Mark Eugene Challender

1957 - 2025

Mark Eugene Challender

February 18, 1957 - January 1, 2025

Bellingham, Washington - Mark Challender, of Bellingham, WA, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph Medical Center on January 1, 2025 after a battle with inclusion body myositis. He was 67 years old, born February 18, 1957 in Centralia, WA, to Jeanne and Jack. He was one of five children, survived by Jack, Jr. and Julia, preceded in death by Michael and Jeffery. He is survived by his partner in life, Ruby, whose love and compassion were unwavering. He is also survived by his two daughters, Catherine and Melissa, and their mother, Diana. He loved his daughters dearly and they are deeply sad he is gone, but find peace that he is no longer struggling.

Mark and his family moved around a lot in his childhood as part of a Navy family, and he never attended the same school for more than two years until they settled in Kirkland, WA, where he graduated from Juanita High School in 1975. He then attended Western Washington University, where he graduated in 1982 with a degree in Political Science and Government, returning to live in Bellingham in 1987. He worked in politics for some time, including at the Whatcom County Council of Government, and serving on the school board for Bellingham Public Schools. For a time in his young adult life, he was a volunteer firefighter. He then pivoted to his second career, pursuing his passion in technology and computers in the mid-1990s, and worked as the network administrator for the Mount Baker School District from 1997 until retiring in 2016; it was a job he was very proud of. Mark computerized records for the Ski to Sea race for years, and enhanced their race-day communication. He also worked with amateur HAM radio and the Whatcom Emergency Communications Group in his free time, particularly in retirement. Throughout his life, Mark saw beyond himself when he encountered things like his long QT syndrome and IBM diagnoses. He became a voice for both of these diseases and people who are affected by them, advocating for community changes toward greater accessibility for everyone.

In his younger years, one of Mark's most valued accomplishments was climbing Mount Rainier at age 18. Throughout his life, he loved to be active - biking, softball, hiking, fishing, crabbing, kayaking, and most of all, golfing. He found joy on the golf course, and loved his "golf-cart talks" with his late father. He loved Seattle sports, especially our Mariners. He was highly involved in his daughters' lives while they were in school, chaperoning orchestra trips and making sure to be present at all their concerts and events. His daughters and their peers valued him as a safe, present adult they could count on. While his disease stole his mobility, it did not steal his optimism, and he carried his "it is what it is" attitude, making the most of his new normal. He and Ruby had many hobbies, and her kind spirit allowed him to thrive and adapt to changes as they came. The two of them were able to travel the world by cruise ship including traversing the Panama Canal twice and to Alaska three times. Mark continued to fight to live life fully, for as long as he could.

Per his wishes, no service or memorial will be held. But we would ask that he be remembered with fondness, laughs, and love. We all love him and will miss him each day.

If you feel so inclined, please consider a donation to either The Myositis Association (https://www.myositis.org/donate/) or the SADS foundation on behalf of Long QT syndrome (https://sads.org/donate/).