How many times have you heard the phrase—“Well, that’s just Mark!”

 

How many times have you, yourself said-- “Oh, Mark!!!”

 

You and I had the priviledge of knowing --a unique, wonderful, fascinating, exasperating , lovable man—my brother Mark.

 

He lived only 50 years—and that’s the hard part. 

 

But what a life!  What an impact!  He jammed more life into those 

50 years—than most people could ever do.

 

Mark had a personality that could a fill a room.

 

 Nobody ever left a party or function-- asking the question:

 

“Well, was Mark there?” 

 

He was always at the center—having fun—entertaining others—laughing—talking—encouraging—arguing—teasing—and smiling.

 

Mark lived so much life that no-one could see it all:

 

Each of us got some glimpses—and I can only tell you my perspective—but let me tell you about just a few things from the different parts of his life that I know.

 

Early life

Mark was born in Spokane, Wa. --to Fred and Mary Pfeifer on Nov. 24^th, 1954.   At 7:33 in the evening.

Mom told me he was early.  To my knowledge this was the only time he was early for anything.

 

Mark grew up at Liberty Lake—at that time it was kind of a sleepy little lake community—basically in the woods and on the water.

 

He was the oldest child—I was #2—Stephanie was #3—Jay was #4.

Mark always knew he was #1.  He was the “leader of the pack.”

 

Believe it or not--He met his first true love before he started grade-school.

 

 That first true love was Smoooth Water!  He never grew out of that infatuation.

 

Smoooth Water--- meant Ice-skating in the Winter—with Hockey

                        and then Water Skiing --Spring, Summer, Fall.

 

Mark enjoyed other sports too—as a kid--though not to the same extent: Basketball, Tennis, Football, Hunting.

 

As you know, he was pretty “down-to-earth”-but he was also a Dreamer.

 

Even as a kid—Mark dreamed big.

One winter—when pursuing his love of Smoooth  Water—

He was convinced that he could smooth out an entire Lake of bumpy ice by diligent use of a garden hose hooked up to Mom and Dad’s Hot Water Tank.

 

Music – was another of his passions.   Mark was the sole possessor of the entire family’s musical talent.  He played the trombone with relish.

 

Midnight – (the family dog) would run to Mark’s side and howl in harmony or dissonance (or whatever is the right musical term) – every time that trombone came out for practice.

 

I was his roommate for 18 years.  

 

We had bunk beds – being # 1, of course--he got the top bunk.

 

Back in the old days-- parents made their kids go to bed at a decent hour—and sometimes for us, that was pretty early!

 

 When we couldn’t get to sleep–- we used to play “Name that Tune.”

One of us would hum or whistle a tune and the other had to name it. 

 

Mark would hum a song and I would always guess it in a few notes.

 

But when it was MY turn to hum – I would go on and on – Mark totally stumped.  Finally, he would say “I give up, what is it?”

 

  I would answer with the name of a popular song:

(Hey Jude,  Hi-de-ho, Yellow Submarine)

 

 He would shout, “ NO its Not!”  THIS is how it goes … then he would hum it --  I would say, “Right – that’s just what I did!”  

 

Mark would get so frustrated, that he’d threaten to jump down and “beat the tar” out of me.

 

He never did – but I realized that he was really # 1 in the music department.

 

 

Teens

Mark was a good kid and a good student at school – although he tried to keep his academic achievements a secret.

 

In Junior Hi and High School – my brother stayed active with music:

 

                Marching band, Stage band, Jazz band

 

Playing popular songs by groups like Santana, Chicago, CCR, Blood Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power.

 

 In those days – being naturally handsome and clean cut did nothing for your image on the music scene.  So Mark developed his unique sense of fashion (which he never really outgrew—just adapted).

 

 Long hair (he sort of out grew that)   chains, beads, bracelets

Knee-high fringed moccasins

Velvet patched jeans

A slouchy black leather hat

Hawaiian shirts—four seasons of the year

He stayed tan all year long

 

And all of these things WAY before they were even heard of in Spokane.

 

Mark loved drama—(not on TV—in real life.)  He loved a good scene.

 

In high school -- he got the nickname – SNAKE 

It came with an impromptu stunt he pulled at an assembly before the entire student body.  He just got up and performed—as his alter-ego—SNAKE—it was totally spontaneous-– totally embarrassing to family!  And that name had legs. J

A few years later-- I delivered Mark’s lunch to him at work once in a cabinet making shop –

No one there had ever heard of Mark Pfeifer – so I started describing him – and the guy at the counter said, “Oh, You must mean SNAKE!” 

 

Just last year, I was interviewing a man – and after the introductions – he asked me, “By any chance--are you  SNAKE’s  brother? – “Yes, I am.”

 

 

Well, after high-school, Mark went on to Community College, then finished his schooling at Whitworth College in Spokane.

 

He went on to be successful in his work:

Meeting the challenges in each position

Growing and gaining in responsibility

He had the respect of his co-workers and colleagues.

 

And he enjoyed his work!

 

I think it was because his work always involved dealing with people.

 

And People were another of Mark’s passions. 

 

In groups—he loved to laugh and joke and “stir the pot”:

Bring up a controversial topic—or something totally embarrassing--and then watch people react. 

 

He would just stand back—enjoy the fire-works-- and smile.

 

Individually, Mark loved to find out what “made people tick.”

 

Why they thought the way they did. 

And frankly, sometimes it got uncomfortable.  Mark made a point of pushing people out of their comfort zones. 

 

And if you made the mistake of spouting something glib—

 

Or if you were just repeating someone else’s idea without thinking about it for yourself—Watch Out! 

 

He always knew—and would dig down until he found some reality.

 

He would make you think thru what you believed—you had to explain it to him.

 

Whether it was politics—religion—the economy—Mark would always take the “other side”—whether he agreed with it or not--and then make you argue your side convincingly -- explaining to him why you thought the way you did.

 

It wasn’t a game to him—he was honestly interested in what you thought and why you believed a certain way.  And he wanted you to THINK!

 

Mark always had time for people.  He truly cared for the people in his life—and really listened to their concerns—problems—joys—ambitions—dreams.

 

He didn’t really give advice—but he always encouraged.

 

One place where he DID give advice—was on the water.  Mark taught more people to water-ski than you can imagine! 

 

How many people here were taught to ski by Mark?

He was incredibly patient—and persistent!  “Come on!  You can do it!  One more run!  You were doing better that time!  Let’s take off another 2 feet!”

 

When Mark was still living in Spokane, he would call me at work and say, “What are you doing for lunch?”

 

“Let’s meet down at the boat—and it’s your turn to bring the spotter.” 

 

How many people here have been the spotter in Mark’s boat?

 

I went thru more employees watching Mark ski at lunchtime.

And never getting fed!

 

 

You know, when I think about it—Mark lived his life the way he always skiied behind the boat.

 

He put everything into it.

When he took his turn in the water, you couldn’t wait to watch him!

You would always learn something.

 

Mark was so strong and talented—that when he made a cut—it would be so deep in the water—that he would actually drag the boat.

 

You didn’t have to look back to see who was skiing—the way the boat responded-- would tell you who was skiing.

 

He got the absolute MOST out of every run.  It was exhausting to watch him.  And exhilarating.

It always made me want to do better my next time out.  And with his help—I always did.

I’ve talked a lot about skiing—because it was a big passion for Him.

 

But a bigger passion was his family.  Mark was a real family person—

 

        He was a great son—brother—husband—father—grandfather.

 

How do you even describe that?  Mark had a big family—but every member was important and the relationships went deep.

 

Maureen—Nicholas—Morgan Skye – Bill & Paula -- Brittany and her baby Carter—Jameson -- Mom and Dad—Stephanie, Jay and Me

 

Each of us can tell you about the impact he made on our lives.

 

I can’t do it justice here—anything I say would be too short—and would be only my own perspective.

 

The people Mark loved, deserve better than that—so if you see one of us at the reception today—and we look like we’re doing O.K. for the moment—ask us about our relationship with Mark.

 

We would be glad to share.

 

He was patient with the kids—and encouraging.  He took an active role as a Dad.

 

He was a bridge-builder and a peace-maker between people when there was tension.  Mark wanted all of us to get along with each other--and get together often.

 

He came to every family gathering (late) --and the party always started when he got there.

And speaking of parties & get-togethers—Boy—did Mark have friends!

 

Last week, when I had to make the sad phone-calls—I realized again, that Mark’s friends were actually more of Mark’s brothers.

 

His friends were a joy to him—and the friendships were deep and lasted a lifetime.  They shared laughter and tears—had a great time.

 

In Spokane--The same “sorry group” got together at every opportunity—and I know that he had good friends here too.

 

All of his friends (his extra set of brothers) --will miss him terribly.

 

He would want you to keep getting together – to stay connected.

 

Mark was a fun guy—but he was also thoughtful and responsible.

 

 He cared about the deeper things.  He had priorities—he had values--took his family seriously—and he took his faith seriously. 

 

And that gives me a lot of comfort.

 

 

I’m not worried about where Mark is.  I KNOW where he is.

 

 

And he would want me to tell you not to worry about him—because he is with His Lord Jesus Christ.  Mark believed.

 

And THAT means everything to me.

 

 

So today—as you and I are missing Mark so much—what are we supposed to think about?

 

What are we supposed to do?

 

I think Mark would want the same thing he always did.

 

He would want more for us than to just somehow go on—and somehow survive this.

 

Yes--there will be grieving—some deep grieving.

 

But at some point—and it will happen at different times for each of us—

 

We know that Mark would want more from us—that he would expect more.

 

He would want us to keep moving forward

Get our priorities straight

Work to improve what we do

Even excel at it! 

 

Enjoy our work—our lives—our friends—our family.

 

Live with integrity—think through what we believe—take our faith seriously--get along with each other--be loyal, be encouraging, and most of all—be genuine.

 

That is how Mark lived—and he was a blessing to all of us.

 

                                                                                  -Grant Pfeifer, Mark’s brother.