Mark Schickner

Mark Charles Schickner, age 73, passed away on August 10th in Marietta, GA, due to complications from a fall. He was a devoted husband, father and friend, and will be sorely missed by friends and family across the country. He was simply the best human with the biggest heart and the biggest laugh.

He adored his family and was adored in return. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Campbell Schickner, and they were inseparable for 58 years. His children were his greatest blessings - Katie Ferguson and Kyle Campbell Schickner - and he was so grateful that they lived nearby. He loved their spouses, Eddie Ferguson and Emily Tuttle Schickner, and his granddaughters, Anna

Campbell Ferguson, Sarah Katherine Ferguson, and Evelyn Valent Schickner. He was the best PopPop, Daddy, Pops, and Marker. He cared so much about his brother, Neil Schickner, and sister, Lee Ann Kelly, and their families: Abbe and Lindsey Schickner, Laurie Levin, Walt and Liam Kelly, and Amanda Lockwood and McKenna Steidinger. He was always there for Barb’s sisters, Pattie Campbell and Susan Campbell (Jim Kegebein), and had a special bond with his niece, Allison Campbell White. Extended family members in Colorado were also the closest of friends: Barry and Linda Talley and their children and grandchildren, Amy, Ronnie, Riley, Remy and Talley Volk; and Mandy, Jeff, Barrett and Nolan Halsey.

His was a life truly well-lived. He was born in Cincinnati, OH, on April 19, 1950, to Bonnie and Harold Schickner. He was gifted both academically and athletically, and after graduating from Wyoming High School he received a Congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated in1972, after playing football, lacrosse, and basketball for Navy. No description of Mark’s career at Navy would be complete without mentioning ‘the game’ versus Army, where he had four interceptions in an upset win, a record that still stands. Somewhere in his desk is the USNA promo video featuring “Destiny’s Stepchild,” and his friends and family laughed about that for years. He was on the National Championship lacrosse team and also played varsity basketball. The Naval Academy meant a lot of things to ‘Schick,’ but what endured were his friendships and the bonds they forged. The crew from Shady Grove in Annapolis remain some of his dearest friends.

Upon graduation, Mark began his military service in the US Marine Corps, serving at the Naval Academy Prep School; the Basic School in Quantico, VA; Camp Pendleton, CA; and overseas in Okinawa and Korea. He retired as a Captain after five and a half years of service.

He had a very successful career in real estate development and home building, before retiring at age 57. It wasn’t supposed to be retirement - just a “year of adventure” - but the adventure never ended. He was the happiest retired person ever. He loved to golf, but he REALLY loved fly fishing …. either the Toccoa River in GA or the Roaring Fork, Colorado, Frying Pan, or Arkansas rivers in CO. He shared his love of fishing with Kyle and so many of his friends, with Jim and his buddies in GA, and with friends and family in CO. When he wasn’t with family, he was happiest on the river. He was an avid reader with a wealth of knowledge about even the most obscure subjects; he was wise and inquisitive and loved to tell you about the books he was currently reading. If Barb couldn’t sleep at night, she’d wake him and say “tell me what you’re reading.” And he would. He loved to travel internationally with Barb, Ron and Obie; you could hear those two tall, graying old guys with the big laughs from blocks away. A trip to Normandy and Omaha Beach, where Barb’s Dad had fought, was especially significant to him.

Mark was unbelievably patient, calm, and the absolute best sport. When Katie and Barb first started their business, he’d shake his head and then climb on a ladder to hang grapevine and twinkle lights, or watch the granddaughters during meetings. He dressed as Dumbledore on Harry Potter movie nights; he wore silly costumes to entertain the girls; he sang the Marine Corps Hymn to put them to sleep; and he’d laugh his booming laugh at their antics.

He was a genuinely good man, in every way; a man of honor and integrity. He walked the walk, always accepting and seeing the best in people and treating them with respect and care. Mark volunteered at the Cobb County Veterans Court, as part of a judicially supervised treatment plan with health care professionals, veteran care professionals, and veteran peer mentors.

He gave of himself without a moment’s pause, always putting others first. He touched so many, and was always a steady, comforting presence. We are inspired to be better because of knowing Mark, and we are blessed to have loved him and been loved by him.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mark’s memory can be made to a Veterans charity of choice; links to follow. To honor Mark, arrangements are being made to celebrate his life in Atlanta, Annapolis, and Colorado. For now, he’s “gone fishin!”

Arrangements: H.M. Patterson & Son, Canton Hill Chapel, Marietta GA 30068