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Obituaries » Mark R. Jenness
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At Mark’s request, there will be no memorial service. If you are able, honor Mark’s memory in ways that help sustain the natural world. If you choose to make a contribution, please consider organizations like the Michigan Audubon Society Education Fund, the Kalamazoo Area Audubon Society, the Michigan Nature Conservancy, the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy or other organizations dedicated to supporting the natural world.
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I feel fortunate to have known Mark Jenness as my boss at SAMPI and as my friend. Mark was a font of information and told the best stories. Whenever my wife and I travelled, he would give us the best recommendations on places to see and places to eat. We shared a love of watching birds. He would let me know where he would see sandhill cranes. We would watch the birds at our feeders when he came to visit. For holidays and special occasions, he made the best homemade candy. He will be missed.
Posted by Stephen Winquist on May 28, 2026
I shared an office with Mark at the end of his time here at SAMPI. When I started here 15 years ago, Mark was a constant presence in the office, still helping to guide and advise from the sidelines anyone who wanted his help or good advice. He was a calming presence with a ready smile, and he will be dearly missed.
Posted by Michelle Munetsi on May 28, 2026
Mark is a legacy at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. A great storyteller and an even greater human being.
Posted by John & Sandy Conroy on May 27, 2026
I am so thankful that my path crossed with Mark early in my evaluation career. He was patient and took time to share insights with me, train me to do lesson observations, and connect me with evaluation projects...and that wasn't even because he was my boss or professor, he was just a knowledgeable evaluator who wanted to connect with others working in the fields of science and mathematics. And, it makes me smile to think that maybe our paths could have crossed even sooner - on Channel 3 Clubhouse - where my preschool class went in the mid 70s. God speed, Mark, and thank you!
Posted by Wendy Tackett on May 27, 2026
I will always be grateful to Mark for opening the doors to evaluation work for me. Four months after I received my PhD in Science Education, I was looking for a job. Mark was director of SAMPI at the time and was looking to fill an evaluation position. I went to talk to him and he hired me on the spot. I worked at SAMPI until I retired in 2023. I will always be grateful to him for seeing potential in me many years ago.
Posted by Robert James Ruhf on May 27, 2026
