OBITUARIES

52 | MAY 6 • 2021 

OF BLESSED MEMORY

M

arvin Surowitz, a 
lifetime Detroiter, 
died on April 16, 
2021. 
Born in 1941, he graduated 
from Mumford High School 
and Wayne State University. 
As a professor of political 
science since 1964 at Macomb 
County and Wayne County 
community colleges, he 
impacted many people. 
Students often said his class 
was a pivotal point in their 
lives.
Marvin was involved in 
social and political issues: 
environmental, human 
rights and peace since the 
1960s as well as running 
for political office. His 
passion was the legalization 
and decriminalization of 
marijuana.

He traveled 
to more than 30 
countries in his 
lifetime. In the 
1970s, Marvin 
studied with R. 
Buckminster Fuller, 
the famed architect, 
writer and futurist. 
Marvin saw people 
as One. “I see the 
Earth working,” he said. “I see 
peace and prosperity. I see 
no wars. I see sustainable and 
equitable growth. I see Earth 
Community!”
Marvin never sat still, right 
up until the end. He started 
many projects through the 
years. In the ’60s, he was at 
one time known as “Mad 
Marvin the Underground 
King” showing Underground 
films at the Detroit Repertory 

and in an Ann 
Arbor movie theater 
at midnight, where 
he hosted a world 
premiere of an 
Andy Warhol film.
He started the 
Earth Center 
in 1973, which 
was one of the 
first vegetarian 
restaurants in the Midwest as 
well as a performance space. 
He was one of the founders of 
the Detroit Erotic Poetry Fest, 
and the Community Concert 
Series. He was the founder 
and executive director of 
Earth Community, whose 
slogan was “You’re Already 
a Part of It.” Later in life, he 
created the PARTIE Party 
(People’s Alliance to Reform 
Transform and Improve 

Everything), PartieTV Media 
and Temples of the Holy 
Smoke, just to name a few.
Marvin Surowitz was 
husband of Eden Winter, 
father of Molly Surowitz, 
grandfather of Joshua and 
Jeremiah, brother of Arnold 
Surowitz, mentor, world 
traveler, author, community 
organizer, freedom advocate 
and an accomplished public 
speaker. Most importantly, 
he was a visionary and a 
peacemaker.
Interment was in the 
“green” cemetery, Hebrew 
Memorial Gardens in 
Roseville. Donations may 
be made to Detroit College 
Promise, classy.org/campaign/
detroit-college-promise/
c256730. Arrangements by 
Hebrew Memorial Chapel. 

Professor of Peace

Marvin Surowitz

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