Ian Marc Gittelsohn

March 7, 1929 - February 3, 2023

DEL MAR —

Ian Marc Gittelsohn, University of California librarian emeritus and longtime Del Mar resident, passed away at home on February 3, 2023, with his family around him. He was 93.

The youngest of three sons, Marc was born on March 7, 1929, in San Francisco, to Jay and Sadie Gittelsohn. He and his brothers Bill and Alan grew up in San Francisco, San Anselmo, and Berkeley. Their parents opened a family business, Jay’s Store for Men, where all of the brothers worked at one time or another.

After graduating from Berkeley High School, Marc went on to get his degree in History at UC Berkeley, and he had a strong interest in the Civil War.

He was a lover of books and began a collection that would eventually amass several thousand volumes.

Marc entered the U.S. Army as the Korean War came to a close, serving in California and Virginia at Fort Ord, Fort Lee, and Fort Hood. Although he didn’t make the military a career; he would note later that it was a good experience for him, and he met people he wouldn’t have otherwise encountered.

Marc returned to UC Berkeley to get his master’s degree in Library Science. During this time, he met Alberta “Mai Lon” Wong, who he would marry in 1958. They were married 65 years and had two children, Joel and Amy.

Marc worked at the UC Berkeley Library for 15 years and was head of the Moffitt Undergraduate Library there before transferring to UC San Diego in 1971. He finished his career as head of the Undergraduate Library at UCSD. He was awarded the Emeritus title the following year in recognition of his dedication to education and assistance to undergraduate students seeking information at the Library.

After retirement, Marc had a considerable collection of books at home to enjoy. He also took up walking and swimming. He was a volunteer docent at Torrey Pines State Preserve and also was involved with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Where Marc went, books were sure to follow. He increased the collection for volunteers to refer to at Torrey Pines tenfold.

Marc and Mai Lon enjoyed going to plays and concerts. He was tremendously proud of her accomplishments in the performing arts.

Marc is survived by his wife, Mai Lon; son and daughter-in-law, Joel Gittelsohn and Susan Liverman; daughter, Amy Gittelsohn; and his grandchildren, Jacob Navarro, Michelle Navarro, Susie Gittelsohn and Daniel Gittelsohn.

A celebration of life is being planned.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Torrey Pines Conservancy.

Go to www.torreypines. org for information and to donate.

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