Mark Michael White, age 81, passed away on November 18, 2023, in his home in Nordland, WA, just one day shy of his 82nd birthday. He was born November 19, 1941, in Buffalo, New York. Mark was the son of George and Eleanor White. He graduated from Starpoint Central High, and later with a B.S. and M.S. in industrial technology, from Buffalo State University.
Mark also wrote for the University of Alaska. He went on to be an educator at Kodiak High School, and Kodiak Community College in Alaska. He was instrumental in overseeing and building a technical training wing at the college, where he taught construction, woodworking, cabinetry, building sailboats, machining, pottery, welding, and making musical instruments.
His love for instruction led him to author hundreds of articles, and many books, such as "Superinsulated Truss-frame House Construction" and "Building the St. Pierre Dory". One notable magazine article: "Small Arms Review: An interview with Mark White, owner of Sound Technology", shares many of Mark's experiences and influences, in his own words.
Mark began life in Buffalo, N.Y. where he worked and learned machining on a large scale at the GM vehicle manufacturing plant. Mark then moved to the place dearest to his heart, Kodiak Island, Alaska. Mark worked for the college and later at the Pacific Space Port. This was a highly secure, classified job and he loved interacting with many types of people and developing technology. Mark built his own home, several rental homes, and a boat manufacturing facility on the Island. At times he worked there as a commercial fisherman, but he loved making boats even more than utilizing them. He built boats throughout his life, beginning at an early age. Mark was primarily an inventor, his love of research and development, and his drive to produce, eventually led him to be an entrepreneur and industry leading developer of firearms and suppressors. He founded a successful company named Sound Technologies, or Sound Tech.
This led him to be a technical advisor, supplier, and resource for many private individuals and governmental agencies, even on a federal level. He loved inventing, experimentation, and testing. He also loved all those who shared his passions. Mark moved to Pelham, Alabama for many years. He later moved for a short time to Logan, New Mexico. His great love for being near water and a cooler climate caused him to move to Nordland, Washington where he remained for the rest of his life. Even at an advanced age, he was slowly building another home. He never ceased to conceive new ideas, filling copious notebooks with new ideas, concepts, and contacts of the many people his life had touched.
Mark was a beloved father of five children; Laurie (Bobby) Ming of Kansas, Melissa (George) White-Allison of New York, Seth White of Alaska, Benjamin (Mallory) White of Alaska, and Emerson White of Washington state. Brother of Steven (Frances) White of Colorado, the late Susan E White of New York, Terri McEntee of Colorado, and Matthew (Faith) White of Alaska.
Mark is also survived by five grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and a host of friends from all over. His passionate focus, adventurous spirit, dry humor, generosity, creativity, and uniqueness will be sorely missed. At his request, and weather permitting, a time will be set for a family gathering on Kodiak Island to spread his ashes at Island Lake. Kosec funeral home of Port Townsend, WA is hosting the online memorial for posting family condolences and special memories.
