"I'll never forget the good times we had at the river. The boat trip to Laughlin. The many nights at the River's Edge Bar.

You are a good friend and will be missed badly.
I love you my friend.
With a heavy, heavy heart...."  Sunny Dodd

"Mark, I will miss you greatly. I can't thank you enough for being such a great guy. You were an uncle to my kids and a TRUE friend. You opened your home to me when I was down n out as if it were my own. I loved your carefree attitude and I will miss you on our future Harley runs! I will have a Coors Light for you! RIP"
Barry Bennett

"When I found out about marks passing, I received a text message from my father saying, "He helped me raise you." This statement could not be more accurate. Mark was always known to me as "Uncle Mark." I met Mark when my family moved down the street from him when I was around 12 years old. Even though he was my dad's friend, he was just as much my friend despite our age difference. Mark did not teach me how to make a lot of money, how to be perfect or how to become powerful. He taught me one of the most valuable things I could ever hope to be knowledgable in... To enjoy life and live it to the fullest. He taught me how to have fun and capitalize on the finer things in life.  No matter what motorized contraption I had problems with, all I had to do was bring it to his garage when he was home and he would help. He helped me with everything from rewiring my boat to fixing my quad to fitting oversized tires on my truck. Every time me and my dad needed help working on something or were just plain bored, we went to marks house. He was such a kid at heart, so much so that he would play video games with me for hours on end or watch ridiculous movies with me because we were both bored out of our minds and it was the only thing on TV. One summer my mom grounded me from wake boarding because I failed to get a 3.0 grade average. I was about 15 at the time and even though I was still allowed to go to the river, my mother intended for me to be bored while I was there, however she never thought to specifically ground me from all water sports. Mark, my dad and I would go to the river all the time during the summer (especially during the summer I was grounded). The first river trip I took with Mark, he brought out his old slalom water ski and said,"I know your grounded from wakeboarding but your mom didn't say shit about skiing, did she?" Mark taught me everything he knew about skiing and I became damn good at it. The last river day of the season came around and my mom came along. Mark asked my mother if I could water ski and she allowed it. You should have seen her face when I got up on that ski and started carving a cross the water like a pro. When I was done I got back in the boat. Mark looked at my mother and said, "What can I say, he's a natural." With a huge smile on his face. After that I can officially say that Mark was one of the most awesome people in my life along with my father. I could go on for days about mark and tell countless great stories about him but I would be here typing for days. I am proud of the person I have grown to be and I can contribute a big piece of that to Mark. I lost a brother, an uncle and a best friend when Mark died but the memories and teachings I have from him will be with me for the rest of my life. I will never forget you mark. Thank you for everything."  corey ploesch

"I loved this man with everything in my heart!  He brought me to Scott and Suzy.  Words can't express my sorrow." lori ronci

I am at a loss of words. i will never forget the first words Mark spoke to me " Hi there, do you come here often" after that amazing pick up line, he grabbed my cell phone and called his phone, I guess that was his way of getting my number and him giving me his. That was over 2 years ago. Mark was a man that could make me cry and laugh all at the same time! He had an amazing ability to touch others. He was always friendly and out going, always stricking up a conversation with anyone, about anything. He had so much to share, he never wanted anyone to be unhappy. I knew Mark, in the now. 
I MISS YOU MARKY MARK! I will love you forever, I will continue to live life to the fullest and with out regrets, You taught me that life is too short, I worried everyday when you rode your bike, you always told me " baby when its my time, its my time" You lived without fear, and loved hard! I only wish we had those years we spoke of the last time we were together. The dreams you had, you were on the right path of life. Thank you for allowing me to stand by your side and watch you grow into the man you so desired to be! I only wish it wasnt cut short~ 
I LOVE YOU MARK DAVID WAUBEN, Love your Nurse!
Jen Parson- In The last Chapter Of His Life

I loved you very much. When the time comes, take Care of Mom for me and I will take Care of our Dad. Natalie Arnold, (Big Sister, always cleaning up after Mark- this part was written by Natalie and Mark's Dad)

God puts us in families...on purpose. They challenge us, love us, bring our greatest heartaches and our fullest joys.
Cousins can be great gifts of joy~close enough to love each other but not close enough to exasperate each other. 
Mark, from birth:), has always been fun and full of life, but living on opposite coasts, we hadn't seen each other for 15 years until he brought his mom to Ohio and I came to see them from Pennsylvania.  
Little did he know, it was about to be a "Jesus weekend!" 
He shared stories with me about the ladies he commuteed with from Bermuda Dunes to Blythe.  They loved to talk to him about Jesus.  He decided to go to their church.  He felt very accepted by the Pastor...just as he was. He enjoyed the number of activities he did with them. That conversation led to many more between us that weekend and they continued as he returned back to California.  I will never know if Mark revisited that place in his heart.  But for that brief weekend, I was able to share a part of his soul and for that, I am thankful. 
Chrissy Lee (Ashba)- Cousin

I first met Mark setting across from the briefing table on the day I was sworn in May 21, 1992. I was nervous & he made me laugh. Since I was the newest hire he was no longer the newbie. We didn't work together but had the same days off. So about a couple weeks after I started he showed up at my doorstep at 8:30 in the morning after his shift & invited me to go with him & John Caldwell to Laughlin. Well, I'm not sure invited is the correct word it but he convinced me to go & that was the beginning of friendship that span over 2 decades and a lot of fun unbelievable memories of the 3 of us John, Mark & myself. I never laughed as much as I did when I was with Mark or on the phone talking to him. We lost touch after we both left Blythe PD. And one day while working at California State Prison, Solano I received an email from Mark who was working at Ironwood & then a phone call. Talking to him again I realized how much I had missed him in my life & we vowed to stay in touch. He brought fun & laughter back into my life & well I guessed he liked the fact I told him what he needed to hear without any bs. I cannot imagine never picking up the phone again & hearing "Hey What's up Loser". Mark was a good guy and a great friend! I love you Mark & will miss you until we meet again. I will never forget all of our spontaneous trips to Mexico, Vegas, Laughlin & to the desert and fun times.
By Starla Link a fellow officer 

"Mark was my partner officer assigned to the PVUSD for several years. We did a lot together and ran a successful school program. Mark always had a positive attitude and he made me enjoy my job everyday.  RIP Mark!!! Much love and respect, Mike Ellsworth & Family" a fellow officer, Mike Ellsworth 

"From the first day we moved into the neighborhood Mark was "family".  His exhuberance for life and getting into mischief brought so much laughter to our family.  With him and John Hill, John Dintelmann, Jason, John and Fred I had a houseful of boys and loved every minute of it.  I've posted pictures of Mark and my boys from my favorite days.  Though I haven't seen Mark in years, he always managed  to stay in touch with me through FB.  He was a great man and friend.  My sincere condolances to Marks family and friends that were so close to Mark.....he will indeed be missed and forever loved."

"I want to pay my respect to Mark Wauben.  I want to also give my respect to Scott, Susan and Natalie Wauben.  Thank you for being such a welcoming family to me and mine.  You were very patient and caring to all of us neighborhood kids.  Certainly must have been trying at times as we were kind of a handful.  Mark was such a good friend.  He made a huge impact on my life growing up.  He was always so fun to be around, and we had great times in Lakewood, Catalina and Palm Desert.  During our younger years I even had the privilage of working with Mark.  One time in 1985 while working at the Queen Mary, Mark got "secret shopped".  He was working the cash register and the customer wanted an order of fries and onion rings.  Well, seeing how Mark had already cleaned the deep fryer, and it was amost end of shift, he told the customer "Sorry, we are all out of fies and rings."  Shortly thereafter the supervisor said "Mark, can I see you a minute.".  Needless to say, there was no shortage of fries in the freezer, but Mark had places to be.  Of course, Mark talked his way out of that one.  He was able to do that often.  I think he really had a kind heart and most people could see that and appreciated him for that.  Even his folly was hard not to love.  He could make any ordinary time seem special in one way or another. He had quite a way with words.  He could find a way to do just about anything he put his mind to, and he was equally as stuborn.  He inspired me in many ways.  I guess St Peter got a taste of him Friday night when he showed up on a Harley.  I imagine, after a short story, St Peter shook his head and just opened the Pearly Gates.  Mark probably gave him a good laugh too no doubt.  Mark, I will think of you often and miss you the same." John Hust

by Peggy Hust, Mother of Marks friends John, Jason and Fred

"My Fiend Mark Wauben , 

I first met Mark the summer after 9th grade at 
football practice before our sophomore year. 
There weren't many days over the next four years
I didn't spend with Mark , John and Fred Hust,
John Dintelmann .  We played all three years 
together . 
I have so many memories of Big Bear ( skiing ), 
Catalina , football , his El Camino and  house parties . There 
are so many that I could write a book. The one 
memory however that I will never forget is in 10th grade
at the end of every practice we used to run 
wind sprints . Well it was hot out and half 
way through Mark took off his pants and
ran the rest of the sprints in his girdle with 
hip pads .  Everyone was laughing so hard! 
Even the coaches !  Mark was a 
Maverick , we never got in trouble much because
he had a command of the English language .
He could talk his way out of any problem .  
I hadn't seen Mark in many years but thank 
him for the time we had together .

Good bye my friend, 

John Hill" 

 We have known Mark and Natalie since they were born. After both our families moved to SoCal in 1971, on many weekends and holidays our families were like one. In the early years Mark, Natalie, and our sons, Brad and Rob grew up together. There are so many wonderful memories. One, of so many, is when the entertainer, John Davidson, was doing a concert in Avalon. John Davidson asked for a volunteer to come up on stage. Guess who ran up on stage? Mark was probably 7or 8 years old and did one of the funniest, wildest dances ever. We didn't know if to be proud or embarrassed. Actually we were both! He will be missed but all those wonderful memories will be with us forever. We love you all. Jan & Dean" 

"I really do not want to repeat what John Hust and John Hill had to write, but what they had wrote is all true. I meet Mark, John and Fred Hust in the 7th grade, by the 10th grade we were as close as four teenage guys could be. By the 10th grade we picked up John E. Hill, I think it was the next year we picked up Jason. That is six teenage boys in either the Wauben, Hust or John E's House, hardly ever at my house. So many good times, yes his Parents would leave and there were a few parties at Mark's house. I think his Dad caught on towards then end, because his Grandfather would come and stay. I few stories go along with that. Although there are many stories, I would say 95% of our stories are hilarious, the other 5% are not important tonight. I really could go on about skiing, going to Catilina, going to school ( Mark gave me a ride to school almost everyday for two years. I do not know if he stopped singing after High School, but Mark would change the lyrics of a song to his own lyrics. Always causing me to laugh. I just want to relate two stories, one of how Mark could talk our way out of anything with confidence, then relate how he was an absolute FART Machine.  Mark and I were taking the fiery to Catilina to do something for his parents. I forgot what we did that weekend. We had a cooler of beer and our seats. We started out on the voyage, after a few beers Mark started to peel the backing of the seat in front of him, by the time we arrived in Catilina he had peeled almost all of the back off. We were almost off the dock when three crew members started yelling "those two" and pointing at us. Mark being Mark, convinced them within about five minutes, that it was not our cooler, he did not cause the damage, but we sat on the other side of the boat. Amazing!!!  I love you Brother man. Peace be with you my friend."
 John Dintelmann  

  Mark was FUN! Mark was SPONTANEOUS!  Born in Ohio, raised in California, he led life, as his aunt Marlene said, Loud and Fast!  Growing up in Southern California he made many friends in school, played football at Lakewood High School and went on to Welding School and the Riverside County Sheriffs acadamey.  At 16, Mark contracted testicular cancer and faced surgery, chemo therapy and many trials and tribulations associated with cancer.  He vowed never to succumb to the treatment again.  He faced death head on and lived loud and fast from then on.  He became a Police Officer in Blythe, Ca. where he served that community for 10 years, married Bea and mentored her two children, loved boating, building and racing sand rails and ATV's...Loud and Fast!! He left the police force and joined the State of California Prison system and became the Enviormental Officer at the State Prison in Blythe, divorced,  moved to Bermuda Dunes and commuted to his job in Blythe.  He took care of his ailing mother by moving her into his home and seeing that she had care while he was at work.  He had a Heart as big as a Boxcar.  He also lived Loud and Fast.  Mark died in a motorcycle accident exiting the 10 freeway at 11:17 P.M. on Friday night Januay 10th, 2014.

 Marlene McAdam, Mark's Aunt wrote: " A long life is not always good enough, a good life is always long enough" , she remebered that from Mark's Grandmother, and we agree, it fits Mark to a T!!