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Mark Frederick Springer
1967 - 2023
Mark Frederick Springer
1967 - 2023
Obituary
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Mark Springer Obituary
Oct. 7, 1967 - Jan. 24, 2023
On Jan. 24, 2023, Captain Mark Springer, USN (Ret) – beloved father, son, brother, and proud Navy Pilot – passed away suddenly following a brief illness at his home at the age of 55.
Mark graduated from Hillsboro High School at the age of 17 and embarked on his U.S. Navy career by joining the Class of 1989 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. While attending USNA, Mark excelled as a member of the Navy Rugby team and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanography. After graduation, he entered the Navy's pilot training program in Pensacola, Fla., and Corpus Christi, Texas, earning Wings of Gold and becoming a P-3 Pilot. Mark's Navy career took him all over the world where he was the commanding officer of three stations, VT-35 in Corpus Christi, Texas, Naval Munitions Command- Conus East Division, Yorktown, Va., and the ROTC program at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Mark retired from active duty in 2018 as a U.S. Navy Captain and continued supporting recruitment.
Upon retiring from the Navy, Mark and his family returned to the Portland, Ore., area and he returned to the skies and his love of flying by joining FlexJet in 2018. Within the first year, he upgraded to Captain on a Gulfstream 450 and was selected to stand up with a special team within his company. His fellow pilots and cabin crew considered him an exceptional pilot and loved working with him.
Mark married Lori Lynn Pekkola in 1998, and was the proud father of Matthew and Hayley. Mark's greatest joy was the time he spent with his children and the many experiences they shared. Hiking, skiing, fishing, traveling, attending concerts are a few of the lasting memories of their adventures together.
Mark is survived by his mother, Joan Springer-Wellman (Ken); his daughter, Hayley; his son, Matthew (U.S. Coast Guard); his siblings, Karin Springer-Smith (James) and Carole Garner (Mark, Ada and Will); beloved nephews, nieces and cousins; along with military colleagues and many friends around the world.
He was preceded in death by his father, Hugh Springer; and his grandparents, Robert and Marcia Mackey and Harry and Ruth Springer.
A service and celebration will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to an organization that promotes the outdoors.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Darryl Elder
March 3, 2024
I had the pleasure of getting to know Mark back in the early 90´s. I lived next door to him in Sunnyvale CA. He had two roommates Andy and Todd. The four of us had a lot of fun together. My thoughts are prayers go out to Mark´s family.
Alan MacQuoid
December 17, 2023
I will always remember the ear to ear grin.
Alan MacQuoid
May 13, 2023
Spring, from the first time we climbed up waterfalls, flew around embedded thunderstorms to our last dinner together in SLC, you were always the guy with a smile on his face looking for adventure. I love you brother and will miss you. Nobody else could have had an SRO memorial in a huge banquet hall.
Carol Budke
May 13, 2023
Can not tell you how sad I am to have wrong date for service. Our
Prayers and heartfelt feeling go out to you and All the family. Hope to be I touch soon
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Andrew Krafft
April 28, 2023
I remember Mark in VP-4. He was a new guy to the squadron during my tenure. He always had a huge smile and loved flying P-3´s out of Barbers Point. Rest in peace my friend .
Arnie McCoy
March 13, 2023
It took me a while to sign this because it took me so long to try and fit it in my head. Skipper Springer changed my life in so many ways over the 20+ years I knew him. He was the reason I agreed to even apply to come back to VT-35 as the SAU Reserve Skipper. I had no idea they would actually select me, and then it was only because of his direct input. Attached is a photo of us from Sept 2008 when I left VT-35 the first time, only to come back 14 months later as a Skipper myself. I'll forever be grateful for his outsized influence on and presence in my life. Fair winds and following seas, Skipper. The family and extended family and friends have and have had my deepest sympathy and prayers.
Arnie McCoy
Brian Nicholson
March 8, 2023
Mark and I were company and classmates at the Naval Academy. I will always remember his huge smile, especially when he was returning from rugby practice covered in mud and grass stains. We went to flight school together, went P-3s together and then went to different coasts. With his career change to commercial aviation I knew we would cross paths again but it didn´t happen soon enough.
I miss you, Brother. Rest easy. May peace be with your family.
J.Chavez
February 15, 2023
On behalf of the Joint OPSEC Support team, our condolences.
David Saiki
February 14, 2023
I had the privilege of being in VP4 with Mark at Barbers Pt. Naval Air Station and did get to see him again at a small reunion in Aug of 2016. He was still the same Mark, full of life, witty and yet very kind.
Lori, I'm sorry for your loss, we are praying for you and your family.
David Townley
February 13, 2023
Skipper Springer was an absolute leader, from the start! Fair Winds and Following Seas sir!
Mark Carlisle
February 12, 2023
Mark came to VP-4 in HI in either 1992 or `93 while I was stationed there. We were not at VP-4 together very long as I was nearing the end of my tour. I remember Mark being a really nice pleasant person. My condolences to your family.
John Adams
February 12, 2023
The members of the US Naval Academy Alumni Association, Oregon/SW Washington Chapter as an outstanding officer and Naval Aviator, with whom it was an honor to share our common bond. Fair winds and following seas, our good friend and shipmate.
Drew Kenny
February 11, 2023
Mark and I were classmates at USNA and crossed paths numerous times during our careers in the Navy. Student pilot training in Corpus, learning to be "shooters," and flying together at VP-30 are some of my fondest memories of him. We stayed in touch and he was a wonderful person and friend. He will truly be missed. His children and family are in my thoughts and prayers. RIP shipmate. We have the watch.
Michael Stevenson
February 11, 2023
Mark and I went high school together. I remember Mark as always being just a great guy. We picked strawberries together one season. I remember he showed up to pick berries one morning and had huge blisters on his ears from a bad sunburn from the day before. He wore a big floppy gardening hat after that! Sincere condolences to his family.
Sheila Connelly
February 11, 2023
Sending love and comfort to you and your kids, Lori.
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