In Memory of Mark

Sheryl Burgstahler
Picture of Mark.
1993 DO-IT Scholar, Mark

I am sad to report that Mark, a '93 Scholar, died this past December. Mark had been ill for some time, but died peacefully in his sleep at his apartment in Spokane. In the early days of DO-IT, Mark developed a reputation for promoting philosophical conversations on the doitkids e-mail discussion list. He never found a controversial topic that he didn't like to discuss. He once actually admitted, "I enjoy being screamed at while making a rational argument."

Mark participated in Summer Study in 1993 (our first program!) and 1994 and was an Intern in 1995. I can still picture Mark racing across campus in his power chair with snacks stacked on his lap, while he was guiding (more like dragging) Randy (the co-coordinator of snack breaks and fellow Intern who is blind). Mark succeeded in reaching his goals of attending college and having his own apartment. He attended Big Bend Community College and Eastern Washington University for a total of 4 years. Last year he was busy developing plans for an Internet-based business.

Mark is missed by all of us who knew him as a DO-IT Scholar, DO-IT Ambassador, and friend.