Mark Quinn Constantz
Sept. 16, 1954-June 24, 2022
Menlo Park, California

Mark Quinn Constantz, 67, passed away in Redwood City on June 24th 2022 of complications related to respiratory health. He is survived by his daughter Elizabeth and her husband, son-in-law Andrew Kassen of San Jose, brothers Robert B. Constantz Jr. M.D. of Simi Valley, James E. Constantz of Portola Valley, and Brent R. Constantz, also of Portola Valley, as well as three sister-in-laws, and ten nieces and nephews. He was the son of Dr. Robert and Mrs. Kate Constantz of Portola Valley. Mark was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife Caroline H. Constantz, who he met and married when they were students at the University of California at Davis.

Mark attended Ladera Elementary School for K-5th grade, Portola Valley School for 6th – 8th grades, Woodside High School (Class of 1972), and the University of California at Davis in Studio Art. He further obtained two Master’s Degrees in Painting and in Sculpture, and briefly taught art at San Jose State University and sold his paintings to earn a living. He held successful displays of his works at well-established galleries. He later earned a Masters in Library Science from the University of California at Berkeley. Mark’s professional life was as a medical librarian for San Mateo County. Mark was honored as an outstanding employee by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in a Courthouse Ceremony.

During his formative years Mark was very active in competitive swimming at Ladera Oaks Swim and Tennis Club in Ladera under Coach George French, going to swimming practice daily. He swam on Woodside High School’s swim team and held records in the back stroke. His true passion was always his artwork from his earliest days. In High School he branched out into film as well and produced short and animated films. At Davis, Mark studied under Wayne Thiebaud and Richard Diebenkorn, as well as other renown artists.

He was a doting father to his daughter Liz and played an equal parental role in partnership with his wife Caroline in raising her to become an outstanding and accomplished young woman. Mark was known for his sense of humor, both in his original cartooning as well as his routines at stand-up comedy clubs. He could keep any dinner party fully entertained with jokes and funny stories, as well as drawings.

Tags: arts/media, teacher/educator, sports, public service