Mark Wilson

1959 - 2017

DITTMER, Mo. - Born in 1959 to Juanita and Tom Wilson in Knoxville, Mark Wilson was a talented designer, accomplished theater technician and dedicated teacher.

Mark graduated from Knoxville High School in 1977 and was active in theater productions and music. He played the saxophone and served as a drum major for three years. At Augustana College, Mark majored in theater and obtained a Technical Internship Certificate from Yale School of Drama in 1982. He earned an M.F.A. in theater design and technology from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1984 and married fellow graduate student and designer Kim Conway.

The couple moved to St. Louis, where Mark served as assistant technical director for the Repertory Theatre. After serving as both the ATD and TD at the Rep, Mark went on to leadership positions at Busch Creative Services, Spark Agency, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and finally made his professional home as an associate professor at Saint Louis University. Mark's creative work earned the 2010 Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Scenic Design.

Mark's skill in creating theatrical effects was legendary, from water cannons to flying bats to nuclear explosions. Shakespeare Festival's Rick Dildine described Mark as "the guy you called when you wanted magic to happen."

Mark's most defining work was his ability to mentor young people. He launched the careers of designers and technicians across the country, many of whom credit Mark with helping them be better artists and even better human beings.

In addition to volunteering at numerous local theaters, schools and churches, Mark also served on the board of the Jefferson County Beekeeper Association and helped the St. Louis Franciscan Connection.

Beyond his commitment to helping others, Mark possessed the power to make anything funny. Anything. Mark had one core belief: "You can never stop learning and exploring."

Mark died on Sunday, May 28, 2017, in Dittmer, Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Kim Conway Wilson; brothers Matt Wilson (children Audrey, Max, Henry and Ethan) of New York and Tommy Seabloom of Knoxville; aunts Marilyn Larson of Knoxville and Carolyn Miller of Galesburg; and nieces and nephews.

An enthusiastic laugher, helper extraordinaire, rescuer of animals, humans and theatrical productions, Mark assisted people in profound and lasting ways. And for that, we will love, appreciate and miss him forever.

A service honoring Mark's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 10, 2017, at Saint Louis University's Xavier Hall.

Contributions may be made at www.gofundme.com/markwilsonmemorial.