Dr. Marc Allen Feldman, a very inspirational character in the heart of the Libertarian Party, passed away on the morning of Wednesday, June 22, 2016.

Dr. Feldman was born in Washington DC, and was raised a short distance away in Silver Springs, Maryland. Having grown up hearing the news of the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy, Feldman grew to associate politicians with liars, and consciously avoided entangling himself in the political process by abstaining to vote. In 2009, he discovered the Libertarian Party and began his political journey by running for Attorney General. He considered this campaign a success after receiving over 100,000 votes.

Dr. Feldman had been practicing anesthesiologist at Cleveland Clinic since 1998. He also served as the president of the Ophthalmic Anesthesia Society.  Feldman announced on January 13, 2015 that he would seek nomination for President of the United States under the Libertarian Party ticket. With a goal to maintain transparency and integrity in his campaign, Feldman refused to accept campaign contributions of more than $5, and titled his campaign “Votes Not For Sale.”

At the Libertarian National Convention, Dr. Feldman notably rushed to the aid of a local pedestrian who was hit by a car outside of the convention center.

Prominent Libertarians took to social media on Thursday to pay their respects to the former  presidential candidate and Libertarian National Committee at-large member. Feldman, of Beachwood, Ohio was found unresponsive at a hotel in Brook Park, Ohio. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office has not released an official cause of death. Feldman was 56 years old.

Read tributes below from prominent Libertarians, including Nicholas Sarwark, Austin Petersen, Arvin Vohra, Darryl W. Perry and many more:

 

Nicholas Sarwark

Chairman of the Libertarian Party

“Members of the Libertarian Party are deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Feldman’s passing. He grew up cynical about politics and politicians, but found in the Libertarian Party a politics of empowering individuals that he could believe in. We will miss his dedication as a member of the national committee and candidate for public office, but most of all, I will miss a good friend. He was a delightful, spirited, and dedicated Libertarian who inspired and won the hearts of many. Our deepest condolences to his family on their loss.”

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Arvin Vorha

Vice Chairman of the Libertarian Party

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Marc Allan Feldman, a powerful advocate for freedom, a great leader, and a man of principle. Your friends in the Liberty movement will miss you. Rest in peace, Marc.”

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Darryl W. Perry

Award-Winning Author
Former Presidential Candidate

“Just received word from Carla Howell that Marc Allan Feldman passed away. I got to know Marc over the last 7 months in the campaign trail. While we didn’t always agree, we became friends and I respected his opinions. I send my condolences to his family and other friends. Shalom.”

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John McAfee

Software Developer
Former Presidential Candidate

 

“With great regret, I have learned of the passing of Dr. Marc Allan Feldman today. I’m shocked and saddened to hear this unfortunate news. Less than a month ago, we share the Libertarian National stage together. I had tears of laughter while listening to this outstanding Libertarian Rap routine. Today, I have tears of a different kind. We will all miss him. Remember this man and his words. They apply to us all. He was our kind of Libertarian.”

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Alicia Dearn

CEO of Bellatrix PC
Former Vice Presidential Candidate

“Dr. Feldman represented some of the best aspects of Libertarianism. He showed the country that Libertarians practice compassion and private charity when he performed CPR on a stranger at the national convention in May. He showed the LP’s inclusive and quirky side when he rapped about all types of libertarians in the debate. He showed his dedicated side by running for office and sharing Liberty ideas to all who would listen. He showed his serious side when he nominated Bill Weld for VP. I’m heartbroken because Marc was taken from us too soon.”

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Mark Rutherford

Former Vice Chairman of the Libertarian Party

“Marc’s passing stuns and saddens me. It was always fun to talk with him during the convention campaign trail this year. He clearly was passionate about helping others. His presence will be missed by the LP. My condolences go out to his family.”

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Trent Somes III

Executive Chairman of the Libertarian Youth Caucus

Charles Peralo

Inventor
Entrepreneur

“Doctor Feldman, when I first met him, was a guy who I didn’t really have many thoughts on before I got a chance to know him. He wasn’t someone I researched or really looked into that much on. That’s something I regret. However, what I don’t regret is getting to know the man. The man, I can say, really was a genuine person running for president as a libertarian who was honest and did care; a guy who would flat out say anything regardless of political consequence. He was someone who was intelligent, and he did clearly understand policy. Yet most of all he was a guy who just, at the end of day, was a friend. He would be kind to anyone at a libertarian event and make an effort to get to know him. Where everyone in politics would go ‘Oh look at me, oh look at me,’ he would drop the ego and be the guy saying ‘I’m that libertarian!’ For that, I thank him; for being a friend, a doctor and a candidate. He will always be that libertarian.”

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Kevin McCormick

Former Presidential Candidate

“Dr. Feldman was always ready for an open and honest discussion. He made an impact on me personally the first time we met and I’m sadden by our loss.”

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Martin van Staden

Executive Board Member of African Students For Liberty
Editor-in-Chief of Being Libertarian LLC

“Dr. Feldman was a part of the global libertarian family. Losing him at his prime during his involvement in libertarian activism is not only bad for America, but the entire movement is weaker without him. My condolences to his family and friends.”

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Steve Kerbel

Author
Former Presidential Candidate

“I am profoundly saddened to hear of he passing of Dr. Marc Allan Feldman. Marc was a real thinker, and had a great heart. We had the opportunity to help each other through challenging times, and I will always be grateful for his friendship and his commitment to making a better world. Rest in peace my friend. I am a better person for having known you.”

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Austin Petersen

Founder of The Libertarian Republic
Former Presidential Candidate

“I’m saddened to the core to hear that my friend, and former competitor for the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination Dr. Marc Allan Feldman has passed away. He was an extremely passionate man, with a tremendous sense of humor and a flair for rap. Best wishes to his family in this difficult time.”

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Rest in peace, Dr. Feldman.