Mark L. Rutkowski

It was a shock and I feel great sadness at this news. Mark and Pam were at my wedding in 1988 at Ft. Knox, KY. Mark was the best man for (Cpt. Thomas Jones) Sometimes, in the military, we lose contact with people we knew. I hope to reach out to Pam and personally offer condolences.

Ran across this Vet, and decided to read his obit.

Thank you for your service. Great sense of humor and God Bless You. I am sure that every soldier that had contact with you became a better person.

What an Officer, historian, commander, and friend. I cut my teeth as a Battalion Command Sergeant Major in mid 2003 through early 2005 with the then LTC RutkowskiI, and continued my correspondence and occasional visits with him and the family through the years with his assignment to the 85 Division staff and a DOD Civilian gig in Germany and my deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Upon his return with Pam to CONUS we still kept in touch with a yearly visit to the "old man" by his once upon a time CSM.
Never felt comfortable calling him Mark, too much respect for the man, it was always "Sir". In the summer of 2023 was that last time we would see each other as when the ice sheet up North melted I would make my sojourn to Granger, IN.
I will truly miss him, as it was an honor to serve with him, and a pleasure to sit and laugh of times gone by. See you on the High Ground Sir- MARCHONS!

I met Mark in early 1975 in West Berlin Germany. We were both stationed at Company F 40 th Armor. I left the military, Mark stayed in, or was in college, or back in the military. We stayed in touch, and visited as often as we could. I missed visiting him Washington, but did visit all his Indiana stops..Lafayette, Otterbein, Fishers, and Grainger. My wife and I visited Mark and Pam when he returned to Germany. This visit took us back to Berlin for New Years Eve. What a most memorable trip this was, my wife now has places to match all the Berlin stories Mark and I told.
I went to Marks retirement ceremony when he left the Army. He had prepared a slide show with odd and funny pictures, with comments to match. He made fun of his career, he seemed to enjoy every minute, and he had a good laugh about it. He did it again, writing his own obituary. Thank you Mark for getting one last laugh with us. I will certainly miss you.
My family and I send our deepest condolences to Pam, Nate, and Marks family.
Farewell Mark
Your friend, Mike

I worked at DFAS with Mark for a few years, and he was one of the kindest men in the building!!!

I worked at Montgomery Wards at Scottsdale Mall my Senior Year in high school. Mark worked at the cafeteria there, as did one of my best friends, Pam Pallatin. They began dating, fell in love, and shared a long life of living in Germany when Mark was in the U.S.Army. Mark was always very patriotic and also very loving to Pam. I have memories of him being gentle, sweet, and funny. May you be resting in peace, my Friend.