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| IN MEMORIAM |
Mark
Kenneweg (1949–2005) Mark
J. Kenneweg, 56, died December 18, 2005, in Fargo, North Dakota. Mark
served as the leader of the Awards Committee for Region 5 and was the
only Certified Interpretive Trainer in North Dakota. He was an inspirational
leader in the field of interpretation and an influential mentor to the
dozens of interpreters he trained and supervised.Mark John Kenneweg was born September 28, 1949, in Columbus, Ohio. He was raised and educated in Columbus, where he attended the Columbus College of Art and Design. Mark worked for the FBI in Washington D.C., as a fingerprint analyst during the Vietnam War. He eventually moved to North Dakota and worked in graphic production for the KX Television Network. Because of his love of the military and history, Mark volunteered in various capacities at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park near Mandan, North Dakota. He helped establish the 17th U.S. Infantry Reenactment Group and served as its president for many years. For nearly 10 years, Mark was the interpretive director for the Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation. His portrayal of Fort Abraham Lincoln’s Sgt. Major breathed life into tours of Gen. George A. Custer’s reconstructed home. Mark hired and trained numerous local students as interpreters. He directed and acted in Fort Abraham Lincoln’s summer melodrama productions. Thousands of students appreciated his “Custer Christmas” classroom presentations, tours, programs, and special events. He researched, designed, and constructed exhibits, complimenting the history of both Fort Abraham Lincoln and the On-A-Slant Indian Village. Mark often said that he had the “dream job.” He loved going to work each day. Mark put in many hours volunteering in his community. He ushered at church, was active in Junior Achievement, performed in several Northern Plains Ballet productions, and was a master of ceremonies at North America’s largest Scandinavian festival, the Norsk Høstfest. Mark dedicated numerous hours to many St. Mary’s Central High School activities and chaperoned several band trips. To fill his free time, Mark built models, created caricatures and pencil portraits, and enjoyed woodworking. Mark’s recent passions included riding his motorcycle and deer hunting using a self-built black powder rifle. He was as comfortable with a paintbrush or hammer in his hand as he was with a microphone. Mark is survived by his wife, Danielle “Danny,” Bismarck; one daughter, Adrienne Kenneweg, Bismarck; two sons, Eric Kenneweg, Red Lodge, Montana, and Lucas Kenneweg, Bismarck; his parents, Harold and LaVerne Kenneweg, Columbus, Ohio; one sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Rick Jordan, Columbus, Ohio; one brother and sister-in-law, Kurt and Becky Kenneweg, Powell, Ohio; and four nieces and eight nephews. He was preceded in death by one son, Alex, in 1993. Memorials are requested to the Mark Kenneweg Scholarship c/o Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation, 401 W. Main St., Mandan, ND 58554. — Kevin Kirkey |
| Mark was my friend and co-worker for many years. I always thought Fort Lincoln would lose him to Hollywood, not the Great Beyond. Having lost friends and relatives to dread diseases, I take some solace in the way Mark exited the stage. He had danced up a storm at the wedding of one of the young Fort Lincoln Interpreters who so admired him and then passed away in bed with his wife Danni that evening. But the story I want to record is this: December 18, 2004, Mark, Dennis Houle and I went into the Mandan Village on some investigation or another. We were in the middle of construction of "The Bridge to the 17th Century," our ADA-compliant beautiful cedar plank bridge connecting the park museum area to the On-a-Slant Village. We were still able to cross on the old bridge, while the new one, raised about six feet, was being completed. On the return I led and Mark brought up the rear. I heard a sickening thunk and turned to see that Mark had banged his forehead on a steel beam of the new bridge and watched in slow-motion horror as he stumbled backwards off the bridge. His head somehow missed the field-stone piers as he dropped the 16 feet into the ravine. Tangled growth, tree limbs, rocks ... nothing good could come of this. Dennis and I scrambled down into the ravine to our fallen comrade. He was alive. A low moan came out with each shallow breath, but he gave no sign of recognizing anything about his situation. Dennis went for help - called 911 and we covered him with buffalo robes and kept him company - scouting for a route a stretcher bearer could tak out of the ravine. At the time I only hoped he would live. I had no doubt that he would be crippled. But, remarkably, he came out with some broken ribs, a punctured lung, but no debilitating injuries. 2004 had been a lousy year for Mark. There were internal staff troubles that took the fun out of his job. And to have fun and spread fun, along with learning, was the reason he was there. But he came out of the ravine, and had an exceptionally wonderful 2005, capped off by the wedding dance - exactly one year to the day from his fall. I'm not a particularly spiritual guy, but to me, it seemed that a hand reached down into that ravine and gave Mark one year to get everything right. He used the year well. —Tracy Potter |
| It has taken me quite some time to gather myself and actually come to the notion that Mark is gone. Like most everyone, I was shocked by the news and literally fell back in my office chair ... after hearing the somber information from the NAI national office. Mark was a true friend and an energetic partner within the Leadership Team of NAI Region 5. He stepped up to the challenge as Awards Chair in 2004 and remodeled the program to honor members with utmost respect and acknowledgement. To say the least, he crafted the program by setting high standards and making the "moments" extremely special for each successful nominee. Through his emails, phone calls, and personal conversations, he was one leader that did not require any assistance ... he simply made things happen. On a lighter note, I have "chanted" with Mark in bars and taverns across the Midwest, danced with him at regional workshops, played practical (and professional) jokes on other NAI members, and simply enjoyed his company to the fullest potential. We shared our family information, as well as networked about living history programs between our agencies and states. In every case, Mark was (without a doubt) the most attentive listener and always seemed to offer the right words, with the best intentions. NAI Region 5 is one of the strongest regions within the organization. However, Mark provided a considerable amount of that strength and will always be remembered for his support, enthusiasm, and willingness to help any member at any time. My good friend is gone from this "living" world ... but, I will definitely be looking for him when my time comes to cross over the doorstep of heaven's gate. Good-bye my friend ... I will see ya when I see ya. —Bradley Block NAI Region 5 Director 2003-2008 |
| When I learned of Mark's passing, I simply could not sit down and write down my feelings. He was one of those people that I liked the first moment I met him and enjoyed even more as I got to know him better through NAI events and training sessions. I once told him a very silly joke about the North Dakota state song that he enjoyed. From then on a call from Mark began with him singing over the phone to me, "N is for the N in North Dakota... O is for the O in North Dakota..." and on and on. I'll miss his calls and his wonderful sense of humor. Mark was a terrific trainer, living history interpreter and professional. We lost a wonderful colleague and friend way too young. —Tim Merriman |
| I am currently preparing to launch Eastmoor68.com, the website for the 40th reunion of the Eastmoor High School graduating class of 1968. I didn't see Mark's name on the list so I Googled him. I was shocked to learn of his passing. Mark and I became friends in junior high school because of our love of art. After graduating high school we both went to the College of Art and Design where we car-pooled together daily. Mark was an amazing and talented artist, and, as we seemed to be in every class together, we were also friendly rivals. While I tried to convince Mark not to leave school and join the FBI, his departure allowed me to finally be the top dog... :-). Mark moved back to Columbus and I saw him a few times before I married and moved to Texas in 1975. Mark was a good friend and an amazing artist. Rest in peace my friend... I'll see you on the other side of the rainbow. —Marc Eisenman President/Creative Director 10 Point 10, LLC Los Angeles, CA |
 I met Mark at a Certified Interpretive Trainer
course in Tucson. At the time, NAI was creating
a video that involved various interpretive scenarios. Mark jumped
right in and played a hilarious,
disgruntled maintenance worker (pictured here). When his character
tried to warn an oblivious hiker that her flip flops were not appropriate
footwear for the desert trail she was about to take, he waved his hand
in disgust and ad-libbed, "Ah, you'll find out." The moment gets a
laugh every time we show the video. He was warm, generous, and full
of life. I only knew him briefly, but I will miss him. —Paul Caputo |
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