Mary Ann -- 
It was my privilege to get to know Mark during the two years that your time, and Mark's, overlapped with my time in Warsaw.  ... My privilege to know you both there and afterwards.  Such a wonderful man and co-worker: I have many good memories.  May he rest in peace. 

Dave Beatty

Mary Ann,

Some people are in your life for a season and some people are in your life for a reason. Mark was my supervisor and my mentor. He helped mold me as an senior NCO and also as a civil servant. But most of all, I will cherish what he has taught me.   He was a friend and a person I could count on through thick and thin. I shall always treasure and honor the time we shared and the memories we made, but above all I shall always remember that it was an honor to serve with  and work for CW5 Mark Pickenstein .

SMSgt Retired Ann Walker

Mary Ann:
  I am so saddened by Mark’s untimely passing and your loss – far too early in your retirement together.  For many years in the sunset of our both our careers in Germany Mark was my stalwart confident, sage advisor, go-to DAS expert, and a force for stability during the chaos of wartime operations and combat deployments.  But most importantly, Mark was a true friend that was always there with an uplifting word and an indefatigable spirit.  Rita and I send our heartfelt deepest condolences and sympathies to you Mary Ann.  Our prayers are with you.  Fair winds and following seas, Mark – you were an outstanding soldier, but to me you were the best of shipmates.  It was my honor to serve with you.
Don and Rita Meyer

Oh the many memories I have of Mark.  I met Mark while stationed in Germany.  He was my supervisor for 6 1/2 years and him and Mary Ann became mine and my daughter's family.  He was a special man and to know him was to know life in itself.  We had many ups and downs but the ups definitely outweighed the downs.  He was a very humble man and always had the best interests of his friends at heart.  I can't say enough about him but that I truly loved him and will dearly miss him.  Mark, may you find peace and comfort in God's holy place and Lord's Will  we will meet again.  Until that day, Rest In Peace my dear friend.



Dear, MaryAnn,
When I first met Mark at Kent State University, I didn’t know I would end up marrying one of his dearest friends. Nor, did I know that he would be The Godfather of our Doug, and that my kids would love, honor, and appreciate him as such an amazing example of a true patriot, and fellow Army veteran.

Frank and I will forever treasure our time in the villages with you and last year‘s Baltic cruise. We almost didn’t go because we had been traveling a lot that summer. I am so grateful for the memories. I always loved Mark’s laugh, his wisdom, and his kindness.
Peace and love, Pam

Maryann,
My heart aches for you and your family right now. I always enjoyed talking with Mark, truly one of God's special children. His life was such an adventure novel, one of high integrity and service. 
Know I continue to pray for your family, may God give you strength and peace over the next few days.  Hugs.   Kathy Bennett

Mary Anne,

Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family at this time of Mark’s passing.  Over our many years in the DAS, Dal and I often recalled how our first tour in Delhi was the “hook” which kept going.  We’ve always credited you and Mark for this experience and for setting an example to emulate of how to conduct ourselves as representatives of our nation.  He was an inspiration to me and to all who served with him.  He is missed.

RIP Mark.
My condolences to Maryann and the Pickenstein family.  When I was first starting up the Defense Attache Support Office (DASSO), I spoke with Mark.  As I was responsible for coordinating opening of so many new DAOs, I couldn't give each of them the personal attention they needed and had to call on other Warrants for help.  Mark never said no.  He, when possible, would go himself or send one of his trusted NCO's.  Without that kind of willingness to help, we couldn't have had the success we had opening all those stations and provide them continuing assistance.  As others have said, he was caring and there for you if you needed his help or advice.

I was saddened to hear that we have lost another wonderful  DAS person.  I have fond memories of you both - you two were a wonderful team and I thank you for all that you did for the folks in the Attaché  System.  

My dear MaryAnn,  Derek and I were devastated to hear the news of Mark’s death.  We still have such fond memories of our time with you both at DAO Warsaw when we both were there as REDTRAIN augmentees.  Knowing that I had an interest in making a career in the Defense Attaché System, he gave me assignments to groom me and prepare me for the training and rigor of this specialty.  He was a true mentor and supporter as I entered the DAS and then continued on to become a Warrant Officer.  His influence on the DAS remains to this day, and he was truly one of the finest officers I’ve known.  Please know we are both sending you big hugs and will be thinking of you this season, which we can imagine will not be easy for you.  

RIP  Mark
I started working with Mark in the   the 1980’s. What a joy. He always was there to help both Attaches and support staff.  When I asked him what he personally needed the answer was don’t worry about me.  He will be missed

Such a sad loss.  I worked closely with Mark on many occasions.  By closely, I mean we were most of the time 4500+ miles apart and communicated through messages, emails and phone calls -- such was the nature of our business -- and he always treated me with kindness and respect.  I wish that in our far flung careers we could have had more in person contact.

Mary Ann, please accept our sincerest condolences.  And to Mark, thank you for your service to our nation and to your fellow man.  

Rest in Peace.

God bless you, Mark! May you rest in eternal peace. 

Thanks to Mark, I met his sister, Jo Ann, and we were together for nearly 50 years until her death in 2016. She loved and admired her brother! We all shared many laughs together through the years. 

My condolences to Maryann, Leslie and the Pickenstein family. 

John Hayes

I am so saddened to hear of Mark's passing. As a fellow Defense Attaché System Chief Warrant Officer, I regularly collaborated with Mark during our service and cherished his sage advice.  He was one of our best and helped shape our collective contributions to the profession and the defense of our nation. 

Mary Ann, please accept my heartfelt condolences.  Mark was an absolute professional and a fine colleague - it was always an honor and a pleasure serving and working with him.


Mark had a profound impact on my family and career.

While Mark (Chief) was serving as Chief, Army Attaché Management, I was being assessed as a new Warrant Officer.  During my training at Fort Rucker, my wife gave birth to our 3rd son, who had a disability that prevented him from walking, among other issues. My wife and I were convinced this was going to be the end of my career in the Defense Attaché System (DAS), and maybe even have to leave the Army, because of the assignment requirements for the DAS.  

Mark was tracking the situation, and one day while I was in language training, he called our apartment, and spoke with my wife.  He asked her "What would you think about going to Berlin?" He said "I just PCS'd from Germany and have done some research, and I believe there is a hospital in Berlin that might be able to help your son". When I returned home, my ecstatic wife told me of the conversation (that I still remember verbatim 23-years later) and we immediately accepted the new assignment. That conversation won the allegiance of my wife to the DAS program...forever! That hospital Mark mentioned was walking distance from our assigned house in Berlin, and they performed a critical surgery that did enable our son to walk...who is now finishing his senior year in college.  It was a critical moment in our family's life, that was turned from tragedy to miraculous because of God's mercy, and Mark's compassion.  Our family still talks  about that phone call...who in the Army would reach out and include a spouse in such a decision...only Mark...and we are still thankful to him.

Maryann, we are praying for you and your family, and look forward to seeing Mark again in glory!

Mary Ann and Family, Tanja and I are forever grateful for the gift of friendship Mark shared with us. Mark's gregarious voice still rings true in our memories. I remember him as being a great boss,  mentor, friend and humble person. I enjoyed hearing about some of his exploits while assigned to the DAS, especially a story he told of  receiving dental care while stationed in Warsaw, Poland. I remember him laughing about being sent to a dentist practicing out of an old Eastern Block apartment building with no working elevator, inviting Mark into his apartment and asking if he wanted his tooth fixed with or without pain meds, Mark laughed and said he happily paid the roughly $2 for Novocain instead of having his tooth drilled without pain meds as some of the Poles did. Gone to soon my friend, you'll not be forgotten... Ray Peterson

What a delight it was to find out our neighbors were a retired Army warrant officer family like ourselves.  We have enjoyed getting to know you both and wish we would have had more time with Mark.  He will be greatly missed.

Mark and Maryann are great neighbors here in Florida. I really enjoyed talks with Mark about the past, the future, and what was going on in the world. I will miss him very much. 

Dan Sullivan

Mark has been a very good friend since he and Mary Ann moved to Springboro.  He became my Hallmark movie buddy and we always watched Christmas ones together.   We shared many conversations about faith, music and relationships. He definitely became like family to me just like Mary Ann is family to me.  
I am blessed to call him friend. He will be missed so much.   He is soaring like an Eagle in Heaven!  Love you Mark.

Dear MaryAnn,
I was saddened to hear of Mark's passing.  May God grant you peace of heart and may Mark rest in the arms of the Lord.  
My sincere sympathys,
Elise Brennan

Mark was a member of the church I grew up attending  in Uhrichsville, First Christian Church.  I remember him well as being intelligent, intense and a great young man.

Maryann,
So sorry for your loss. Although I didn’t know Mark well,  I very much enjoyed talking with him in your home.
Happy you had a long and interesting life together, although it’s never  enough time. 
God Bless, Vickie 



OBITUARY

Mark D Pickenstein

April 6, 1949 – December 4, 2020

Anderson Funeral Home

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