Robert Dirk van der Mark

With deep sorrow we announce the tragic death of our beloved Robert D. van der Mark (Bob) on April 13, 2025, at the age of 65, after a valiant battle with cancer. Bob was born on May 25,1959 in East Setauket, New York to Dirk van der Mark, who predeceased him, and Patricia (Anderson) van der Mark who survives him. He was predeceased by his brother; Jon Willem van der Mark (Jack). He is survived by his wife, Shari (Simberkoff) van der Mark and his children, Derek, and Kaia van der Mark.

Bob graduated from Ward Melville High School in 1977, and went on to earn an associate’s degree in computer science from Suffolk County Community College in 1981. His first entrepreneurial venture was a music production studio in Central Islip, Long Island, called Legend Studios. The studio quickly became a gem for local musicians, and even discovered Grammy winning rap artist Craig Mack. Bob became recognized as a superb producer and sound engineer by the many musicians who recorded with him. Some of Bob’s best work can be heard on tracks by the renowned rock band Grimm Jack.

After closing the studio in 1996, he worked as a computer consultant for Dynax IT Services at various financial institutions. Bob spent the majority of his computer career working at Merrill Lynch where he was a VP, Systems Engineer, overseeing software lifecycle management for traders.

While the children were still in elementary school, Bob decided to become a stay-at-home father. He became the caretaker for the family while Shari worked full time. Bob turned himself into an expert chef and a busy chauffeur for their two talented and athletic children deeply involved in extracurricular activities scattered around the area. He was active in the Greenburgh School System, influencing school programs and at one time helping to save the music curriculum. This was a period of time when Bob was able to indulge his many interests. He competed in numerous triathlons and half IronMan races, was an avid mountain biker, and took part in most any activity that involved movement and effort. Bob approached his endeavors with dedication and he excelled in all he did. Music was never far from his mind and the sound of his guitar and drum-set accompanied many family gatherings.

As the children became transportation independent, he attended Fullstack Academy in New York City for full time Coding Bootcamp planning to return to the corporate world. The pull of music and sound engineering proved to be too strong. At 60, Bob returned to college at Berklee School of Music and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Songwriting and Producing Music, Summa Cum Laude. Bob turned his garage and basement into an elaborate, professional studio and soon he was recording again. Studio Code Blue became a magnet for local musicians, some of whom worked with Bob from his Legend Studios days and were gratified to have him back where they thought he belonged.

Artists such as Joey Berkley, Spiritual Sickness, and the notorious punk rock band Reagan Youth have all released albums or songs with Bob in recent years. Bob’s daughter Kaia and other up and coming artists will continue his legacy, using his studio to produce music.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Bob‘s memory to the General Scholarship Fund at Berklee. Tribute gifts may be made at: https://college.berklee.edu/giving/make-gift