Mark Sudlow Hoyert, PhD, 66, of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away June 20, 2026. He was born on July 14, 1959, in Riverdale, Maryland, to the late Jack and Louise Hoyert. Mark was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather who took great delight in his family. Family and friends will remember him for his sense of humor and gift of telling a great story.
His career as a professor of psychology at Indiana University Northwest in Gary, Indiana, spanned 38 years and was marked by thoughtful leadership and a love of teaching. He began his academic career by earning two bachelor’s degrees, one in history and the other in psychology, from the University of Maryland at College Park. Mark furthered his studies, earning a master’s and a doctorate in experimental psychology from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
At IU Northwest, Mark served in numerous leadership roles, including chair of the Department of Psychology and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He authored more than 75 research publications and presentations, focused on chaos theory, analysis of behavior, achievement motivation, and enhancing student success.
He received numerous awards for his teaching, including the IU Fredrick Bachman Lieber Memorial Award, the IUN Founder’s Day Teaching Award, four IU Trustees’ Teaching awards, and the IU P.A. Mack Award for distinguished service to teaching. His devotion to student success is embodied in the three undergraduate scholarships he created and funded at IU Northwest during his career.
Outside of work, you could find Mark tending to his garden. He was known for his garlic and vegetables that he would share with family and friends, and the beautiful daffodils and daylilies planted around his home. A fan of jam bands, Mark was a lifelong Deadhead. He also had a passion for woodworking, crafting duck decoys, building furniture, and making annual Christmas ornaments. He was an enthusiastic hiker and kayaker and loved exploring the national parks. Traveling with his family — and learning the language of each destination — was one of Mark's great pleasures.
On June 8, 1991, Mark married Cynthia D. O’Dell, who survives along with their children, Matthew (Hannah) Hoyert and Shelby (Evan Frystak) Hoyert; granddaughter, Amelia Hoyert; and siblings, John H. Hoyert III and Donna Hoyert.
A memorial gathering will be held on July 10, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Road, Valparaiso, with a celebration of life service beginning at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested for the IU Northwest Mark S. Hoyert Psychology Department Scholarship, or friends and family may plant a tree in his honor through the Arbor Day Foundation.
GUESTBOOK
Who am I? A cousin of Mark, Donna, and John Hoyert. My father was Charles E. Hoyert, the middle brother to Jack (John, Mark, and Donna's father) and youngest brother, Robert (father to Margaret Hoyert Westfield). My family moved away from Maryland in 1961 so we were unable to maintain as close a relationship as we would have liked, other than annual trips from Illinois to the family seat in Beltsville, Maryland. My brother, Charles E. Jr., lives in Illinois. Our sister, Sandy, lives in Phoenix, AZ, and my husband Jim and I live in Texas. So sorry for your loss. -Tina Hoyert Kaetzer
I am still in shock, but my heart goes out to his family. As a young faculty member, Mark made time to talk to me and guide me on so many things. He set an example that makes me want to pay it forward. He encouraged me to apply for awards, to do research trips, and to question issues in higher education to make things better for the students. He impacted so many students’ lives, and some might not know it because they wouldn’t even know how much he influenced what they studied. Even more, I’ll miss having someone to call me out when I am off and someone so brilliant to swap hiking stories with. Cynthia, I am sorry for your loss. -Bill Allegrezza
Dear Cynthia, I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Hoyert. He was a truly remarkable colleague and friend who brought so much warmth and wisdom into my life. I will always cherish the days he spent coming into my office, generously sharing his incredible experiences and lifelong stories with me. His passion for life was always evident, especially when he talked about gardening and eagerly insisted that I join him for a visit to the campus greenhouse. I am forever grateful to him for ultimately allowing me to become a forever Redhawk. He made a profound impact on my journey, and his legacy will live on through the many lives he touched. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this incredibly difficult time. Dr. Hoyert will be greatly missed, and my thoughts are with you and your family. -Felicia Freeman
Dear Cynthia and Family: I was shocked and saddened to learn that Mark had passed away. Just a day earlier Mark and I talked over the phone making plans for a day of kyaking and eating pizza. He was a true friend in all aspects of that word. Before and after my hear surgery in early March he constantly kept in touch about how I was progressing with my recovery. At times my recovery had setbacks and Mark would share a story of his journey after heart surgery, which would make me feel a lot better about my progress. I will always recall with fondness Mark as a friend and colleague. He is now with our lord teaching heaven how to teach. I will miss him deeply. -Nelson De Leon
I was shocked to see that Dr. Hoyert had passed away. May the angels greet him in Paradise. I was thankful when Dr. Hoyert hired me to teach some classes as an adjunct lecturer. He didn't know it at the time, but I was unemployed and desperate to provide for my children. I sat in my car and cried at how thankful I was that he believed in me. He later showed confidence in me by calling me out of the blue in early August one year to teach a new class that was relevant to the political climate of 2016, while serving as a General Studies capstone for those whose academic life exploded on them just before their last semester and graduation. These were students who couldn't pass organic chemistry and their dreams of being a doctor were shattered. Or, they couldn't pass the licensing exam to become a teacher. There were other scenarios. Yet, I was moved by Dr. Hoyert's concern for these folks who, at that point, just needed a degree to show the hard work they had put in. So, I create a counter espionage course out of my knowledge of the former Soviet Union's KGB. It was apropos because Donald Trump was marching to win the White House. He seemed to always have this kind of compassionate vision that also helped the bottom line for IUN. He will be missed. I am thankful to have known him and have had his trust in me. -Father Mark Kurowski
We, of the Azodo family, express our deepest condolences on the passing of a great man, not only from the perspective of his being human through and through but also because he was sodown to earth and so caring for others fortunate and less fortunate. May his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace in the bosom of our Lord God forever and forever. Amen, -Ada Azodo
Cynthia and Family: We only learned today about Mark's passing. Please accept our sympathy for your loss and know that our thoughts are with you. Sincerely, -Bill Lowe
Cynthia and family, my deepest and sincerest condolences on Mark’s passing. The epitome of the teacher-scholar and servant-leader. Every year I looked forward to the introduction of new faculty, and never wanted to follow Mark! Such a perfect blend of art and science. Please try to take solace in the hundreds of lives Mark touched. He was so unique; dare I say a unicorn? I feel privileged to have known and worked with him. All my love, -Linda Delunas
Mark's mom (Louise) and my mom (Elsie) were sisters who each had 3 kids. Each birth was about the same time so my 2 siblings and I were about the same ages as Mark and his 2 siblings. Memories of kids camping together on Assateauge Island, swimming in the North Atlantic, playing board games, and eating family meals are forever etched in my mind. Mark had the best giggle of the whole gang. I remember him giggling so hard that his eyes would squint shut. A few months ago I had the pleasure of having an email conversation with Mark comparing our recent mountain trips. After reading each other's Christmas cards we realized we were both just a stones throw away at almost the same time last fall vacationing in the Smokey Mountains with our families. Mark suggested we plan trips to coincide for a mini reunion (or at least a meal together). I'm sad that reunion is now postponed. However I'm filled with joy at the unimaginable reunion on that day when we will share face to face (1Cor 13:12) the Love, Peace, and Joy of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, God's understanding is unsearchable (Is 40:28), but I imagine seeing Mark perhaps near his garden, kayak, and favorite mountain stream - and of course hearing that giggle. -Cousin, Patsy Louise Gilbert
My Mom and Mark‘s Mom were sisters. We were from St. Louis and we would occasionally vacation in Maryland over the summer, and on Chincoteague, where Granny had a stilt house. I learned how to make sandcastles from Mark and John when I was growing up, that led to me building Sandcastles halfway around the world during my excursion to Operation Desert Storm in the Navy. When I returned from Desert Storm, I became Mark and Cynthia‘s wedding photographer. If you were there, I was the one shooting pictures in my Navy Dress Blues. I cherish the memories of staying at the beach with John, Mark and Donna; especially the time Mark and John picked up & threw my mom and their mom into the surf!😜 My funniest memory of Mark was when I was driving from St. Louis to Orlando to visit Patsy and I stopped at Mark’s apartment when he was attending Emory University in Atlanta. He and his roommates had drilled all kinds of weightlifting & exercise apparatus into the ceiling of their apartment! Also, as a kid visiting D.C., I was always fascinated with Mark’s massive pigeon operation at his home in College Park, MD. I’m very sad to lose Mark at such an early age. I wish Valparaiso was on one of my airline routes so that I could’ve visited more often. I wish Cynthia, Matthew, and Shelby peace… Cousin John (John Robert, as the Hoyerts always called me) -John Carter
