Memorial Service Details | Obituary | Donations
Celebration of the Life of Mark Charles Paben
Date: Monday, April 16, 2007
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Seattle Repertory Theatre
155 Mercer Street
Seattle, WA 98109
Mark is survived by his brother, Gary Paben, and a host of friends around the world. A celebration of Mark’s life is planned for Monday, April 16, 2007. Information about the memorial service will be posted to this Web page (www.klgates.com/PabenMemorial/) as it becomes available. Additionally, inquiries regarding the memorial service may be directed to: .
At the online memorial, visitors can share condolences and remembrances with family and friends of Mark Paben. (http://bonneywatson.com/memorialindex.html)
Mark Charles Paben, a partner at the law firm of K&L Gates and a leader and member of numerous arts and community organizations, died of heart failure on Saturday, March 3, 2007 at the age of 51. Mark co-chaired the Real Estate Practice at K&L Gates and was active in the American Bar Association and International Bar Association. He was a frequent speaker in the United States and abroad on insolvency and cross-border financing issues. Mark was as committed to his community as he was to his law firm and legal practice. He was devoted to the arts and energetically gave of his time to many organizations.
Shortly before his death, Mark was appointed by Governor Gregoire to co-chair Washington FilmWorks, an organization established by the Washington State Legislature to promote the film industry within the state. He was very involved with ArtsFund, serving on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and as co-chair of Workplace Giving. Mark also served on the Board of Trustees of the Seattle Repertory Theatre. In 2003, Mark was appointed to the Seattle Arts Commission by Mayor Greg Nickels and served as chair from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2006. Under his leadership, the Commission established the Mayor’s Arts Awards to recognize individuals and organizations making an exceptional contribution to Seattle’s arts and cultural life.
Mark previously served as president and chairman of the Museum of History and Industry, and on the boards of The Intiman Theatre, Plestcheeff Institute for the Decorative Arts and the Governor’s Chamber Music Festival in Olympia. A talented pianist, Mark was an avid and knowledgeable devotee of classical music and served as the president of the Northwest Chamber Orchestra for many years.
Mark was born on August 27, 1955 in Quincy, Illinois, the son of the late Mary Catherine Paben. He received his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1979, Order of the Coif, and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois in 1976.
Donations
Mark had a passion for many civic and charitable institutions. Tributes and remembrances may be made to:
- ArtsFund, 10 Harrison Street, Suite 200, Seattle, WA 98109;
- Northwest Harvest Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 12272, Seattle, WA 98102;
- or the charity of your choice.