MARK RUTLEDGE

RUTLEDGE
MARK
Of Ligonier, died on February 21, 2018, at Excela Latrobe Hospital after a protracted illness. His many friends repeatedly commented on the characteristics for which Mark was known: his outdoors prowess and knowledge, his gentlemanly manner and his sense of humor. Mark's parents, Beecher Heman McCann Rutledge and Ruth Alerta Crannell Rutledge, saw Mark's birth into the world in Erie, Pennsylvania where Beecher served as a pastor in the Episcopal Church. That career and devotion soon took the family to Owego, New York and then to Warren, Pennsylvania. Mark graduated from high school in Warren and went to study wildlife biology at Penn State, which lead to a two-year stint as a biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. When the Korean Conflict arose, Mark joined the U.S. Army to fight in Korea. In 1953, the Army honorably discharged Lieutenant Rutledge. His discharge precepted Mark's entry into a career in finance culminating in his retirement in 2002. In early 1983, Mark married Elizabeth Louise Pierce, known as Lisa. In January 2018, the couple celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. Chris Rutledge and David Rutledge, Mark's sons from an earlier marriage, survive their father as does his wife, Lisa. Mark and Lisa have lived in Ligonier, Pennsylvania since 1988 on a rural property they each learned to cherish. They shared that home with a succession of loving yellow Labrador Hunting Retrievers: Lily, Lotus, Lupin, and Daffodil. At her request, Mark made sure that Lisa learned to fly fish, hunt deer, shoot upland birds including turkeys, and train bird dogs. He also gave her all the appropriate implements, garments and other equipment to succeed in these sports. Mark played key rolls in various continent-wide conservation organizations including the presidency of the Ruffed Grouse Society "North America's foremost conservation organization dedicated to preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife." Both Ducks Unlimited and Trout Unlimited honored Mark with board memberships in these international and national organizations. For many decades Mark enjoyed his membership in the Rolling Rock Club of Ligonier and the Duquesne Club of Pittsburgh. For at least 63 years, Mark was a member of North Hills, Lodge # 716 F&AM. Friends wanting to honor Mark may make donations to the National Ruffed Grouse Society or The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society or the Disabled American Veterans. All services will be private at the convenience of the family. The J. PAUL McCRACKEN FUNERAL CHAPEL, INC., of Ligonier, is assisting the family. To leave a condolence or tribute for Mark or his family, please visit: jpaulmccrackenfuneralchapel.com