Mark Charles Paben
August 27, 1955 - March 3, 2007
Obituary
Mark Paben,
Mark Charles Paben, a partner at the law firm of K&L Gates and a leader and member of numerous arts and community organizations, died of heart failure on Saturday, March 3, 2007 at the age of 51. Mark co-chaired the Real Estate Practice at K&L Gates and was active in the American Bar Association and International Bar Association. He was a frequent speaker in the United States and abroad on insolvency and cross-border financing issues. Mark was as committed to his community as he was to his law firm and legal practice. He was devoted to the arts and energetically gave of his time to many organizations.
Shortly before his death, Mark was appointed by Governor Gregoire to co-chair Washington FilmWorks, an organization established by the Washington State Legislature to promote the film industry within the state. He was very involved with ArtsFund, serving on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and as co-chair of Workplace Giving. Mark also served on the Board of Trustees of the Seattle Repertory Theatre. In 2003, Mark was appointed to the Seattle Arts Commission by Mayor Greg Nickels and served as chair from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2006. Under his leadership, the Commission established the Mayor’s Arts Awards to recognize individuals and organizations making an exceptional contribution to Seattle’s arts and cultural life.
Mark previously served as president and chairman of the Museum of History and Industry, and on the boards of The Intiman Theatre, Plestcheeff Institute for the Decorative Arts and the Governor’s Chamber Music Festival in Olympia. A talented pianist, Mark was an avid and knowledgeable devotee of classical music and served as the president of the Northwest Chamber Orchestra for many years.
Mark was born on August 27, 1955 in Quincy, Illinois, the son of the late Mary Catherine Paben. He received his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1979, Order of the Coif, and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois in 1976.
Mark is survived by his brother, Gary Paben, and a host of friends around the world. A celebration of Mark’s life is planned for Monday, April 16, 2007 at 4:00PM at Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98109. More information will become available at www.klgates.com/PabenMemorial/.
Mark had a passion for many civic and charitable institutions. Tributes and remembrances may be made to: ArtsFund, 10 Harrison Street, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98109; Northwest Harvest Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 12272, Seattle, WA 98102; or the charity of your choice.
As a schoolmate of Mark’s from days going back to our editing the Quincy Junior High School newspaper, it was a pleasure to see how he brought the commitment to the arts and intellectual rigor to Seattle that we were raised with in Quincy, our home town. It makes me happy to know that he contributed much to our region that will continue now that he is gone so unfortunately early.
My wonderful organ student from many years ago. You will be greatly missed. May you rest in peace.
We were so shocked & sad to hear about Mark. Everyone in Quincy has taken it very hard. Mark & the Paben family have so many friends here. Mark’s mother was a dear friend of mine & through her I got to know Mark. Some of us here in Quincy are going to try to put together a small concert/reception in Mark’s memory. We hope that members of the Paben family will be able to attend. Mark was such a unique & accomplished person. He will be greatly missed. But perhaps he & Mary Catherine are now reunited in a better place.
Our happy memories of Christmas season in San Francisco, and long talks over lunch, will be kept in our hearts forever. We miss you even as we plan to celebrate your life on April 16. We loved you.
Mark was so full of life. I will miss his cheery demeanor and laughter. He was a terrific guy and will definitely be missed.
My deepest condolences to all who loved Mark. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, Marian Esser and Family
A Victorian-Age Elegant Gentleman, at home in the 21st Century.
Dan Caine
I’m so sorry for the loss of Mark. When I was a new lawyer and had a case against Mark, what I most recall is that he was kind, and did not take advantage of my relative lack of experience. Nor was he dismissive of a new associate from a small law firm, although he was a “big firm” guy. Mark had a big heart and a humble ego. I will miss him.
Gloria Z. Nagler
I just heard the news today 3/12 and I am still getting over the shock. Mark touched us all with his smile, positive energy and presence. My deepest condolences to his family and to his friends. As we say in Greek, “Eonia Ipnimi”-may his memory be eternal. We will miss you, Mark!!
I am grateful to have known Mark through Lucy and Paul. We shared some wonderful evenings in San Francisco over dinners there and in Seattle too. May his memory live in all those who loved him. He will be missed.
I remember Mark, Gary, & mother Mary, hand in hand on the campus of Quincy Univeristy so many years ago. Gary & his mother were both students at Quincy at the same time. A friend from a long time ago. Eternal memory!
Although our acquaintance was brief compared to others, I know as I cry out “He’s gone”, others are taking up the glad shout “He’s here”. I’m sure he’ll have nicknames for everyone there too! Rest in Peace.
“Pamelita”
The shock and sadness of Mark’s early departure from life on earth is being felt by all who came in contact with him. Gary…..my thoughts are with you…I am glad your mom is not here in Quincy to learn of Mark’s death….I am sure she was waiting for him..I am so proud of Mark’s accomplishments. I will want to remember his love for twinkling mischief…I remember attending a gallery showing at 428 Maine with Mark…there was a sculpture of a “bird” with open peak..with our appetizers on the plate, Mark quietly placed a huge olive in the beak and we giggled quietly as we walked away. Fondly, Barbara
Yesterday Mark’s colleagues on the Seattle Arts Commission paused for a moment to honor his spirit. We all pledge to work hard to make Seattle the city where arts and culture are an integrated part of our lives. We miss you. We love you.
Just before the usual ending time of the meeting, we decided to end a little early “to celebrate Mark.”
May your spirit be at peace.
dorothy Mann, Chair
Seattle Arts Commission
Mark was full of life and mischief! He’ll always be remembered with fondness and laughter.
“Carolina Spirolina”
Mark was a great guy and his presence missed. His accomplishments were to help others and make the world a better place. Hi legacy will be here for many to appreciate his efforts.
With our thoughts,prayers and Deepest Sympathy to Mark’s family.
Stream of shocked consciousness – For Mark so loved the Arts that he gave his whole life’s energy to the furtherance of this city and so many other cities’ accessability to Art.
For me, HE was Art, a real gritty human loving smart piece of it; light in motion, night and day. Crisp,clean & handsome,present, clever, appealing. A mentor to so many of us – I don’t know if any one room can hold all the hearts, worldwide, that Daddy Long Legs touched and connected with and made more self aware while he was here with us in the hum-drum before March 3.
I remember his welcoming wave, the greatest intense sincerity in his eyes, he was always happy to see a soul. His witty wordplay nicnames for his dearest friends, always the keen, hawklike awareness of the room and its contents, remarkably adept at working without a net and still fulfilling the agenda, for janitors,and for geniuses. He did not discriminate. To see that, well, THAT was Mark’s brilliance. Art hard at work. He took the time he had, maximized it to the maximum and here we all are, earthbound still, shocked, grieving, but so much the better to have had a friend the Rainmaker, the Raconteur, the Daddy.
Mark had purpose, and he knew what it was. He had personal freedoms and fun and fulfillments we can each only wish for, and he was aware and grateful for these Gifts.
I remember when he told me his dreams had already come true,.. He turned to me, stopped in his determined upwards spiral tracks, and he told me just exactly that one gorgeous moonlit night, not long ago, after his work was done at Il Bistro, as we climbed the steps to another welcoming group of friends in an even warmer place, and as I opined and spouted the astrological significance & meaning of the night. I recall it was a “blue moon”, and that I had such a significant “presentation” ready to give him about the moon’s effect on his Virgo being, and he stopped me talking,which he rarely did, and he said “…If I die tonight Mommy, I’d be happy..”
And so our Mark has entered the Place of Peace. He didn’t have to look far to find it, Peace with the hand of his beloved mother,so lovingly aka Jane Wyman, in his own.
We love you Mark, We miss you now and forever. Nothing will never be the same, and that’s the way it is. Forget Hasbro, YOU were The Transformer and we are so bloody transformed !.
I remember what you always told me, after I shared the day’s worries, irritations or fears, you’d say “Mommy, get over it, Have fun – let the good times roll !~ ” – You always told me that Daddy, and so, in your honor, I will try.
And so,Mark,a date I can always keep, forever In My heart you will live
Mommita xxx
I met Mark in the elevator of our building on a Saturday night. He was with his friends at the time, and I was feeling sorry for myself that I had nothing to do. In true Paben style, he graciously invited me to come out with his group, and I fortunately accepted.
Mark and I were friends for a good deal of time, until work took me elsewhere and our paths drifed apart.
Please allow me to share my deepest condolences to his family, his friends, and the world for having lost what was a most certainly a treasure to us all.
Mark was the best friend anyone could ever hope to have. Talented, kind, generous. I will miss him always.
Mark was my law partner at Bogle & Gates. His upbeat personality and zest for life will be missed by many.
I will never forget you. May your joy continue.
Kathy & Rob
I will never forget the piano lessons and recitals with Mrs. Pfeiffer. Carry on.
I knew Mark in junior and senior high in Quincy, IL. We had similar interests in journalism, playing the piano and enjoying the arts. I clearly remember his mischievous sense of humor. I admire Mark for channeling his considerable creative energies and intellect and making an exceptional contribution to Seattle’s arts and cultural life.
I am saddened by his premature passing.
My deepest sympathy to Mark’s brother Gary and Family, and to Mark’s dearest friends and colleagues.
I had the pleasure of working with Mark during his tenure on Seattle Arts Commission. We worked hard, and at his insistance we also had great fun. Mark’s spirit remains in the theatres, concert halls, gathering spots and with the friends and life he loved. We miss you.
Peace
Dear Gary and Cheryl,
So sorry to hear of the passing of Gary’s brother Mark. I happened upon this when researching something on the internet and remember you fondly when we all lived in Glendale. Mark was then just Gary’s little brother. What a remarkable well led life since then. Our deepest sympathy.
Stefana and Tony
Mark, I am a better person for knowing you. THANK YOU for your advice, support, sense of humor, generosity and friendship. You are in my heart forever. Glenji
My deepest sympathy to Gary and also to Mark’s nephew Curt.
Bizz
I knew Mark for about 8 years? He was so young at heart; Mark gave life a run for it’s money and never backed down or slept I think. He was a friend and an inspiration to all generations. His memory will be alive all over this great city. He is greatly missed! You don’t ever forget somebody like Mark Paben.
Mark,
I miss you very much.You were such a bright light in our Law Firm and one of the most fun persons with whom I have ever worked. LBB
I was sorry to just now learn of Mark’s passing, almost a year later. I use to work with Mark in the Bankruptcy Practice Group at Bogle & Gates along with Kim Osenbaugh and Andrew Guy. I not only considered Mark a great Lawyer, but also a Friend. I will always remember the time he took me out to celebrate my Birthday. We had a great dinner, lots of drinks and a whole lot of fun. I was so sadden to learn that he left this world at such a young age. What a great loss to the legal community as well as the Art community. May he Rest In Peace.
I was sorry to just now learn of Mark’s passing, almost a year later. I use to work with Mark in the Bankruptcy Practice Group at Bogle & Gates along with Kim Osenbaugh and Andrew Guy. I not only considered Mark a great Lawyer, but also a Friend. I will always remember the time he took me out to celebrate my Birthday. We had a great dinner, lots of drinks and a whole lot of fun. I was so sadden to learn that he left this world at such a young age. What a great loss to the legal community as well as the Art community. May he Rest In Peace.
Mark, I will miss you and the chance to share more of life. Thank you for the great times we have had and the wonderful memories – your generous and adventuresome spirit, wicked wit, and delight in life’s entertainments, and for sharing your friends and passions – for music, art, and community – with us. Thank you for the smile on my face when I think of you. Bless you.
I keep looking for Mark’s face among the crowds of people downtown– waiting for that random encounter that seemed to happen every so often. Big Daddy Paben will be missed. There was so much more to Mark than I realised that perhaps it was appropriate our first meeting was at Stars.
Peppy
Dear Gary, Cheryl, Kirk, Family, and Friends: Mark was enthusiastic, full of life, and accomplished a great deal during his lifetime. I enjoyed working with him on the Vinson Cole concert in Quincy this past fall. He will be greatly missed. Janet and Joe Conover
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Pat and Cass Geraci
Big Daddy! I can’t believe I will never stumble happily into you again. You always made me laugh, with your energy, your boisterousness and your honesty. I hope that your joy continues.
I will remain one of your ever devoted daughters,
Cortney
MARK PABEN, YOU WILL BE MISSED!
Mark was a friend of mine and I miss him very much. We worked together on the Seattle Arts Commission and were just beginning a new adventure together into the film world. He was the center of an amazingly diverse web of people that some of us affectionately called the Pabenation. You knew you were a part of the Pabenation if you had a nickname mine was, !@%$#%@ing JimmyJames. Mark was passionate, fun and controversial. Most importantly, he was committed to making Seattle a creative and “honest” city.
Mark, thank you for leaving us so well off and full of great memories.
James
Mark was a blaze of light through many dark legal lives, including mine. He was a fine colleague, mentor & business partner. I was also proud to see him on all those arts organization programs, helping to fund the events I came to see. His colleagues, this city, and friends around the world will miss him. To his family, please know that Mark built bridges that will live on, even as we miss the architect of those connections.
Mark always was larger than life, so maybe it should be no surprise that it couldn’t hold him for long. Cherished friend, brilliant colleague, firm leader, city lover, arts champion – even this string cannot describe all he was to all who were lucky enough to know him. Fortunately, he will live forever in our hearts and, hopefully, we’ll regularly remember to make it all fun, as he did. “Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!”
I was hoping to be able to join Mark’s family and many friends in Seattle on the 16th April next. Regretfully, that is not to be for work committments.
I have known Mark as a colleague through the International Bar Association for a long time.
We would meet in cities around the world, once or twice a year. These meetings were always busy, and the associated social events, cocktails, hospitality and dinners were all the more fun with Mark around. Sometimes, the night was longer than the day
No matter how serious – laughter, no matter how bad the food or wine – the promise of somewhere he knew better for us all to go to afterwards; dancing in obscure places ; concerts, performances,recitals and theatre everywhere.
His interest in all that was happening to friends and colleagues; his care for those with troubles which would always end in self deprecating laughter; his care in himself and his love for family. Great attributes.
He will be sadly missed by his international colleagues. Those in this community, who have been in touch with each other on learning of Mark’s early death, have all had a quiet moment to have a drink and salute his life.
I worked with Mark on many real estate matters. We both lost a lot in the 2008 market crash. I’ll never forget his comforting thoughts that we would get rich again. God bless his poor soul.
I lost touch with Mark after moving to Australia in 1999. We met through Insol. I was working in Vancouver with KPMG at the time. We shared many great nights at the opera.
I have just gained contact with the Gates firm in Brisbane and it made me want to reach out to Mark. You can imagine my surprise. God rest his soul. My thoughts are with all his friends and family.
I lost touch with Mark after moving to Australia in 1999. We met through Insol. I was working in Vancouver with KPMG at the time. We shared many great nights at the opera.
I have just gained contact with the Gates firm in Brisbane and it made me want to reach out to Mark. You can imagine my surprise. God rest his soul. My thoughts are with all his friends and family.
Truly one of the best lawyers I’ve had the honor to work with. Our hearts and prayers are with the Paben family. Rest in peace my dear friend.
I was a friend of Mark’s from Quincy Senior High. He was so funny and intelligent; he was one of the people I remember most. On a whim, I decided to look him up on the internet and found his obituary. I was quite shocked to find out he passed at the age of 51. Rest in Peace old friend. See you on the other side.
I met Mark briefly in 1975 in Paris. He made an impression. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Rest in Peace Mark!