Mark Robert Wick

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mark Wick, a beloved father, husband, brother, and friend. Mark left this world peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and quiet generosity that touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Mark was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Robert and Dorothy Wick. Seven years later, he welcomed a younger sister, Lynne. He lived in Wisconsin for many years before pursuing his education and building a career in pathology. His professional journey eventually led him to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, where he met his future wife, Jane. Mark and Jane would then move to Charlottesville, Virginia where they raised their three children; Robert, Morgan, and Kellyn.

Mark was a steady presence in the lives of those he loved—someone who listened deeply, gave freely, and offered wisdom without ever demanding attention. Whether through his work, his friendships, or the simple, everyday moments he shared with others, he lived with a sincerity that made people feel valued and understood.

He cherished his family above all else. His guidance, humor, and unwavering support will be remembered with gratitude and love. Though words fall short of capturing the full measure of his life, the stories he leaves behind—of perseverance, compassion, and gentle humility—will continue to inspire those who knew him.

Mark is survived by his devoted wife, Jane Wick, and his children: Robert Wick and daughter-in-law Ali Wick; Morgan Wick and son-in-law Addison Cook; Kellyn Morris and son-in-law Stephen Reesey. He is also lovingly remembered by his granddaughter, Violet Reesey, who brought him immense joy.

Mark is also survived by his sister, Lynne Wick Thomas, her husband Steve Thomas, and their son, his nephew Quentin Thomas, all of whom held a cherished place in his heart.

Besides his deep love and dedication to family, Mark was among the elite of the pathology profession. He was a respected expert in surgical pathology with a worldwide network of colleagues and friends. He received a B.S. from Carroll College in 1974 and was there given the Tri-Beta Award for scholarship in biology. In 1978, he earned his M.D., cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin, and was elected to membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He was a resident in anatomic & clinical pathology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, from 1978 to 1983. Mark was the rare triple-boarded individual with subspecialty certification in Dermatopathology, Cytopathology and Transfusion Medicine.

After training, Dr. Wick joined the faculty in the department of laboratory medicine & pathology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He served as director of surgical pathology fellowship training and the diagnostic immunohistochemistry laboratory. In 1989, Wick moved to Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis, MO, as professor & director of surgical pathology. In 1996, he joined his long- term professional friends at the University of Virginia, where as professor of pathology, he managed the residency program, helped start and direct the Dermatopathology fellowship, and was recognized as the go-to expert in general surgical pathology as well as thoracic, soft tissue and dermatopathology. Mark published prolifically and widely in the pathology literature, including principal authorship or editorship of 20 textbooks and more than 400 peer reviewed publications. He was a Master of the American Society for Clinical Pathology, a Fellow of the College of American Pathologists, and a member of many other professional societies. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Clinical Pathology from 1990 to 2012, and he was the Editor-in-Chief of Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology from 2013 to 2020. He was also a sought-after member of numerous other medical journal editorial boards. Mark was past president of the Association of Directors of Anatomic & Surgical Pathology and the Society for the History of Pathology.

At the end of 2019, Mark retired from the University of Virginia and joined his colleagues at PRW Laboratories, the private practice he helped form in 2011. He continued to work there as a local and consulting expert until the Spring of 2025, when his illness caused him to spend his final months focused on and with family.

A gathering to honor and celebrate Mark’s life will be held at a later date. Until then, the family encourages friends to remember him in their own meaningful ways—whether through quiet reflection, sharing memories, or performing acts of kindness in his honor. May his memory bring comfort and serve as a lasting blessing to all who grieve his loss.