Robert Markow

Markow, Robert
91, passed away peacefully on Thursday June 11, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. He arrived in Phoenix on an unairconditioned troop train in July 1942, assigned to Thunderbird Field in Glendale, Arizona as an aviation cadet in the Army Air Corps. His Brooklyn sweetheart, Bea, joined him in January 1943 to get married. Together they shared 66 years of a full and wonderful life as partners in both marriage and business. Bob began his career as a graphic designer in New York City. In Phoenix he expanded into the world of photography, first as a professional photographer, building one of the most successful photo studios in the Southwest (Markow Photography). Later he pioneered the photo supply (Photomark) and color lab (Colormark) industries. Bob played an important role in the development of Phoenix's photographic community, including service as president of both Arizona and Phoenix Professional Photographers Associations, and was active in the national scene as well. He won many national and state awards, and was a member of Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (The Phoenicians) and Phoenix Rotary 100. He was passionate about Phoenix and the state of Arizona, the Phoenix Suns, handball (once a 4-state regional champion, he played competitively into his 70s), and landscape painting. He is survived by his loving wife, Beatrice, his three children, son Paul (Ann), daughter Gayle, daughter Terri (Alex), and three grandchildren, Anna, Erin and Harrison. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be sent to Hospice of the Valley 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, 85014, or to Phoenix Rotary 501 E. Osborn Rd., Phoenix, 85012. Graveside services begin at 9:30am, Sunday June 14, at Greenwood Memory Lawn (Beth El Cemetery) at 2300 W. Van Buren, Phoenix, followed by a memorial service at Markow Southwest, 2222 E. McDowell Rd., rear entrance, Phoenix. Doors open at 11am for an 11:30 service.