Mark Edward Brunner

“Loved. You can’t use it in the past tense. Death does not stop love at all.”
— Ken Kesey

Mark Edward Brunner passed away in his home on October 15, 2025, due to complications from diabetes. He was born in San Diego, California, on March 16, 1967, where the nearby ocean fostered a lifelong love of the sea.

Playing trombone in the Poway High School marching band was an early expression of his passion for music—one that transcended any single genre. In 1985, he joined the U.S. Army and served for nearly eight years, including during the Persian Gulf War.

His frequent travels, both in military service and civilian life, nurtured a love of languages. Over the years, he studied an eclectic variety, always driven by curiosity and connection.

After leaving the service, Mark earned his associate’s degree from Anne Arundel Community College and devoted the rest of his life to his wife, Theresa, and daughter, Calla.

Mark belonged to two families: the Gergals in Pennsylvania and the Rachows in California. He is survived by his sister, Laurie Brunner, second mom, Syd Gergal, and his nieces, nephews, and cousins. Yet his definition of family was expansive—he considered many of his friends as close as kin.

A perpetual joker with a generous heart, Mark had a rare ability to make people laugh and feel seen.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mark’s memory to the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org