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Mark Arthur McDermott,
the son of Harold and Ruby McDermott, was born in southwestern Iowa
on October 24, 1929. For the first eight years of his education, he
attended a one-room rural school that was located on his family’s
farm. While Mark attended Anita High School, his father died, and
upon graduation Mark stayed at home and managed his family’s farm
for two years. He then attended Iowa State University for one year
before receiving an appointment to West Point.
In June 1950, Mark joined the Long Gray Line with the
Class of 1954. He quietly cruised through the next four years,
making many friends with his good-natured humor and ready smile.
Academics were not a challenge, especially if the course required
the use of a slide rule. A first section engineer, Mark was
commissioned in the Corps of Engineers upon graduation.
During Mark’s three years of active duty, he served
in Korea, West Point and the New York District Engineer’s office.
While at USMA, he was involved in the conversion of the riding hall.
Upon resigning, Mark entered graduate school at Iowa State
University where he earned his Master of Science and Doctor of
Philosophy in nuclear engineering and also met his future wife,
Virginia. While at Iowa State, he also served as an instructor and
assistant professor in the Department of Engineering Mechanics.
In 1964, Mark started his 30-plus year career with
General Electric with which he held both technical and managerial
positions and was involved in the design of nuclear reactors for the
Navy at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a
brother. He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Virginia, four
sons and ten grandchildren: Michael (Mary) with Jeff, Erin and Laura
of Longmont, CO; Bruce (Kim) with Cassidy and Nathan of Seattle, WA;
David (Marian) with Mara and Amelia of Seattle, WA; and Chris
(Peggy) with Kelsey, Matt and Connor of Niskayuna, NY. He is also
survived by two sisters: Ella May Quiner of Des Moines, IA and
Maureen (Tom) Cox of Chicago, IL, as well as sister-in-law Jan
(John) Bonge of Bethlehem, PA.
Mark was a dedicated family man. With his four sons
he was active in Indian Guides and Boy Scouts. Together, the family
enjoyed hiking, skiing, boating and camping in the Adirondacks. He
was also a skilled bridge player and enjoyed golf. He was a
volunteer at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and at Proctor’s
Theater. He and Virginia were fortunate to travel all over the world
in their retirement.
Mark will be remembered as a loving husband, caring
father and grandfather, and a kind, gentle and patient man to all
who knew him. He lived a full, contributive and honorable life so
may it be said, “Well Done; Be Thou at Peace.”
— Dave Thoreson, classmate, and family
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