Mark Weldon Bates

Mark Bates completed his Christian tour of duty on earth peacefully on September 19, 2022. Mark was born on August 14, 1934, in Bloomington, Illinois to Ralph E. and Margaret "Porgie" B. (nee Weldon) Bates. He was an alumnus of St. Athanasius School and St. George High School in Evanston, IL He graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in journalism in 1956. Mark married the love of his life Janet (nee Fjellberg) on January 5, 1957. They had a glorious life together until Janet's passing on July 28, 2017. Mark is survived by his children, Mike (Sue), Scott, and Anne Glassow (Marcus). He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Tom Bates, Betsy (Chris Stevens), Andy Bates (Hanna), Emily Bates (Andy Berlein), Laura Bates, Camryn Bates, Marcus Glassow (Adena), Kelsey (Grady Garrison), and Brittany as well as nine great-grandchildren: Michael Bates-McGowan; Daisy and Blake Glassow; Adeline Garrison, Noah Bates, Jack Stevens, Ted Bates, Ben Stevens and Harlan Bates-Berlein. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all. Mark had an illustrious career in fundraising and institutional advancement. When he and Janet lived in Evanston, Mark worked for Northwestern University, Illinois Institute of Technology (three tours!), the American Fund for Dental Health, and the College of St. Francis. In 1985, he and Janet moved to St. Louis and Mark served both the College of Law and the Medical Center of Washington University in St. Louis. Mark retired as Vice President for Development for Maryville University at age 65 in 1999. He then launched a successful consulting practice providing effective counsel to several local St. Louis and national not-for-profit organizations, large and small. He continued consulting until 2015. In 2019, Mark moved to Bend, Oregon where he could pursue his passion of looking at the mountains and spend time with his daughter Anne and her family. Mark's hobby was his wife and family. He had no interest in golf, fishing, carpentry, and "puttering around the house" and the like. He did enjoy a good book, a strong gin and tonic or old fashioned, a meal out with family and friends, going to the movies, listening to crooners the likes of Perry Como, Andy Williams, Glenn Yarbrough, Andrea Bocelli, and Tony Bennett, and watching MASH (the early seasons), as well as Police Woman, Cannon, and Matlock. Mark was fond of what Mark Twain said about death: "I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it." Mark's family and friends can take solace in that pearl of American wisdom! A memorial service and celebration of Mark's rich, full life will be held at a later date. Interment at Ridgewood Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL. The Bates family asks that memorial donations be directed to St. Athanasius School, 2510 Ashland Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201.

Tributes

Mark Weldon Bates

August 14, 1934 - September 19, 2022