolences go out to the family. Please reach out Allison and Cora if there is anything I can do to help you. 831-427-3662.

So deeply saddened to hear this news! Marc was such a wonderful man whom I remember being a great father, husband and all around warm and kind person who cared. Such a loss to your family and friends, as well as to our community. I send my deepest heartfelt sympathy and love, and will hold you in my prayers during this difficult time. Allow the angels to assist you at this time. God Bless!

Oh dear Alison and Cora, there are no words. We are wrapping you in the most tender embrace during this painful time. We considered Marc to be such a gem of a human. The things I noticed about him was the way he cared for you. Even as little as making you a hot, but not too hot, drink in the morning while we were camping. He was so thoughtful and patient and I really appreciated that about him. Our hearts are broken for you and Cora and your whole family.

My deepest condolences to Allison, Cora and Marc's family and friends. I will miss Marc, as will so many who's lives he touched with the twinkle in his eye and his easy smile. What a gift to have him on this earth for the time he had.