Mark used to call on my Spokane insurance agency and I was sad to read of his death. Mark was always excited and entertaining and even found humor in the insurance business. I can see from the comments of family and close friends that he was deeply loved and my thoughts are with you.

Tom Porter

Of my memories and thoughts about Mark, and what to share, I keep coming back to a time we met up in the Cleveland airport and I first really got to know him.

Some time ago, I was traveling back from Progressive's Cleveland office. I was sitting in the airport, waiting though some big long delay when I hear "Hey there!". I looked up and see Mark walking over towards me. At the time, I knew Mark a bit from the office (actually, I believe it's been proven impossible for anyone to be in a room with Mark and not meet him!) but up to then we had been mostly limited to insurance talk. Anyway, he says something about good to see you and the big long delay ahead of us and then "come on, let's get out of here and go relax somewhere". So we go to a frequent flyer lounge area (who knew those existed?) and sat and talked for an hour or more while we were waiting. I wish I could say I remember everything we talked about, but what I do remember is that I laughed a lot. Eventually, we boarded the plane and headed for Chicago. When I finally got off from the back of the plane in Chicago, ready for yet another long layover, I look up and there he is . . . waiting … "Come on…" he says. So we spent another er hour or so talking & laughing. Even now, thinking of that day, makes me smile.

In the years since, I have encountered Mark many times. Through my daily interactions working with Maureen, I have continued to hear many "Mark stories". I feel so fortunate to have known Mark and to have witnessed his joy for life and the impact he had on his friends and family. I am going to miss him. I will miss the "Mark stories" that were yet to be. I know there will be a smile on my face each time I think of him.

Karen Stinson

It was always a pleasure when Mark would call on our office. Everyone looked forward to his visits. Although it has been some time since he worked in our area, we all remember his smile, his laugh and his enthusiasm for everything he did.

All of us here have his family in our thoughts and prayers.
 
Kim W. Impecoven
President, Blasingame Insurance Agency
Spokane Valley, WA

My name is Bill Davis. Mark and I went to school together where we became friends.  It is hard to say goodbye to "Snake", and after all these years since I last talked to him I am still compelled to say something about him.  Mark would always say what was on his mind. He was very direct and genuine and had a great sense of humor.  When he was fielding questions at the school assembly as his alter-ego "Snake" after a lengthy question and a long pause he said "You didn't say 'Please Mr. Snake'. Next question."

Mark was definitely a trend setter, because he was not that worried about what other people thought about him.  He did his own thing.  I admired him for that.  Writing this and trying to put my finger on what it was about Mark that endeared so many people to him is difficult.  I think it comes down to he was just one of those souls that was honest, and real, and caring.
 
In 1983, at our ten year reunion, I spent most of my time with Mark remembering some of the things we did together. Driving his dad's 914 Porsche, a Halloween party at his house, watching him try bare foot skiing, going to basketball games, watching "All in the Family" at his house.  Simple things that friends do that add up to fond memories of a great guy. Mark, I miss ya, you big clutz.

Bill Davis

One day thirteen years ago - out of the blue I received a call..."Hey Hippie I'm in the area, I thought I would swing through Minneapolis for the weekend". "In the area" to Mark meant within 750 miles. I picked him up at the airport. "Hey Hoser it is good to see you!" I am glad to learn that I wasn't the only one he called Hoser. As we drove out of the parking lot he immediately got out an electric razor and started shaving in my car. He had heavy beard growth which needed to be shaved a few times a day.

Later that night I announced to Mark and my Sister that I had become engaged to be married the previous day. It seemed that he was even more excited than I was! He was genuinely happy for me. Mark really cared about us all. The next morning, I awoke to running water. Mark was in the bathroom. The water kept running…and running… 20 minutes…30 minutes...Mark must have been shaving again. He did love the water. If there wasn't a lake around, he would just create one in my bathroom sink.

A year later, Mark arrived again, this time with his family to attend our wedding. Mary and Bud, Grant and Melody came also. This made the day extra special for Maria and me.

Aside from his family, the finest sight in the world to Mark was a smooth lake. I mean perfectly smooth, not even the slightest ripple. Even if he didn't plan to water ski, the potential for a perfect ski run was there for us to dream about. He once told me that his fancy Malibu ski boat didn't have the exact perfect wake for water skiing, and that he might have to "trade 'er in". He was striving for perfection.

Mark wouldn't want us to spend too much time being sad. That would simply use up too much valuable time and energy that each one of us could spend reaching for our own passions as he did with water skiing and with life.

Mark I love you dearly, we won't forget the lessons you taught to all of us.

David Moberg
Mark's Cousin

Being Mark's only sister gives me a title I'm glad I don't have to share. It makes me special and I love that, just like I love Mark. I have 3 brothers: Mark, Grant and Jay. I tell everyone I meet that. I am so proud of all of them. When I was little being a "Pfeifer" was everything to me. Mark was the leader of the pack. He was the one who just got things done. He was a problem solver. I went to him when I needed advice and he would give it....the good, the bad and the ugly. He loved me through it all. As happy as we were to have him for our brother; he was just as happy to have us as his family. His kind heart and generous way was enjoyed by everyone that knew him. He was truly a blessing. I have been so afraid that I have lost him, but now I know he will never be lost and he will always be there. If we haven't met, "Hi, my name is Stephanie and I have 3 wonderful brothers."

Stephanie Beaudry
Mark's sister

Mark, you are dearly missed by the Moberg family, your aunt, uncle and cousins. But you will be in our memories forever. We think of the fun times we had with you at Liberty Lake watching you water ski, you were the greatest. At the Moberg home in Golden Valley and on the boat, Our Paddd, on the St. Croix River. When you and your two lovely children visited us on Siesta Key. Mark, thanks for all the wonderful memories.

Uncle Don and Auntie Pat

I feel compelled to write something about Mark for you that were closest to him. A few thoughts from one of the countless people whose life Mark unknowingly touched each day.

"He's a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction." The Pilgrim, Kris Kristofferson.

Mark always treated me with respect and as a "buddy" rather than a co-worker. He always had a smile on his face and a bounce in his step and greeted me with, "What's up hippie?" Until the other day, I thought he called me that because I'm probably the polar opposite of a hippie.

My favorite memory of Mark was spending a day with him in Vegas visiting agents. As we were driving, we started naming each song as fast as we could. I named the first few very quickly and I could see he was impressed. I soon noticed he stopped competing and seemed to be testing me. As he switched from song to song, station to station we ran the complete spectrum of musical styles and history. He seemed delighted with this trivial ability. I know he could have named the songs just as easily but he let me take center stage and I was very proud of myself. That was Mark's great gift, he made people around him feel special. Mark was warm, genuine, charming, unassuming and a lot of fun to hang out with. I will miss him.

Mark Nakata

My recent privilege has been to be a Pre-K teacher/caregiver for Morgan at the Teddy Bear Inn in El Dorado Hills.

I most often enjoyed noting Mark's whimsical ties. His gentle hugs, kisses, and sillies for his "Cessa" (Morgan) to have a great start to a new day I hold in my heart.

Happy thoughts,
"Miss" Tonya