Mark James Hirschfeld

Mark James Hirschfeld passed away on April 14^th, 2024 at home due to complications of lung cancer. Mark was diagnosed on Christmas of 2022 and battled hard for 15 months. A celebration of life will be held on April 26, 2024 in the Canyon Room at Platte Canyon High School at 11 am. Lunch will be provided, and all are welcome. 

Mark was born in Sterling, Colorado on November 7^th, 1968 to Albert & Carrie Hirschfeld, joining big sister Stacey. He attended St. Anthony’s Elementary School & Sterling Junior High. He was also an alter boy at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. He made lifelong friends at St. Anthony’s that carried into adulthood. As a kid, Mark kept busy with motorcycles, wrestling, football, and baseball. (Definitely not swimming). His love of sports carried him through his childhood and into highschool, where football & baseball took the forefront over academics.  Mark played varsity football his sophomore through senior year at Sterling High, only because freshman weren’t allowed on the varsity team, and played varsity baseball all four years. Mark graduated in 1987 and was off to the real world. 

Mark headed to play football at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. Due to a back injury & subsequent surgery, Mark left Kansas and completed a semester at Northeastern Junior College. He then settled in Greeley, Colorado at University of Northern Colorado where his life was about to change. Mark met Anne Lechman in the continuing education department at UNC, where he worked as a copyboy, a job he took very seriously. They officially started dating at an Reo Speedwagon concert, and the rest was history. Mark graduated college in May of 1992 with a bachelors degree in sociology and a minor in psychology. Mark and Anne welcomed their daughter, Emily Rae, on June 26, 1992. 

Mark & Anne got married on September 25, 1993 and began their life as a family of three in Lakewood, Colorado. Mark worked at the Alternative Homes for Youth Cedars Day Treatment where he would mentor at-risk youth as a wilderness counselor. He also worked at Last Resort, another alternative youth home. In 1997, Mark & Anne moved to the mountains in Bailey, and Mark started working at Platte Canyon High School the following fall as an alternative education teacher. He was known as a champion for underserved students. In 2005, Mark began a new position as the Dean of Students at Platte Canyon, working with Principal Mike Schmidt. 

Mark was an avid outdoorsman. He climbed two volcanos in Mexico, ice climbed waterfalls in the Colorado mountains, and even conquered Mount Rainer. Mark and Anne went on several rafting trips on the Colorado River, and took Emily camping every summer. Mark shared his love of motorcycles with Emily, and took his family fourwheeling and dirtbiking. Mark and Anne took several motorcycle trips to places such as Coeurd’alene, Canada, and Sturgis to name a few. Later in life, Mark & Anne took trips to explore the east coast, finding a love for Boston. 

Mark continued his love for sports by supporting his daughter throughout all her volleyball games and track meets, along with rooting for the Huskies in various sporting seasons. He was well known for his loud support & competitive spirit. Mark bled Husky blue even when he wasn’t at school, and supported school fundraisers by obtaining tons of Husky gear. Mark was also known for his Tuesday/Thursday tie days, as he never repeated a tie during the school year. This even expanded during Covid mask mandates, as he had school spirit masks. 

Mark was very family oriented. Anne was the love of his life for over 30 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Al & Carrie Hirschfeld. He is survived by his lifelong love Anne, his daughter Emily, son-in-law Austin & grandson Calvin; his sister Stacey Hirschfeld Coseo, nephew Jaden, niece Molly, nephew Cody (Gloria & baby Zurich); in-laws Suanne & Bob Garioto, Ed Lechman, Ed & Angela Lechman; and a large extended family, countless friends, and a school community. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, a favorite of Mark’s.