October 27, 2015

　　Mark Fred Padow, 79, of Leawood, Kan., passed away October 20. Mark retired from ACA (then National Paint & Coatings Association) as director of industry affairs in 1995. He was a beloved colleague and valuable member of the association’s team for 32 years.

　　Mark was born May 9, 1936, in Richmond, Va., but later moved to Washington, D.C. After graduating from Anacostia High School, Mark earned a BS from the University of Maryland. He worked for several public relations firms before spending joining NPCA. During that time Mark married Frances Petrovic and raised two children. An avid sports fan, Mark loved all sports and spent many weekends transporting his children to tennis tournaments. Retirement was short lived after moving to Kansas City, Mo., in 1995.

　　Mark edited a trade sales journal and worked as a customer service rep for American Century. A music store employee in college, Mark returned to the “record store” for nearly 10 years at Barnes and Noble. From Bach to Brookmeyer to Beiber, Mark could speak to any genre, especially jazz, and shared his passion with anyone who had time to chat.

　　Mark is preceded in death by his mother, Bernice Kahn, father, David Padow, and stepfather, Ben Schwartz. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Frances, daughter, Erika Martin (Joe), son, Michael (Megan), grandson, Jack, and many devoted friends and extended family members.