Second, Mark was a forester. He graduated from Iowa State University and then spent two years of active duty in the U.S. Army, serving in Japan. After discharge he was hired by the U.S. Forest Service and spent his entire career gratefully serving the public. In mid-career he obtained a Master’s degree in Forest Economics. He worked in the Washington, D.C. office in the Timber Management Division. He served on the Spotted Owl Task Force and participated in international forestry projects in Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.

Third, he and Teddy were married for 35 years. They traveled extensively in the U.S. and around the world. They loved and cared for several generations of cats, usually three at a time. Living in beautiful small cities such as Annapolis, Maryland and Santa Fe, New Mexico they took advantage of all the amenities available. They particularly loved good food and attending Celtic music concerts. Both participated in the spiritual life of Centers for Spiritual Living and believed in the new thought movement. They worked to be grateful for all they had.

Finally, at age 40 Mark decided to exercise regularly and eat healthy food. He made this commitment and followed through. Despite these efforts and with no connection to them he was diagnosed in 2019 with a dreadful rare blood disorder called Amyloidosis. Through almost four years of treatment provided by the brilliant and caring doctors, scientists, and a huge number of other health care providers at the Mayo Clinic, Mark’s life was enhanced. Even so, with no cure, Mark succumbed to its effects on March 13, 2023 at age 75.

Mark would ask you to think of the forests, to hike their trails and to rush outside to look at the sunset or moonrise over water, and for all our sakes to preserve our precious planet.