Missing my best friend
Just thinking of you brother, you were one of a kind . Thanks for being a great friend and thanks for all of the memories. You were the person I could never be and had a personality I never had . Until we meet again.
Respectfully,
John Emory Hill III
Catalina
remembering fishing with you on the Avalon pier...and you somehow caught an octopus.
...and laughing watching you wrestling with it trying to get the hook out.
We are going to miss Mark beyond words. He was one of a kind. He was caring, impulsive, rebellious, stubborn, and OH SO FUNNY. I honestly think he has made me laugh more than any one person. We loved him.
He was a loyal friend to Pete, and both of our families were in stitches when he was around. He was in our wedding, came to the hospital when our first child was born, helped Pete with many home improvement projects over the years, and was a big help when Pete broke his leg, and later broke his back. We had countless fun river trips over the years. He and I would banter back and forth constantly. He usually won, of course. He gave us crap when we had our kids and the "guest" rooms were no longer his when he visited. He became Uncle Mark to the kids and it became tradition that he would take them to get doughnuts when he would stay over. He said the doughnut holes didn't count because they ate them on the way home. More recently, he would give advice to our 16-year-old son, and I know he got a kick out the evil eye I was giving him. He told me to stop letting our 7th grade daughter wear make-up, and he threatened to be here when she started dating some day. A few months ago, he drove all the way from Indio to watch the kids perform at an open mic event. He said he was going to be their roady some day.
I think my funniest memory is from two Decembers ago. Mark had stayed the night and left early the next morning. Later, I noticed that he had redecorated the mantle where I had hung up our family's Christmas stockings with names on them. Next to the stocking that said "Pete" was now a stocking that said "Mark." Mark had made his own stocking out of his dirty white sock and stapled a post-it note that had his own name on it right next to Pete's. I think we laughed out loud all day and he wasn't even there.
It will be impossible to fill this void, but at least I know that some day the laughter of the memories will replace our tears.
Last memories of Mark
Mark, take the wheel.
Just a few more memories of Mark
Never show up wearing flip flops when the guy you are dating rides a Harley~ Mark HATED flip flops!
There's a movie date awhile back... Mark asked me if I wanted to go see a movie one night, I of course accepted, Mark chose the movie, set everything up, all I just had to do was show up... One thing he didn't do, was research on the movie!!! Oh my gosh it was just shy of a porn!!! He WAS so embarrassed!!! He apologized for weeks!!! To say the least, Mark never chose the movie after that.
(the movie was Ron Jon)
This just popped into my head. Christmas..... We danced in the kitchen Christmas eve after wrapping gifts..He just grabbed me and started dancing with me.. The look of love and happiness in his eyes, I will never forget! He kept telling me to let him lead.. I just couldnt let him lead.. He was spinning me around and around, we laughed, and laughed and lauhged.. This year for Christmas Mark went BIG, We were at home depot, he was looking at a Charlie Brown tree, and then..... he was on mission, he was looking for the biggest tree on the lot! He found it, it was 12 feet tall and 4 foot wide! It was HUGE! He said " its a beaut Clark" Good times Baby!
We rang the New Year in at home having drinks with friends, and playing mexican train(messican train as Mark would call it), his new favorite game... He told me I was always cheating! (because I was the only one that knew the rules, haha) and Mark never won.
I laugh when I think of the little things, like.. His "barking spinders" in the bathroom. His funny little wave when he would ride off after a lunch date, His funny jokes, when I would give him an injection of B12, he would act like it was the most painful thing he had ever been through, big baby!
We had endless nights of "pillow talk" over the past year and half. Mark gave me a snap shot of his life every chance he had, I feel like I have met and know each and every one of his friends and family members, He loved you all! He shared stories, so many stories with me.
Mark and I recently packed up his belongings for a move, during this packing he came accross a box of childhood memories, photos and life accomplisments. He was very proud of the book he had of his accomplisments, and excited to show them to me. I felt honored and still do feel very honored he shared all of them with me.. One, was when he was a police officer, several books of childhood pictures, Mark took the time to explain who each and every person was to me in the photos, where he was, and what was going on at the time the photo was taken.
When we lost Mark, he was doing what he loved, riding his Harley. He was happy, and he was LOVED, by all of us.
Mark, I miss you!
The role you played in our life
Mark you will never know the important role you played in our life.
We look back over the past almost 40 years of friendship with The Wauben Family and realize it started with Mark and his dad, Scott, at Lakewood YMCA,Father and Son, Indian Guides when Todd and Phil became members. There were fun trips to Calico Ghost Town where the "little guys" played all day and the "Dad's" put them to bed and played poker all night!
Then came the fishing, scuba diving trips on the "Relief Valve" which provided abalone and lobster for the great dinners for everyone!
While Mark played football at Lakewood High School, Todd was on the Water Polo Team but the friendship continued especially with the parents; Scott and Phil on the water and Susie and Winnie through PTA and school activities. Scott and Susie were the primary fundraisers for L.H.S. outdoor "pep" stage while Phil used his talents on the backhoe to construct the structure that has been used for three decades as hundreds of students enjoy it.
Winnie was employeed by Scott at Long Beach Valve and Fitting and had the pleasure of becoming even more emcompassed in The Wauben Family by spending time with Mark's sister, Natalie.
Thirty years ago began the wonderful opportunity of a life time when we were invited to be a part of The Inn on Mt Ada and it is ironic of the passing of Mark as the doors at Mt. Ada are closing.
Mark, you were loved by many and will be missed. Thank you for being part of our lives.
Phil and Winnie Heiss
Natalie ' s house parties
operation neighborhood watch
Expensive insertion into his nose
"I met Mark when he was toddler and I was newly hired by his father, Scott, to work for Long Beach Valve and Fitting Company. Who could imagine that this event would begin a decades long Sweeney family "collaboration" which included the opportunity to meet Mark and Natalie and watch them grow up. Mark's early visits to the office were never dull, and one incident involving his nose and a small plastic ferrule is in my mind's eye as though it happened yesterday!
After reading the tributes posted here, it is clear that Mark's spontaneity and good nature are characteristics that defined his adult life. The impact on those in his sphere of influence is the legacy that will endure. May Mark David Wauben rest in peace and may the memories he leaves behind bring solace to his family and friends.
Toshie Sweeney
My Brother
Glimpses of a soul
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.
One of a kind man
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!
I came accross this article at lunch today, it decrisbes our "love" there are a few lines in the following article Mark would say. the entire article reminded me of him! Had he still been here with us, I would have sent this to him to read..
The truth is that real love requires real inner work that most people just aren’t interested in. It requires that we first be happy in our solitude; that we come to know ourselves, accept ourselves and love ourselves. We have to find our peace of mind, find our purpose, our passion, our joie de vivre.
It requires that we lay down the ego’s defenses and be naked and vulnerable; that we give up our planning and fantasizing about the future and live in the Now. Only then are we really ready to love. When you fully grasp that tomorrow is not guaranteed—that this moment is truly all that we have—there is nothing to do but give everything you’ve got, expecting nothing in return.
In fact, you know in advance that your heart will be broken. You will be lied to, you will be taken for granted; you will be hurt and disappointed. Sooner or later, between here and your deathbed, you will have to say goodbye. You know it, you accept it, and you love anyway.
Real love is divine. a dance with emptiness which takes us beyond the human self, beyond the ego’s petty games to know a timeless love; to taste the fullness of joy.
What we call “true love” is that rare and sacred union that happens when two people join in this dance together.
It is a friendship, a love affair. Passion, lust, affection, caring, trust, respect and devotion all become part of an exquisite surrender. Lovers merge with each other and with the vast, wild universe. Neither knows for sure if it will last a weekend or a lifetime. It doesn’t matter.
All that matters is this moment of oneness—
Loud, Fast AND SPONTANEOUS!
It seems to me each child is unique and Mark was definetly unique. Mark was FUN! Born in Ohio, raised in California, he led life, as his aunt Marlene said, Loud and Fast! I would add, SPONTANEOUS! 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.
On that same night at 11:17, I sat straight up in bed in Hemet, for no apparant reason, and could not go back to sleep. I shall always miss Mark and Love Him and he knew I loved him.. Scott