He was the son of Hendrick Rillen and Monica Rillen. Born on January 25, 1969, in Brooklyn, NY.
While attending junior high at Saint Saviour in Brooklyn he loved playing chess, a game he was excellent at, which he learned early in his childhood. During junior high, he continued playing the piano. An instrument he practiced and enjoyed since the age of 9 years old.
Mark was gifted in chemistry and mathematics while at Brooklyn Technical High School. When he had free time from school he loved playing tennis and hanging out with his childhood and lifelong friends.
Further applying his skill in math and chemistry he earned a degree in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology).
Georgia Tech for Mark was a great place to showcase his outgoing and fun loving personality. Joining the fraternity Phi Kappa Theta he broke racial barriers and made friendships that would last a lifetime. Going to school on campus also made it easy for him to enjoy two sports he loved immensely, basketball and American football. Both as a spectator and hobbyist.
After working as a chemical engineer for a few years he desired to make a career change and pursue finance. Mark got his MBA degree in finance from Michigan University. He attained a great love for dancing while at graduate school where partook as a dancer in various dance exhibitions organized by the school. A hobby he continued to enjoy later on in life. During the process of earning his MBA he entered an international student exchange program located in Copenhagen. While there he met many students from all over the world and on his spare time traveled to various parts of Europe achieving a deep love and appreciation for the different cultures he encountered.
Although his initial jobs in finance were in New York City as an analyst, his desire to return to Europe never waned. Eventually, getting jobs in finance as a consultant in London.
In London, he was dedicated to his family who enjoyed walking the hills in the English countryside and having outdoor picnics.
While working in Europe he also enjoyed taking trips to Southern Europe particularly Croatia, his wife’s homeland. He dreamed of retiring there, living on a boat.
As a loving father to Apollo Rillen, he taught his son basketball, baseball, American football, math, and chess. He instilled in his son the same passion he had for music and the performing arts.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of his fandoms in sports and pop culture that gave him so much joy in life. The Dallas Cowboys and New York Mets were the two professional sports teams he loved the most. Almost anything related to Star Trek, Star Wars, and Marvel Comics he adored. I am sure if he didn’t pursue careers in engineering and finance he would have been an actor as he loved reciting and acting out scenes from various movies and shows that he enjoyed.
Even though his life was cut short and he had so much more to give to others I know he would not want us to grieve for him but rather pray for him.
He is survived by his mother (Monica Rillen), brother (Hendrik Rillen), wife (Linda Rillen), and son (Apollo Rillen).
We will miss him dearly, but we know he will continue to live on in eternal peace in the next life.
Thank you for the countless wonderful memories, Mark.
Rest in peace son, brother, father, and husband.
Hendrik, Monica, Linda, and Apollo
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