Mark S. Krull

A life dedicated to helping others live theirs

These words capture the spirit of a man who moved through the world with gentleness, humor, and an unwavering instinct to do what was right. Mark Krull, 73, died Sunday, July 26, after a stroke and related complications. He left this world in the season he loved most - the warm months when golf courses open early, fireflies light up the sky, and meadows are in full bloom. Born May 16, 1953, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Mark was the oldest of five children. He grew up with a baseball glove on one hand and a golf club in the other, a naturally gifted athlete who became the lead pitcher on a softball team that won the Minnesota state championship. Sports came easily to him, but he carried his talent lightly - a worn T-shirt, a faded cap, and joy in the game were all he ever needed. Mark’s path eventually led him to Pittsburgh, where he earned his graduate degree at Duquesne University and met the love of his life, Karen. Together they built a marriage of 46 years marked by devotion, laughter, and a shared curiosity about the world. They traveled widely, read voraciously, and found beauty in simple things - bike rides, neighborhood walks, and the comfort of returning home. For 33 years, Mark worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, helping people secure welfare, food stamps, and Social Security benefits. Later, as a mobile therapist for Mercy Behavioral Health, he met with people during their most vulnerable moments. He listened without judgment, asked questions that opened doors, and offered guidance with compassion. Once, seeing an empty refrigerator and a broken-down car, he drove a client and her children to the grocery store and bought them food. This was Mark - giving what he could without the expectation of anything in return. In retirement, Mark’s days were filled with the things he loved most: golfing (he was finally shooting his age, even after quadruple bypass surgery), reading, watching films, and cuddling with his cat, Chloe. He taught his grandchildren to golf and let them paint his face with sidewalk chalk, a gentle man who understood that silliness is its own kind of love. He regularly visited his daughter, Katherine, in California, and traveled back to St. Paul to visit his mother and spend time with his siblings, nieces, and nephews. In addition, he was elected to the Hampton Township Democratic Committee and served on the board of the Hampton Community Library. Mark is survived by his devoted wife, Karen; his beloved daughters Katherine and Emily (David); his grandchildren, Evelyn and James; his mother, Phyllis; his brothers David (Elizabeth) and Chris; and his sisters Lori (Ron) and Melissa. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond. He will be buried at Penn Forest Natural Burial Park, surrounded by his immediate family. A celebration of his life will be held on a later date. Mark's life reminds us that meaning is found not in grand gestures, but in small acts of generosity that ripple outward. Through giving, he changed the world, one quiet deed at a time. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Mark's name to First Tee Pittsburgh to help economically disadvantaged children learn the gift of golf would be most appreciated.     https://firstteepittsburgh.org/donate-2/