(Obituaries
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The People's Peacemaker
David Sachs
Senior Copy Editor
W
ith his big, red eyeglass
frames and even larger
smile, Hank Marx had a
charm and wit that put people — even
strangers — at ease.
"He was so much fun to be with,"
said Rabbi Dannel Schwartz of Temple
Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield, a
friend for 34 years.
"Maybe it was the
twinkle in his eye. Maybe
it was that face that
seemed to beam with
that smile of his. Maybe
it was the way he looked
just as he was coming
up with that great quip
at just the right time.
Maybe it was because he
Hank Marx
just loved people so.
"It didn't matter," said
the rabbi, "rich or poor, famous or
infamous, black, white or chartreuse
— he just loved people. Loved to be
around them. Loved talking with them.
Loved reaching out to them."
But as much as he enjoyed the com-
pany of others, Hank also cherished
a sense of peace and serenity in his
own life, said Sue Marx, his wife of 53
years.
"He'd sit outside our house and lis-
ten to the birds and crickets at night,"
she said. "He loved quiet, and he loved
people getting along. He just didn't
like conflict."
Hank, owner of Industrial Smelting,
a metal refining company, for most
of his working life, was also a lifelong
student, taking one or two classes a
semester at Wayne State University
CHARLOTTE BROUS, 97, of Southfield,
died Oct. 20, 2007. She was the co-owner
of Suzy Hats with her husband for over 25
years.
Mrs. Brous is survived by her chil-
dren, Harriet and Ralph Brumer of West
Bloomfield, Randy and Craig Rubin of
Bloomfield Hills; grandchildren, Jane and
Michael Cullen, Danice Bell, Daniel Stern,
Melissa and Seth Meltzer; great-grandchil-
dren, Max and Zachary Cullen, Anna and
Meredith Stern, Brandon and Lindsay Bell
and Asher Meltzer.
She was the beloved wife of the late
Daniel Brous.
Interment at Adat Shalom Memorial
in Detroit over the past six decades.
With his sharp and creative mind, he
developed his interests in politics,
sculpture, drawing, writing, music and
psychology.
During the past decade or so, he
found a new career that combined his
affection for people with his passion
for peacefulness. His efforts as a pro-
fessional mediator, often volunteering
his skills to assist courts and police
departments, allowed him
to share his aversion to con-
flict with scores of people
throughout Metro Detroit.
Stanley "Hank" Marx, 83,
of Birmingham, died of heart
failure on Oct. 21, 2007.
His wife, Sue, an Academy
Award-winning documen-
tary film producer, said he
quipped that living under
one roof with a strong-willed
wife and three strong-willed
daughters well prepared him to settle
disputes among strangers.
But Hank also had the credentials.
Just this spring, at age 83, he joined
students a fraction of his age at WSU's
commencement ceremonies to receive
his master's degree in conflict resolu-
tion.
"All the kids and grandkids watched
their grandpa walk up and get a diplo-
ma," said Sue. "Earning his master's
was one of the proudest moments of
his life because it was such a feat,
such an accomplishment. He'd been
sick on and off over the past seven
years with heart disease."
Hank had received his bachelor's
degree 35 years earlier, at age 48.
He had wanted to attend college upon
returning from World War II, but he
Park Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to Temple Shir Shalom, Corners
Program, 3999 Walnut Lake, West
Bloomfield, MI 48323; Beaumont Hospice,
1200 Stephenson Hwy., Troy, MI 48083;
or Friendship Circle, 6892 W. Maple, West
Bloomfield, MI 48322. Arrangements by
Ira Kaufman Chapel.
WILLIAM COLLIS, 84 of Scottsdale,
Ariz., formerly of Redford, died Oct. 3,
2007.
Bill served in the U.S. Army. After the
service, he was a salesman and busi-
ness owner. After he sold his business,
he attended Wayne State University in
had to help run and eventually take
over his father's business. But he
never gave up his dream of higher
education and exploring his curiosity
and talents.
Lecture Series
Another of his proudest moments
came three years ago, when his
daughters, Terry, Jane and Liz, estab-
lished the Stanley "Hank" Marx Annual
Lecture Series in Dispute Resolution
at WSU.
"He was a special man," said Sue.
"He set the bar really high for every-
one."
Hank mediated many disputes
among families, neighbors or workers.
"He did a lot of employer-employee
mediation for the Postal Service," said
Sue. "We know there are a lot of angry
people working swiftly at jobs that
don't pay well and don't make them
really happy and fulfilled. And he did
a lot of negotiation regarding children
with learning disabilities whose par-
ents thought they should be getting
more help from the schools.
"And family arguments. He had a
knack. They would be referred to the
mediation centers by the court as
things that would be better settled
by a mediator. He loved it. A lot of his
work was pro bono. He just wanted to
make peace.
"Hank was also appointed to the
Detroit Police Commission during the
Dennis Archer administration," said
Sue. "He wrote his master's thesis on
his proposal that Detroit train police
officers to mediate disputes. When
there were domestic situations, they
should sit people down and let them
talk it out. Basically, everybody just
Detroit and began a new career in the field
of law. He served the Maricopa Justice
Court System in Arizona and the past year
was appointed as a pro-tern justice of the
peace.
Mr. Collis was a lifetime member of
the Perfection Mosaic Masonic Lodge in
Michigan and a former member of Red
Run Golf Club in Royal Oak. He and his
wife volunteered at the Scottsdale Center
for the Performing Arts for many years.
Mr. Collis was a man of principle, who
always had words of wisdom and humor;
he was quick to smile and always quick to
tease. He was a great believer in education
and volunteering one's time whenever and
wants to be heard.
"He created wonderful metal sculp-
tures, too," said Sue. "Two of them sit
proudly on our front lawn. Large, tow-
ering pieces. They're abstract, cute,
wonderful things. Four weeks ago, he
signed up to take a drawing class."
Speaking at the funeral, daughter
Liz said her father had the heart of a
lion: "It was fierce, noble and gentle at
the same time."
She described his love for her
mother. "I know that without a doubt
he had a crush on her until the day he
died.
"And his love for everyone in our
family was also fierce and gentle. It
was pure goodness and generosity of
spirit," Liz said.
"Hank wanted to be remembered
as a man who brought peace and con-
sideration to this world, said Rabbi
Schwartz.
"He's resting peacefully because he
did such a good job," said Sue.
Hank Marx is survived by his wife,
Sue Marx; daughter, Dr. Terry Marx and
son-in-law Dr. Stephen Arpadi of New
York; daughter, Jane Marx and daugh-
ter-in-law Ilene Weiss of New Mexico;
daughter, Elizabeth Marx of California;
grandchildren, Adina and Charlotte
Marx-Arpadi, Jude Marx; sister, Sue
Marx Smock; nieces and nephews.
Mr. Marx was the dear brother-in-law
of the late Vivian Gothelf Lieberman.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to the Stanley "Hank" Marx
Dispute Resolution Fund, Wayne
State University, 1262 Faculty
Administration Building, Detroit, MI
48202. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel. 7i
wherever needed. He was a gentle man
who will be sadly missed by many.
He is survived by his wife, June; daugh-
ter, Francine (Robert) Straub; stepchil-
dren, Michael (Debie) Borton, Douglas
(Brenda) Borton, Richard Borton, Cathy
(William) Chapman, Diane (Thomas)
Beaman, Donna (Thomas) Fisher; 11
grandchildren; four great-grandchildren;
sister, Marion (Leo) Quinn; nieces, neph-
ews and many special friends
Interment at Green Acres Memorial
Gardens in Scottsdale. Contributions may
be made to a charity of one's choice.
Obituaries on page B38
October 25 2007
B37