Mark is a very old dear friend that I lost touch with several years ago. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing & send my blessings to his loved ones. I knew Mark as far back as 1979 & also became friends with his brother Glenn. My thoughts & prayers are with you.
Linda Capetz

Rebecca, Shelby and Derek,

Tonya and I are so sorry for your loss. I'm at a loss for words. He was a great friend and absolute professional. It would be great to get in touch.

Our very best to you all.

Dave Murphy

I met Mark in 1993 while interviewing for a CPA. Mark and I continued to work together for almost 30 years. Mark is a man of integrity, grit and get’r done type of man.
We talked 75% personal and rest business. I was always impressed with his wisdom and knowledge.
I’ll forever miss you buddy!

Mark Lutz has been our dear friend plus tax accountant for some 25 years. Mark's extraordinary integrity, sound judgment, and competence are unmatched. Needless to say, words fail to express the degree to which Mark will be missed. Our sincere sympathies to his family of whom he often spoke with great appreciation. Sincerely, Lee & Anne Salisbury

Shelby, Derek, and Becky,

I am so sorry for your untimely and unexpected loss of Mark. What a terrible shock. I will really miss his loyal friendship, our enlightening discussions, and his odd sense of humor.

Please take good care of each other.

Terry

I first met Mark in about 1985 when I walked into General Music looking for a guitar teacher. I was not a great student, but Mark was a very patient and positive teacher who made guitar look easy, and we had great fun studying the basics of classical guitar and copying blues standards…often followed by a beer and a chat. We found that we had mutual interests in debating, grammar, and canoeing.

Once, he decided that he needed to teach me how to windsurf. He accompanied me in his motorboat to the center of White Bear Lake, then attempted to explain how to stand on the board and get moving. I fell over and over (to Mark’s entertainment), until I finally gave up. This was fine, until the next day when I realized I was covered with lake itch and was headed off on a business trip in a hot wool suit. Squirming ensued.

Another time he wanted to teach my wife and me how to use his jet skis. We got out on the lake, then started to sink (I still don’t understand why), so he had to tow us back to the dock. This was done calmly, with good-natured teasing on Mark’s part.

Mark had a devilish sense of humor. At one point during my guitar study, he told me that if I wanted to continue with lessons, I needed to play a gig with his band. He told me that I could play just a couple of tunes that I knew well, then leave the stage. I got up on the stage, played the first tune agreed upon, then Mark launched into a bunch of other songs, trapping me into improvisation…with a few solos thrown in. A picture of the event shows me sweating profusely.

More recently, Mark had developed a strong interest in grammar and philosophy. We had some intense philosophical and political discussions, with lots of disagreement, but they never resulted in hard feeling. When we debated, he was always more concerned with learning than with winning.

One topic that always came up when Mark and I talked was family. He was devoted to his kids, and thought about them all the time, wanting to help them find their best paths in life.

I will greatly miss Mark’s support, debates, thirst for knowledge, and twisted sense of humor….and the steaks that he was a master at grilling.

Terry Smith