Mark Percival

Charles “Mark” Percival, PhD

Charles Mark Percival was born on May 28, 1937 in Provo, UT, to Charles Guy Percival and Edith Johnson Percival and died in Albuquerque, NM, at the age of 80.

He married Janette Vincent in 1959 and had four children with her:  Edith, Mary, Rebecca, and Douglas.  They divorced in 1981.  He married Susan Harris in 1983.

He graduated from Provo High School in 1955.  He earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from BYU in 1960, a MS degree in Mechanical Engineering from BYU in 196l, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Davis in 1967.  He served six years in the Utah National Guard and two years in the active reserve.

He was employed at General Dynamics, San Diego, CA, as a Structures Engineer from 196l-1962.  He was a Professor of Engineering at BYU from 1962-1964.  He was a Research Engineer at Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Livermore, CA, from 1962-1964.  He was a Technical Staff Member at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM from 1964-1996 when he began consulting with DynCore until retiring in 1999.

Family:  Mark treasured his wife and family and made it a priority to stay in touch with and support his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Music:  Mark played the guitar and wrote songs for the guitar.  His children remember his particular favorite guitar music by Roger Miller, songs like Trailer for Sale or Rent.

Scouting:  He worked with the scouting program and found it rewarding to see the boys grow into young men and become Eagle Scouts.

Running:  He became a runner in his early 40’s and ran 12 marathons, including Boston in 1975, finishing in 2:52:50.

Dancing:  He and Susan enjoyed country western dancing from the time they began dating until his health prevented it.

River rafting:  He rafted the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon many (maybe 12) times, including a honeymoon trip, and passed that love on to the family.

Sailing:  This adventure began with a board boat on Cochiti Lake and ended with a 27 foot Catalina that he and Susan sailed for several years in the Pacific NW.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Susan Harris; children, Edie Swan and husband, Scot Swan; grandchildren, Lauren Pollock, Brian Swan, Matthew Swan, Phillip Swan, and Andrew Swan; Mary Rempp and husband Keith; grandchildren, Heather Stein, Ryan Rempp, Brianna Garland, and Daniel Rempp; and Douglas Percival and wife Launa and grandchildren, Kate, Bret, and Callie; and sister, Faye Parker.

Greatgrandchildren:  Leah Pollock, Abigail Pollock, Rebekah Pollock, Marren Pollock, Sela Swan, Graham Swan, Norah Swan, Elizabeth Swan, and Arianne Swan.

He was greatly loved and will be missed.