In Memoriam
I only knew Mark briefly, so I can’t tell the kind of heartwarming or funny stories about him that those who were closer to him or knew him longer have to share. But in those few weeks before the incident that I worked with him, his gentleness of spirit and quiet courage made a profound impression on me. I wanted to share the view I had of this good man; I worked with Mark directly for several weeks, and during that time I learned a little about Mark, and a lot from him. I learned he was a complex, intelligent, patient man who cared about others and cared about the world, enough to try to make it a better place despite the costs. The things I learned from him were more complex and esoteric, very much specific to where were we were and what we did, but he welcomed me into his team and to a certain extent he took me under his wing. Working with someone of his knowledge and experience, I was able to glean a lot, and it was a great benefit to me, as much of what we did was new to me. But Mark was a generous man, and I was not the only one to profit from his presence. Because of his knowledge, bravery, and character, Mark was one of (if not the most) well-liked men there: beloved of his team members and respected by all his peers.
It was only by chance that I happened to be assigned to work with another group that fateful night, and that in itself is a sobering reminder that life is not always balanced, logical or fair; there is always an element of chance. As they say, “rain falls on the just and the unjust”; Mark was certainly in the former category, but he also knew the risks he took and why he took them. Anyone who would say his death was in vain or a mistake misses the point and I think Mark would correct them on this. He knew what it was that he did, and why, and what it could cost, but he did it precisely because he DID know the cost: the cost of not doing it. Sacrifice is sometimes a part of life, and Mark knew this far better than most.
I mourn Mark’s passing, not with as much personal pain or loss as his family and loved ones, but as someone who briefly knew a good man whose passing made the earth a bit poorer. There is a Chinese proverb I found : “when a tiger dies, it leaves its skin behind. When a person dies, he leaves his name behind”. The name Mark left for himself will not be forgotten by anyone who knew him or was lucky enough to have him make an impact in their lives; such is the life of someone who has lived well, no matter where, when, or how they pass on. The world may be poorer for his passing, but we are all richer for having had Mark in our lives, and the world will be richer again if people see his example and follow it.