Mark Gegner is remembered by those who knew him as an aviator and a seasoned technician who loved planes and being around them; a mentor, a leader, a friend, and an airport neighbour whom anyone could count on.
Markham Dean Gegner died on March 6, 2022 at 59. He had served in the military for 21 years, then worked as an aircraft technician for a further 20 years. He kept a Cessna 150 at the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport (MJMA) and was a member of the Flying Club there.
“I just recently moved back to Moose Jaw, SK after being away for over 10 years,” said Major Steve (Stu) Hurlbut of 431 Air Demonstration Squadron. “Luck would have it I ended up owning the same hangar that I occupied back then. On the first week back at Moose Jaw I was moving into my hangar on a glorious sunny day with hangar doors wide open. Around the corner came a familiar face from over a decade ago! I forgot his name initially but recognized his demeanor and smile right away – something that everyone who knew him can imagine I’m sure.”
Major Hurlbut remembers Mark as a quiet, kind person who was always a pleasure to talk to. As Hurlbut settled into his hangar, he found some tools and supplies he didn’t need and decided to give them to Mark.
“He insisted on filling my fridge with beverages (even) after I told him it was not necessary,” Hurlbut said. “Mark also presented the tools and left over items to other people for their use which I found very generous. He will be sorely missed as a fellow aviator and friend.”
Kim Reynolds, a friend and co-worker of Gegner for many years, served as his supply technician, handing him parts as he worked.
“He was a seasoned technician who kept a cool head in (high-pressure) situations,” Reynolds said, “a leader on his crew and a friend to all.”
Reynolds’ daughter Kelly also worked with Mark – at the MJMA, where he kept his plane and flew recreationally.
“He was our favourite client and we enjoyed our interactions with him over our respective counters… We all miss him very much,” Reynolds said.
Jason Langton, a CAE aircraft technician, remembers Mark as “the definition of what it means to be a mentor.”
“Mark was always the one guy on the crew you could approach. We all felt a sense of trust with him,” Langton said. “You could talk to him about any snag, any problem, and he always made the time for every one of us. He understood if he needed to follow up or check back with you.”
“Like any true mentor should be, he was always happy to see others succeed,” Langton added. “It is a pleasure and a privilege to have called him my mentor and my friend.”
Gerry Julian is a former president of the Flying Club and board member of the MJMA Authority, which administers the airport. He was devastated to learn of Gegner’s death.
“Mark was one of the truly good guys,” Julian said. “I got to know him fairly well… He not only kept his parking area neat, he didn’t stop there and always mowed the grass around my hangar too.”
Julian said he didn’t start his own mower for about the last three years – he never had to.
“I offered, more than once, to let him keep his mower and tractor in (my) hangar, but he always declined, saying they were fine under the wing of his plane… Just a great guy, and a wonderful neighbour. He exemplified the spirit we all aspire to in our small aviation community.”
Julian said he hopes Gegner’s family takes comfort in knowing that Mark meant a lot to those who knew him even casually.
“He was a great airport neighbour,” Julian continued, “a man generous with his time and efforts, who just loved being around and working on airplanes and was always willing to help anyone who needed it.”
