Mark Reames Memorial Scholarship

Mark's 34-year-old bicycle, still kept in good condition, symbolizes, somehow, his curiosity for learning -- how things work and how to care for them. His extensive book collection, a testimony to his love for American literature and poetry, was occasionally ignored when he chose to read a current issue of Scientific American. Maps of the Rocky Mountains, his well-worn binocular case, and bird books are evidence of his joy of constantly learning about what nature has to offer.

During his junior year at South High School in Denver he and some friends started a weekly study group, the Gadflies. An old friend and member of the Gadflies says that the students met on their own with no teacher to guide them. Though the members of the Gadflies had a variety of talents and interests, they were all intelligent readers; thus, lively discussions could turn into raucous shouting matches as determined youth attempted to prove particular points (Which might not have been the case, had a teacher been present). Often, if a subject held their interest, members searched for more material to find answers substantiating their positions! Surely, Mark's time prepared him well for his university days.

Mark was disturbed by the competitive nature graduate school and decided very early that he would not pursue a Ph.D. in literature. He acquired knowledge and wisdom, it seemed, to be applied as he taught and lived, not to use in competition with others. But certainly he loved nothing better than sparring with old friends in intellectual discussions which became heated but never disrespectful.

Living abroad only whetted Mark's appetite for knowledge. During twenty years of university teaching in Japan, his colleagues called him "Mr. Question Mark," for he continued to question, as he learned not only about the culture, but attempted to discern how he should guide his students in their study of literature and poetry.

On the conclusion of our trip through the northwest the summer of 1994 before Mark's death, he reflected in his journal: "What does it mean to travel 4,000 miles and view the mountain ranges of the western U.S. ... is this an exercise in learning geography? What did I learn?" Thus even after a vacation, his keen, analytical mind was pushing him to seriously reflect upon what the vacation had taught him. What an intelligent gift Mark developed over the years, one of constant questioning, absorbing, and reflecting upon his experiences. And what an appropriate decision for the Hemophilia Society to make --to name a Scholarship Fund after him.

In appreciation to the Society
Ruth E. Reames