Mark William Kunst's Obituary
Mark William Kunst, of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Bethesda, Maryland, passed away peacefully on December 24th, 2024, at the age of 65. He was surrounded by his family at home.
Mark was born in Grafton, West Virginia, to James (Jim) William and Mary Ann (Reese) Kunst on February 11th, 1959. The family moved from Grafton to Prince George’s County MD, in 1960 when Jim became an engineer with NASA, settling in Lanham, MD. He graduated from DuVal High School in 1979 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Delaware in 1986. He received his Juris Doctor from Delaware Law School in 1989 and a Masters in Taxation Law from Georgetown University in 1995.
After law school, Mark began his legal career as an associate counsel to the United Mine Workers Association Health and Retirement Funds in Washington, DC. In 1991, he married Mary Byron, daughter of former United States Congressional representatives from the 6th district of Maryland, Goodloe and Beverly Byron.
He remained with the UMWA until 1992, when he joined Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger and Hollander in Baltimore, MD. In 1994, Mark joined O'Donoghue and O’Donoghue, LLP in Washington, DC, becoming a partner in 1999. During his 27 year legal career, Mark specialized in qualified plans, welfare benefits, and ERISA litigation. Mark retired from private practice at O'Donoghue at the end of 2020.
Mark and Mary’s love of each other and for Rehoboth Beach began while dating in college. So it was little surprise when they permanently relocated to their long-time beach house in 2021. There, Mark enjoyed renovating their home and volunteering for the State of Delaware Office of the Child Advocate, as an attorney, ensuring that children in the legal system had proper legal representation. Never one to be intellectually idle, in the beginning of 2024, Mark excitedly returned to full -time practice of law as a Deputy Attorney General in the Department of Finance and Revenue division for the Delaware Department of Justice.
While Mark, Mary, and their two children, Byron and Katherine, traveled extensively to exotic places throughout the world, it was the simpler things in life that brought Mark the most joy: he loved to spend his days sitting on the beach reading the newspaper and taking in the action, sipping a good Bourbon or glass of wine with a fine meal, and listening to music while watching the sun set over some tropical waterway. Mark had a brilliant mind so he didn't suffer fools lightly. He had a great sense of humor and was very sentimental. His children were his pride and joy and he loved nothing more than watching them grow into the fine adults that they have become, navigating life. He enjoyed eating oysters on holidays with his family and taking his beloved poodle Kula for a ball throw on the beach. He was a fabulous cook and his skills were renowned by all who knew him. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing his summer bounty with friends and neighbors.
Mark was a die-hard DMV sports fan, an unwavering lifetime supporter of all the Washington teams, as well as the Maryland Terrapins. He was always proud of his West Virginia roots and the Mountaineers always held a special place in his heart. In the last few years, Mark found joy in cheering for NASCAR driver William Byron, his wife’s 2nd cousin.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Mary, his children Byron and Katherine, all of Rehoboth, as well as his mother Mary Ann Kunst of Severna Park, MD. He was preceded in death by his father, Jim, in 2014. Other survivors include his siblings Susan (Clint) Boushell of Severna Park, MD, Jeffrey (Diane) Kunst of McLean, VA, and Matthew (Tricia) Kunst of Davidsonville, MD, as well as many nieces, nephews, and in-laws who loved him dearly. Mark will always be remembered as a loyal and loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.
The family will host family and friends at a celebration of his life on Saturday, January 18th, at Rehoboth Beach Yacht and Country Club, 221 West Side Drive, Rehoboth Beach, DE. Mary and the children will receive guests at 1 PM, followed by a memorial service at 2 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Center For the Inland Bays, Rehoboth Beach, DE or Maui Strong, Lahaina, HI.
“Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile”- Grateful Dead (1972)
Please visit Mark's Life Memorial at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
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