Obituary of Mark David Brumley

Mark David Brumley of Scholls, Oregon, passed away on May 14th at home in view of the maple trees and flowers he planted and nurtured for decades.  Mark loved exploring new places, was always game to see where a road might take him, or to follow a new trail on a map, but his favorite place to be was at home; He was 64.

 

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, he first learned to love the outdoors while fishing and hiking with his father and developed a lifelong passion for golf through his childhood jobs as caddy and groundskeeper at a local golf course.  After moving to Oregon in 1984, Mark expanded his outdoor pursuits to include cross country skiing and mountain climbing.  He deeply enjoyed sharing what he knew and loved as a climb leader with the Mazamas.

 

Mark met his wife on a blind date after which they each concluded the other was nice, but the relationship held little promise.  They were both proved wrong as they were married for nearly thirty years, raised two daughters, and enjoyed countless adventures as a family that nearly always included an element of the outdoors and at least one dog.

 

Mark was curious and creative and applied those characteristics to his work as a chemical engineer, to gardening and fishing, and to investing.  He loved to solve problems and to plan projects and relished providing detailed explanations of his endeavors to anyone who would listen.  His genuine and unpretentious approach to life was consistent.  People could count on Mark to be himself.

 

Mark enjoyed many accomplishments in his life, but it was in his daughters, Dana and Hanna, that he found the deepest pride and satisfaction. He believed that in raising his girls to be kind, compassionate, and confident women he had made a lasting and positive contribution to the world.  He fully supported them to be themselves and to pursue their unique passions and liked nothing more than hearing from them about their latest pursuits.

 

Mark is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife, Joyce Woods, and his daughters, Dana Brumley (Rob) of Portland and Hanna Woods of Los Angeles.  Mark’s mother-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law, and niece and nephews were dear to him and mourn his passing. He is also survived by his mother, Margery Brumley; sister, Janet Brumley; and several aunts and cousins. Mark leaves behind an extensive network of friends (“family you choose”, according to Mark) that he treasured.

 

Contributions in Mark’s memory can be made to the Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care at OHSU.  His family hopes that the Center’s research efforts toward early detection of pancreatic cancer may provide hope in fighting this cruel disease.

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