Mark E. Kirchner

On December 21, 2010, Mark E. Kirchner died peacefully at his home on Mercer Island after a long battle with lung disease. He was 84. He is survived by his wife Mary Lu, sons Scott and Brad Kirchner and daughter, Terri Patoto, her husband, Tony and Mark’s four grandchildren Caitlin, Michael, Madison and Finlay Patoto. He was born in Hampton, Virginia. He attended high school in Great Neck, NY where he earned his Eagle Scout rank, played clarinet, and was active in track. Mark earned his Bachelors and Masters in Aeronautical Engineering at MIT in 1949. Mark was passionate about flying. He had a license to fly airplanes, gliders and helicopters. Mark gave glider flight training to young Air Scouts (a branch of the Boy Scouts). His idea of a fun date was to bring his bride-to-be, Mary Lu, stunt-flying in his open cockpit Timm airplane. They celebrated 53 years of marriage this past April. Mark was elected to serve on Mercer Island’s first city council in 1960. Mark worked at Boeing for close to 40 years, starting as an engineer, and later moving into management. He retired in 1988. Originally working in Seattle, Boeing later transferred Mark to Vertol, in Philadelphia for seven years. He was Chief of Technical Staff and was responsible for design and construction of the Vertol Wind Tunnel. While living in Philly, Mark delighted in taking his family on vacations and trips in his Bonanza V-tailed airplane. In 1980, Mark formed The Flight Research Institute allowing Boeing engineers to use Boeing computers off-hours to do innovative work, like man-powered flight research. In 1981, Mark and nine other Boeing employees built a homebuilt, Christian Eagle aerobatic biplane. Taking friends and family for stunt flights was always a special treat for his passengers. (Before lunch, of course.) Mark was assigned as Boeing’s Director of Engineering Technology for the Commercial Airplane Group in 1983. Mark represented Boeing, McDonnell Douglas and Lockheed when he testified before Congress on the importance, and the methods, of educating the industry on wind shear safety. During retirement, he enjoyed everything from annually sailing his boat to the Canadian San Juans with his wife, to building a Lancair IV-P airplane in his basement shop and especially to guiding his grandkids in shop projects. In retirement, he was also active with the Pacific Science Center. In 1997, Mark was elected the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Flight. He loved playing the organ, water skiing, and snow skiing. Mark’s love of life and doing things well is evident in his accomplishments, but more importantly in the legacy of a family that was all together during his last months to support him and each other. Mark was surrounded by his family until his last moments when he passed away peacefully into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father. A memorial will be held at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Ave, Mercer Island, on Friday, January 21st, at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Evergreen Hospice, 12822 124th LN NE, Kirkland, WA 98034.

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