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Mark Druss Obituary
1944-2018
Mark Druss passed away on April 6, 2018 at Longmont, Colorado, after a long illness. He was born during World War II at Jefferson Army Barracks in St. Louis, Missouri, where his parents, Mildred Schpeiser and Harold Nitzberg, were social workers. Mark grew up in New York, first in Brooklyn with his mother's extended family and then in Roslyn Heights, Long Island. When he was 21, Mark was formally adopted by his beloved stepfather, Abe Druss.
After graduating from Roslyn High School, Mark attended Columbia University in New York, where he earned his BA, MA, and PhD degrees in Anthropology/Archaeology. He conducted field work in Mexico, in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, and in the eastern U.S.
In 1977, Mark moved west to Idaho where he taught anthropology at Idaho State University and spent decades working in cultural resources management in the northern Great Basin. He and his wife, Claudia, raised three children in Idaho. After a long career, Mark retired from Idaho Power Company where he served as Senior Archaeologist. Mark and Claudia moved to Colorado in 2014 to explore new lands after he retired.
His lifelong love of music led him to play jazz saxophone in local bands in Idaho and Colorado. He also loved motorcycles and anything outdoors, including sailing, canoeing, skiing, hiking and nature photography.
Mark is survived by his wife Claudia and their children Jared, Garek, and Emilie; his mother Mildred Druss (age 101); his sister and brother Sarah Druss and David Druss and their children; and his half-sister Laura Nitzberg. He was preceded in death by his adoptive father Abe Druss, his biological father Harold Nitzberg, and many New York relatives.
Mark's memorial will take place at 1:00 pm on Wednesday April 11, 2018 at Summers Funeral Home in Boise, followed by burial at Dry Creek Cemetery. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Dry Creek Historical Society at www.drycreekhistory.org or 5006 W. Farm Court, Boise, Idaho 83714.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.summersfuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mark Druss
Sponsored by The Idaho Statesman.
4 Entries
July 23, 2018
Dear Claudia and family,
Doug and I just read of Mark's passing in the American Baha'i. We are so very saddened to hear this news and uplift you in prayer. We have such wonderful memories of our times together in Boise and Ada County, and cherish our friendship to this day. Mark's spiritual and material insights always deep and thoughtful, his love of family, and his work ethic an inspiration. You both come to mind often and we hope you know we are with you - heart to heart. Call or email if you can.
208-773-2130 [email protected]
Our sincere sympathy and abiding love,
Doug and Carol Hudson
Post Falls, ID
April 20, 2018
Mark was a respected, thoughtful and trusted colleague. I knew him as an ISU professor and BLM contractor. He loved Idaho's mountains and sagebrush plains. He will be remembered for the contributions he made to our knowledge and understanding of Idaho's prehistory. Dick Hill
Mike Deering
April 10, 2018
Mark hired me at IPC as a contract temporary worker in June 1997 and a four year specific contract temp in January 1999. Now almost 20 year with IPC, I will always be grateful for his actions and all he did for my professional career. Good thoughts to all his loved ones.
Joe Bejsovec
April 10, 2018
I didn't know Mark well when we worked at Idaho Power, because while he was out doors having fun, I was confined to a cubicle at the Puzzle Palace. But afterward we both played in the Mulligan Band under Jim Perkins, and had a great time. Also we went up in a Cessna to fly several times, and he took the best aerial shots in my collection (which I'd be happy to share with you: 345-6666 or [email protected]) We were both sad when he moved to Colorado.
Joe Bejsovec
member Flying Octogenarians
and Mulligan Band
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Memorial Events
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Apr
11
Memorial service
1:00 p.m.
Summers Funeral Home - Ustick Chapel - Meridian3629 East Ustick Road, Meridian, ID 83642
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Summers Funeral Home - Ustick Chapel - Meridian3629 East Ustick Road, Meridian, ID 83642
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