Mark Robertson

Mark Adams Robertson

Nov. 3, 1959 - May 8, 2017

Mark Robertson, son, brother, husband, and friend of many died peacefully on May 8, 2017 after confronting a long illness with the same courage, resiliency, and good humor that pervaded all aspects of his life.

Mark was born in Manila, Philippine Islands, November 3rd, 1959 to parents, Nan and Adrian Robertson. The family lived in Manila, Bangkok, and Calcutta before settling in Hong Kong in 1965 where Mark received his British education throughout his early student years.

Mark loved life. He participated in sports… especially scuba diving, water polo, and golf, his studies, and a myriad of extracurricular activities. He completed Outward Bound's standard course in survival and was a member of two mountaineering expeditions to Nepal and another to Taiwan. Mark was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's gold medallion for outstanding social service and personal enrichment at a ceremony held in Hong Kong at Government House on May 15, 1978.

At the age of 17, Mark left Hong Kong, following his dreams to one day become an architect. He attended the University of Washington, Seattle. Following his graduation in 1980, and on the advice of his faculty friends in the architecture department Mark took his cum laude diploma and ventured out into the "real world". Attempting to broaden his horizons and gain work experience. He embraced all that he learned… in the construction industry, as a commodities broker, in commercial freight marketing, life insurance sales and with Bob Blunk and Associates, as a draftsman in Burlingame, California.

With strong ties in the San Francisco bay area, Mark brought his beloved Michelle Martin to San Mateo, from Seattle and on December 6th, 1986 the two were married. As husband and wife on the Peninsula, together they drew a deep breath and Mark announced: "I've always wanted to be an architect, and a good one - the time has come". With that, he carved out a career for himself in the Bay Area doing what he loved most.

Mark was always creative, had a talent for art and design, people skills matched only by dogged determination to be faithful to his high standards of excellence.

A family memorial service has been held to honor and remember Mark. His family, friends worldwide, colleagues, clients, and all who knew this remarkable man are asked to keep him in their prayers.

"Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones shines down to let us know they are with us" ANON.