Mark Reno

Mark Reno
Des Moines
Mark Reno, a Des Moines businessman who loved golf and travel and who touched countless friends and family with a contagious sense of humor and an unending ability to make people feel good, died Sunday, May 10. He was 45.
Mark graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1982, where he was active in debate and extemporaneous speaking. Following graduation, he attended Beloit College, and then worked at the Chicago Board of Trade for 10 years. He returned to Des Moines in 1995 to assist in the care of his father and the management of his father's business, J.A. Reno Associates, Inc. Mark purchased the company following his father's death. He later sold that company, then created and administered the Reno Company, serving as a benefits broker.
But Mark made his biggest impact with the people he met. Whether it was on one of the golf courses he loved - particularly Wakonda Club in Des Moines-in the countries he visited, at the coffee shops and restaurants where he spent time or during the chance meetings in which he turned strangers into friends, he had the ability to instantly connect.
He was also an avid reader of diverse subjects, a connoisseur of good food and a man who loved sports. He took his one-of-a-kind personality across the world, from California to Chicago, from Nashville to Dublin. Mark found beauty in not just the things he loved, but also the people he shared those things with.
His membership at Wakonda Club and his role as a founding member of the Chicago District Golf Association allowed him to make those connections as well as follow his passion for golf. In addition, his "dinner club" outings fueled his culinary interests and his business ventures offered him many opportunities for worldwide journeys. Active with the Roosevelt High School Foundation, Mark took great interest in mentoring young people. He volunteered his reading talents for the Iowa Radio Reading Information Service.
Mark possessed a remarkable memory and an unbridled generosity of heart. He was ingrained in the Des Moines community, especially Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure and the Court Avenue Business District. His sense of style was evidenced not only in his musical tastes and artistic sensibility, but also through his sincere graciousness, steadfast loyalty, and honor of tradition. Helping others through giving, from gifts to laughter to advice, brought Mark joy.
In celebration of Mark's life, memorial services will be held Friday, May 22, 2009, at St. Augustin Church in Des Moines. Visitation with family and friends will begin at 9:30 a.m., with a memorial service following at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Roosevelt High School Foundation, or to the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa, in memory of Mark.
Mark was born in Des Moines, Iowa on January 29, 1964. He is survived by his mother, Martha Reno of Des Moines; an aunt, Carol O'Malley (Tom) of Kansas City, Mo.; an aunt, Mary Reno of Mobile, Ala.; Marty Walsh IV; and family and countless friends across the country. He was preceded in death by his father, John A. Reno.
The family wishes to thank the AA community and the many families and friends - too many to name - who contributed to his care and guidance throughout his life. He will be deeply missed and remain truly loved by all who knew him.