Mark Willstatter

On a sunny day in December, with his wife, Paula, sisters Karen and Nancy, and best mates at his side, Mark, a world traveler, began the next great journey too early due to Parkinson’s.

Growing up in Orangevale, California, Mark went on to graduate from Stanford University with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He had a career in disk drive development in the early days of Silicon Valley. Mark and Paula found each other and started their partnership, later marrying on Lake Tahoe. As a couple, both in high impact careers, they worked toward their mutual early retirements in order to explore the world together. And they did.

Mark approached the complexities of life with humor, gentleness, and an analytical mind. With his unique intellect and curiosity, he explored and experienced a wide range of interests in his life. Gifting homemade scones at Christmas, or an original watercolor card, exploring the world of wine both locally and abroad, or pouring a great wine from Amador Foothill Winery, Mark shared what he loved most. His great photographic eye captured his hikes through the Sierras, Cascades, and mountains of Europe. With his Cordon Bleu training, he treated his family and friends to one-of-a-kind repasts. Mark found joy in and on the water; from swimming, playing water polo, dragon boat racing to sailing.

On Whidbey Island, it was not uncommon to see Mark working at the Greenbank Farm Cottage Garden, where he put his Master Gardener’s expertise to great use, and further explored the world of vegetables at Kettles Edge Farm. It was a pleasant surprise to see this electrical engineer away from the world of technology and instead with a paintbrush, a hoe, or a carving knife or corkscrew in his hands, using all with dexterity.

Mark has left us-his family and friends-with a lifetime of good memories. It has been the greatest joy and privilege to have had him in our lives.