October 27, 2025

I first met Mark 10 or 15 years ago through a mutual friend Philip Augustin. Philip and I were photography compatriots and he said I could join him at a salon at a fellow photographers home, Mark Obenzinger. These were somewhat serious salons where one showed their photographs and others critiqued your work. I don’t remember much of the salon beyond this being the first time I met Mark.

We ran into each other from time to time over the years through different photography events. I again connected with Mark through another friend whom you have all met many times through my Journal, Leesa Key. Leesa and Mark were friends and we had many, many meals together at Leesa and Marks homes as well as spending time in Italy together last year and having just completing a two week trip across norther Spain, visiting Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Basque Country together. We said our goodbye’s to Mark and Leesa 4 days ago as they were headed back to the US and we were headed to France to visit friends. And now Mark is gone.

He passed away yesterday as he was setting up his camera to photography the changing colors of the cottonwoods in New Mexico. A glorious and beautiful time in our state.

Mark was a witty man who always had a thought on everything, a mischievous smile which brought you to his thinking through a roundabout and funny story. You were never quite sure where it would end up until he had completed his thought.

I can’t believe Mark is gone. I will miss seeing him and noshing on tasty foods and hearing his differing opinions and humorous stories leading us to his thinking on our current topic of discussion. He was a special soul and I am glad I had an opportunity to know him.

Here are some pictures of Mark on our recent travels in Spain.