In Memoriam Rolph Mars
On 24 March 2026 we had to say goodbye to our dear colleague and friend Rolph Mars. After an intense battle with acute leukemia with which he was diagnosed late 2023, Rolph was declared cancer-free in 2025. It came as an incredible shock to Rolph, his family, friends, and colleagues, when the cancer reappeared later that year.
Rolph joined the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in September 2021, first as a pre-Master student from Hogeschool Zuyd and then as a master student European Studies. He loved international politics and was eager to understand what was happening in a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions. Already then he stood out as an incredibly motivated, dedicated and diligent student, full of curiosity for the world and the people surrounding him. Not surprisingly, tutors loved having him in their group. Rolph did not only dedicate himself fully to his studies but also quickly made friends, started to dance salsa, practically lived at UM Sports, and learned Spanish in his free time. After completing his pre-Master and the Master European studies, he was hired as a Teaching Fellow at the Department of History. He integrated very quickly into the FASoS community, being loved and respected by colleagues and students alike.
Deeply caring about his students and having “active listening” and “learning by doing” as his professional creed, Rolph went above and beyond to provide quality education, and finding new ways to inspire and motivate students. By being prepared to the T, being kind and attentive, providing extensive feedback (even from his hospital bed!), developing new didactic exercises, and by making sure achievements are noted and celebrated (for example, through end-of-period Banditos cookies!) Rolph aimed and succeeded at making his students share his passion for the subject matter. He was very proud that at the last full course he taught, students had spontaneously given him an ovation, expressing their gratefulness for all his efforts. After his second diagnosis, those same students sent him heartfelt messages of support. Rolph was deeply moved by this. It frustrated him greatly that his teaching had once again been interrupted by a second period of illness.
Rolph considered himself a late-bloomer, but had found in his friends, hobbies, and work here in Maastricht the right conditions to grow and shine. How much he enjoyed life became evident when this very life came under threat. For almost two years he fought ferociously, tried every possible route, endured set-backs, fell, stood up again and continued to fight. Everyone he was in contact with during this period was impressed by his vitality and courage. In the attempt to prevent others from experiencing the same suffering, he started a very successful fundraising campaign supporting cancer research. You can still contribute to this campaign here.
Despite Rolph’s incredible zeal for life, his body tragically was not able to tolerate the increasing pressure. On 24 March he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. His intellectual curiosity, his attention to others, his endurance but first and foremost his ability to enjoy life to the fullest left a big impact on us. He will be greatly missed.
A quiet room has been set up at FASoS in room GG 80-82, room 0.003. Anyone who wishes can commemorate Rolph. A message can be written in the book available there.
Aline Sierp, Head of Department, History
Laura Brouwers, Teaching Fellow
Sophie Vanhoonacker, Professor, Department of Political Science
Raf De Bont, Vice-Dean of Research