Milton Marks, a former ASTA president and the founding president of the Institute of Certified Travel Agents, now the Travel Institute, died at his home in Kettering, Ohio, on Nov. 14. He was 93.
He joined his family travel agency, Marks Travel Service, in Dayton, Ohio, in 1935 and stayed until its sale in 1984.
He became active in ASTA and served in a number of positions, including national president in 1962 and 1963.
A staunch advocate of education and training for agents, he went on to become one of the founding trustees and first president of ICTA in 1964 and continued to serve as chairman of the ICTA board until his retirement in 1988, after which he was honored with the title of chairman emeritus.
He was named Travel Agent of the Year by ASTA in 1972 and was inducted into the Travel Hall of Fame in 1990.
In 1961 Marks was decorated by France as a Chevalier de l’ordre du Merite Touristique.
During his career he served on a number of boards and committees, including the board of directors of the 1964 New York World’s Fair Corp. He was also active in civic and religious activities.
A funeral service was held on Nov. 16 at Temple Israel in Dayton.
Survivors include three children, Rhona Marks Smuian, Judith Marks Cohen and Richard Marks, who is president of MDC Travel in Washington.