Nov. 8, 1918-May 15, 2008

Our beloved father, Mark T. Kasper, a long-time resident of Bountiful, Utah, who recently resided in Kennewick, Wash., passed away on May 15, 2008, he was 89.

His parents Robert A. Kasper and Myrtle Z. Kasper, his brother Robert G. Kasper and his beloved wife, Eleanore H. Kasper, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his daughter Patricia Boynton (Jim), of East Wenatchee, Wash., his daughter Elizabeth Millward (Greg), of Kennewick, Wash., and his son, Thomas Kasper (Melanie) of Murrieta, Calif. Thirteen grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren also survive him.

Mark was born Nov. 8, 1918, in Owatonna, Minn. He attended the University of Minnesota but after two and one-half years he ended his college education due to WWII. Mark joined the Army Air Corps and trained as a fighter pilot. He served throughout WWII with extensive action in the South Pacific. As a member of the 5th Air Force, 80th Fighter Squadron, "The Head-hunters," Mark flew over 135 combat missions, principally in the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. During his wartime engagement he attained the rank of Captain.

Upon leaving the military, Mark worked briefly as a test pilot and aircraft engineer before pursuing a career in the mining and heavy equipment industry. Mark traveled extensively throughout the west as a sales consultant for Chicago Bridge and Iron, Dart Truck and General Motors heavy equipment division, eventually managing several key offices in Salt Lake City and Phoenix, Ariz.

Part of Mark was always a pilot, as he loved to fly. He was proud of his affiliation with the JUVATS. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed traveling across the U.S. on his frequent trips. He was particularly close to his wife's sisters and their husbands, Lucille and LaVar Murri and Bernice and Carl Hellberg in their numerous travels and continued association.

He loved his family and while far away from his Minnesota birthplace, he maintained fond and lasting memories of his early childhood and family there. In Bountiful he always looked forward to sharing stories and bagels with his Einstein buddies.

Funeral services will he held Saturday, May 24, 2008, at Russon Brothers, Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, UT. Prior to the service a viewing will be from 12 noon to 12:45 pm. The funeral service will begin at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundations or the March of Dimes.

Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery.