Mark Doyle was my 10th grade Honors English teacher. For most people that is where the story stops but he sparked my interest in one of my favorite pieces of literature, Dante Inferno, and of all things helped expand my musical horizons by trading CD's of live concerts. I remember running into Mr Doyle at a few concerts and festivals over the years and it was always good to see him outside of the school having a blast. I haven't seen him in over a decade, but that doesn't change the fondness of the memories I have.

I ran into him after I did a bass performance at the high school and told him I had recently learned part of a Primus/Les Claypool song on bass. Impressed because of how difficult they can be to play, he smiled and asked me why I didn't just play that instead. I quipped back and said I had only learned PART of the song and that gave us both a good laugh.

For the rest of my years at LHS I would always make time to swing by and say hi. I knew whenever I saw him in the hallways I needed to be ready because two jokesters were about to collide and laughter would be the end result. I can't remember seeing him without a smile and for some reason I seem to remember candy being thrown across the room...

I knew his accident didn't stop him from living life and enjoying himself. That was evident in his lessons and actions as a teacher and a person. I am happy to be left with fond memories of him and while I have probably forgotten most of the literary analysis that we did in that class, I have multiple copies of 'The Divine Comedy' and 'Dantes Inferno' that are prominently featured on my bookshelf. But probably most importantly to me, I still regularly listen to that Les Claypool CD I copied from him all those years ago.

Rest in peace Mr Doyle. You've earned it.

Mr. Doyle was my teacher over ten years ago and through that decade I have always, always spoken about him, the coolest and kindest English teacher, to the people in my life. Throughout the years I did my best to visit and keep in contact with him, and he never failed to mention how excited he was about adopting his daughters, his travels with his wife, his foster dogs, and how much it meant to him that his former students took the time to reach out to "an old fart" like him. He changed my life forever, as he did for hundreds of other students. May his memory be carried on through all of the lives he impacted <3 He is so deeply cherished. 

I'll keep the copy of Siddhartha you gifted me through all of my journey on this earth. 

Karen, Bob and family.  So very sorry for your loss . May  your memories of Mark help you  with the pain and grief of losing him.  He has now joined the many Angels who have gone before him.  Love  Diane (Asdahl) Baumann

Mark was a beautiful man, husband, father and teacher. I did not have the fortune of living close to Mark and my cousin Kellie, but the best memory I have of Mark was at my cousin Karen’s wedding. It was the bride and grooms first dance and when other guests were joining in on the dance floor, Kellie approached Mark at the table he and I were sharing, and asked him, “So how are we going to do the first dance when we get married?” Mark sitting in his wheel chair tapped the top of his lap a few times and Kellie sat down on his lap and he wheeled himself and Kellie onto the dance floor. That was such a romantic moment.

Mark left a lasting impact on those who were fortunate to have known him. Rest in peace, Mark. You were loved deeply!