Mark Coburn Obituary

I took an Advanced Composition class from Mark during the 1970s. Plenty of reading and writing in his classes! Every week we had a 500 word essay due. I used what I learned in his class probably more in my.career than any other class I took in college. Mark was a character. He filled his life with books and wit. He loved history, art, architecture, music, trains, and life. He enjoyed teaching and cared about his students, I am grateful to have known him in my life.

Mark was one of my favorite instructors at FLC. I giant of a man in so many ways. I feel lucky to have shared my college experience with him.

He was well-respected as a teacher and as an author. I recall being at a bookstore near a Civil War battlefield in Manassas, VA when I came across one of his books for sale. I picked it up because the author was Mark Coburn, which also happened to be the name of my Semantics professor. It turns out they were one in the same. The sales clerk noticed that I was looking at the book and told me that he was a 'very good author and historian'. I shared with her that he was a pretty amazing professor as well. We were lucky to have him at Fort Lewis.

I will miss friend and client Mark , He always brightened my day , with is wonderful dry sence of humor , and alway had a kind and loving words to say , a very good person . He will be missed by his friends , we all loved him

FLC mid 1970s - To this day I integrate a side scoop of history into what I'm reading thanks to Mark Coburn. He would bring in books on the World's Fairs and architecture and battles into an English class. He taught me to put time, history and literature into the same perspective. My condolences to his family and friends.

Mark was a unique and caring professor. Students loved Mark and valued his openness to many values and varied dreams..