I knew Mark professionally.  He was a very caring and consciencious person, dedicated to what he was doing and to helping his "advisors" be the best they could be.

I have not been sure what to contribute to this section (especially since Daniel's first post pretty much sums it up for me as well), but I'd like to inlcude a couple paragraphs from a recent blog post, and maybe I'll add more later. One things for sure - the memories are not few. I'll start with this:

My dad is easily one of my best friends and my favorite people in the world. I loved how he would call me randomly just because something reminded me of him. A jazz club in NYC, a CD at Starbucks, a quick stop into Bucks County Outfitters where I used to work, a VW ad on TV, anything relating to Germany or Colorado or marketing or guitar or drums or scuba diving or dogs or the young single adults in the church branch he led etc. etc. etc. Most of the time when he’d call he’d refer to me as “speed dial #5.” I don’t know why, but I loved that. I wasn’t even #2 or #3 or #4, but I loved his nicknames. He’d call us “Shmagooflus” when we were kids, and beyond. And he’d call me “laoer” (Chinese for “the second eldest” son). He’d refer to himself as dad-dad-daddio (a Back to the Future reference for me, but probably more of a be-bopping jazz reference for him). I really miss him. I miss his face and his phone calls. I miss the way that we had turned into adult friends, and not just father over son. Fortunately, he lived life to the fullest and taught me to do so as well. That full life included many, many valuable memories with family which he has left with me. Almost everything reminds me of him now. More importantly, his shocking death solidified my conviction in the continuation of life and the eternal nature of our spirits. There’s a plan for us, no doubt.

I think I understood who he was in life, but the full realization of his mortal legacy was really forced upon us by his unexpected death. I’m grateful for that legacy and fully plan on continuing in his style and work as best I can.

Mark and I served in the Pleasant Hill 3rd Ward Bishopric in the early 1990's and we were close friends prior to this.  We had very similar interests including the outdoors, fly fishing, our families, and the gospel.  We regularly enjoyed getting together for family activities since our boys were close in age and also close in interests.

I gained an even closer relationship with Mark as we served together.  I enjoyed his upbeat can do attitude towards every situation.  He was always wise, caring, sincere, and thoughtful.  I know Mark loved his wife and boys above everything else.  He will certainly be cheering for them in every future situation.

I'll miss his warmth, humor, smile, and watching him bring in a nice trout on a beautiful stream.

I met Mark and his family some six years ago as I was investigating the church. They immediately took me in and lended me the support and love I needed to consider baptism.

Mark, along with Liz, Daniel, Eric, and Ian taught me many important things, however one of the greatest lessons I learned was that the family is a sublime, wonderful, and true thing.

One memory of the Forsyths' shining example was my 25th birthday. Mark, being the host of hosts insisted on having a birthday party on my behalf. I at first declined, because, frankly, I don't particularly like birthday parties. However, Mark didn't really give me an option to say no.

I have to say that that party was perhaps the best birthday party I had ever experienced in my life. The Forsyths know what they're doing. It was a simple party. Mark asked everyone he knew I knew to his house, and we began the festivities. The best part was that he asked everyone to say a kind word about me, in sort of a testimony style, and it was incredibly touching. I don't think I had ever heard so many people all at once say so many positive things about me. It was truly special.

I will miss Mark so much. He was always there for me, and helped me in ways I scarcely knew I needed help. He was a truly gifted man, and a wonderful example of what a father, husband, and priesthood holder should be like.

I love you Mark.