Mark Klunk

Col. Mark C. B. Klunk, US Army, Retired A resident of Terra Linda in San Rafael since 1967, Colonel Mark C.B. Klunk, USA-Ret. died of natural causes on June 6, 2010 at the San Francisco Veterans Administration hospital. He was 94. Mark was born on March 31, 1916 in Hanover, PA, the son of Ambrose and Clara Klunk. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. in 1940; also earning a Masters degree in Business Administration from the Graduate School of Business at Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y. He was stationed in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Later in World War II he served in the Pacific theatre, commanding artillery battalions participating in the Saipan, Mariannas Island campaign. He was overseas for three years during the war. After returning stateside, he married his beloved wife, Frances, in Evanston, Illinois on January 15, 1946. He served at various posts on the mainland and overseas posts in Korea, Japan, Hawaii and with the Military Mission to Turkey in Istanbul and Ankara. He was Deputy Post Commander and Post Comptroller at the Presidio of San Francisco when he retired from the military in 1968. He earned a secondary teaching credential after retiring from the military. He taught for twelve years in both junior and senior high schools, predominantly at Casa Grande High School in Petaluma. After retiring from teaching in 1980 he and Frances traveled extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Mark then became an active student at College of Marin studying music, concentrating on piano courses and composing. He was also physically active with the adapted physical education classes in swimming, yoga and general conditioning. He was an accomplished pianist and composer of love songs. He enjoyed his Tuesday morning jam sessions with his band "We Don't Audition". His love of music also came through his singing with the Marin Chapter of the Barbershop Chorus for over thirty years. He was named "Barbershopper of the Year" in 1973. He was a member of Chapter 2 of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, West Point Society of the Bay Area, the Retired Officers Association, and the Marin Chapter of Barbershoppers (SPEBSQSA) He was preceded in death by Frances, his beloved wife of over forty nine years, and by his brother Captain Richard Klunk, USN-Ret. of Hanover, PA. Mark is survived by his five children: Karen Ikeda of San Rafael, Mrs. William (Claire) Spencer of Hillsborough, Stephen Klunk (Darlene) of Novato, LTC Michael Klunk, USA-Ret. of San Rafael, and Thomas Klunk (Mindy) of Rohnert Park. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Celine and Zachary Spencer, Stephanie, Marc and Scott Klunk. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Klunk of York, PA. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Hospital for the outstanding and compassionate care they gave to our father. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Adapted PE program at the College of Marin. Viewing will be at Keaton's Mortuary, 1022 E Street, San Rafael on Friday June 11th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by a Rosary Service. A Funeral Mass will be held at Church of Saint Isabella, 1 Trinity Way, in Terra Linda (off of Freitas Parkway) on Saturday June 12th at 11 a.m. Burial will be held at the San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio at a later date.