Mark James Kasper was born on December 18, 1955 to Norma and Larry Kasper in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As the oldest of his two brothers, he was a best friend, role model and ultimate “big brother.” His siblings looked up to him for help and advice. Mark was always there for his younger brothers and looked after them in a protective and caring way. Later in adult life, Mark showed this same protective and caring behavior toward his mother, Norma. After Mark’s father, Larry, passed away, he made a point to call his mother almost daily.
Mark attended elementary and middle school in Lebanon, Ohio. He excelled in school, music, and sports. At the age of twelve while attending grade school at St. Francis De Sales Catholic School, he was recruited to play organ at a daily mass before class! Music played a central role throughout Mark’s life. In addition to playing the piano and organ, he learned to play the guitar. Mark played in several groups as a guitarist, not to mention playing with his brothers “family band:” Mark on guitar, Scott on bass and Todd on drums. As an adult, Mark was an accomplished pianist and musician. He played in numerous local bands in the Seattle area.
As an athlete, Mark was bigger than most children his age so as a baseball player, he was the guy who was known for hitting a home run. During high school in St. Louis, Missouri, he was a starting running back for the school football team, and once scored four touchdowns in one game! In 1973, Mark and his family moved to Mercer Island Washington. He attended his senior year at Mercer Island high School where he graduated in 1974. Some kids may have had trouble adjusting to be being the “new kid” at school during their senior year, but Mark took it all in stride. His infectious personality made it easy for him to make friends and being a star football player did not hurt either!
After high school, Mark returned to the Midwest where he attended the University of Notre Dame studying Pre-Med. He developed lifelong friendships with his college roommates who grew to appreciate Mark’s great capacity to joyously love and care for people. Marks’s dedication to his studies was phenomenal as was his devotion to keeping a smile on your face. He was a Star Trek fanatic with nearly total recall of certain episodes. He created a playful vocabulary for the mundane. If you looked sleepy in the morning, you were “grogged.” If you were unnecessarily worried, he would call you a “pup,” and coffee was referred to as “nerve juice.”
After earning his undergraduate degree in 1978, Mark went on to attend medical school at the University of Washington where he graduated with honors in 1982 specializing in Internal Medicine. After medical School, Mark completed his residency in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He eventually moved to Miami, Florida where he practiced medicine for twelve years. He was a part of a large and very busy internal medicine group. He built a successful practice and was on staff at a whopping twelve hospitals in the vicinity of Miami!
In 1994, Mark moved back to Mercer Island, Washington. Where he worked for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma, Washington. In addition, he spent several years managing patients in clinical trials where he gained invaluable knowledge and experience. Mark practiced internal medicine for over 39 years. He dedicated eleven of those years to Swedish serving their eastside patients and providing leadership as a Regional Medical Director. He rapidly built a busy practice through a combination of approachability, superb clinical skills, good judgement, and hard work. Mark was not known as just a colleague, or a doctor; he was a friend to all. He built genuine and sincere connections that when he entered a room, you found comfort in his presence. He loved practicing medicine and took great pride in caring for his patients.
Mark was a gifted counselor to friends through difficult times. A world class listener, he was quiet and calming. He would never steer in a direction. Instead, he provided thoughtful insights so you could figure things out for yourself and be at peace with a way forward. He brought this ability to his practice as a physician. His patients adored everything about how he not only provided care, but how he personally cared about them as people.
In 2001, Mark met the love of his life, Brenda. She loved his warm smile, infectious laugh, witty personality, exceptional intelligence, love for adventure, calming nature, loving spirit, and not to forget, his good looks! It only took one date for Brenda to be head of over heels for Mark. They saw each other every day for the thirteen months before they married in September of 2002. They had an intimate wedding in a small Maui beach chapel with only their family and closest friends. The happy couple enjoyed many adventures together in the Hawaiian Islands. They were both health enthusiasts, loved the outdoors and especially loved spending time on the water. Mark was very supportive of his wife’s educational and athletic endeavors. He was her biggest fan and when it came to goal setting, he encouraged her to reach for the stars. Mark was always excited for Brenda’s next big triathlon or marathon, and the adventure that would soon follow. Brenda said, “I am a better person for knowing and loving Mark. He is the best person to have ever come into my life, and I can’t imagine this life without him.” Brenda and Mark remained by each other's side through all of life's ups and downs bolstered by a central theme of love and respect for each other. Their love and compatibility were a rarity. They were together for nearly 20 years.
Mark was a beloved member of his wife’s family. He found his way into their hearts and fit into the family like a newly minted piece of the puzzle. Mark’s devotion to his family did not go unnoticed. He made many annual long late-night trips for Thanksgiving and Christmas to Northeast Washington to bring Brenda safely home to her family. For the 4th of July, he would drive her to his and our favorite summer cabin in Priest Lake, Idaho for a week of boating, water skiing, swimming, and hiking. When at the cabin, Mark was in charge of the BBQ when it came to grilling steaks to perfection!
Mark was an awesome uncle! One of Madison, Morgan and Kate’s fondest memories was Mark acting like a giant ant. Upon arrival for a visit, he would walk through the front door waving his arms in the air, running toward them yelling, “the ant is here!” The girls would start screaming and laughing as they ran throughout the house with Mark chasing close behind. He was always a good sport about being brave enough to be pulled on the innertube behind the boat with his nieces. He had the biggest smile on his face as he was pulled and whipped around by the boat. Whether it was running Bloomsday (a yearly family tradition), hiking, swimming, a game of UNO, singing together, or sledding, (You should have seen him sledding!) he always took time to play and make memories with his nieces at every opportunity. Mark acted like a big kid when the girls were around, and loved making get togethers fun.
Mark lived his life to the fullest each day, not waiting for the future. In his free time, he loved to golf, he was an avid cyclist and snow skier. Mark always acted younger than he was and never missed an opportunity to experience what life had to offer. Just a few years ago, Mark, his wife Brenda and his much younger brother in-law, Ryan went on a 3-day ski adventure. They skied three ski resorts in 3 days and fun was had by all. As with every family adventure, Mark had no problem keeping up and enjoyed every minute of it. He was truly an inspiration!
Mark’s family will forever cherish the time they were blessed to have with him. He was a man who radiated surety about his life work and his faithfulness to God. He was a humble man and truly found grace that kept him from stumbling and falling. Mark avoided vain, empty hollow arguments at all costs. He was known for his ability to lean in with his big smile to engage in conversation with his unmatched listening skills. Mark was gentle, kind, and patient. He conveyed words of hope with certainty, like a light that shineth in the dark. Mark surely had the steps of a good man and strived to live his life by the Golden Rule.
Mark’s wife, family, friends, colleagues, and patients are deeply saddened by his sudden passing on January 14, 2021.
Mark was preceded in death by his father, (Larry Kasper, 2016). He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda Kasper, his mother, Norma Kasper and his brothers, Scott, and Todd Kasper along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws.
A talented, compassionate physician, a loving husband, son, brother, and friend, he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. As a man of faith, we take comfort in knowing that Mark has stepped into the light and is at home with his Creator. Until we can see him again in heaven, we will hold his memory close to our hearts. May we honor him by living our lives by the example set by Mark.
Due to the pandemic, there will be a private service. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association in Mark’s name. May his memory be a blessing!
Psalm 1:3
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
“Only a life lived in service to others is worth living.”
Albert Einstein
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