Mark Atkinson

1966 - 2024

Mark Wayne Atkinson

1966-2024

Mount Pleasant, UT-On May 6, 2024, the world lost a superstar.

Mark Atkinson, the genius behind BMW Alpha, Racer X, and countless other remarkable creations, died doing what he loved. A motorcycle accident over the weekend that included a knock to the head led to a bad fall in his shop two days later.

He was fearless and his motto, "Ride Fast, Safety Last," was the way he lived his oversized life. When he was nine, he attempted to jump a big trench, Evel Knievel style, on his bicycle. It didn't go as planned but his only regret was that the paramedics ruined his favorite Salt Flats T-shirt cutting it off him. He lived every day at full speed. He had a million outrageous adventures and a few too many close calls. All things considered, even though we are heartbroken, we feel he would be 100% satisfied with this ending.

He managed to pack a lot into the years he was here, from his first land-speed world records to international fame with his motorcycles and original designs. He was endlessly curious about how things worked, and he refused to be constrained by what had been done before. His agile brain could see options and make connections in a non-linear way faster than you could explain what you needed. If you brought him a problem, you would leave with an elegant and significantly improved solution.

He had a big personality and loved to connect with people. He was a "What You See Is What You Get" kind of guy. No pretense, no judgment. Just a genuine desire to learn everything about everything. He had a wonderful way of making you feel important, he had the best infectious laugh, and his bear hugs were magnificent.

Mark is survived by his parents and son, too many siblings to list, and an international group of friends, racers, and collaborators.

We will be celebrating Mark and his life on July 20, 2024, in Salt Lake City, UT. His will gives us very specific instructions: "Party like a Mo-fo. No tears." The exact location is still in the works, so reach out to the family or watch his Facebook memorial page for information as that time gets closer. Sandals with socks will be optional.

Please love your peeps. Call the ones you haven't talked to in a while. Hug the ones you are with. Say the words that need to be said. Life is short and precious.