Dr. Manwaring's Obituary

6/15/2009
Services for Dr. Manwaring Announced:
11:00 am, Wednesday, June 17 at the
Moscow Stake Center, 1657 South Blaine St, Moscow:

 

Mark Leonard Manwaring passed away Thursday, June 11, 2009, at the home he loved near Deary, Idaho. He was 61.

Born October 6, 1947, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Leonard H. and Margaret (Peterson) Manwaring, he received his early schooling in Idaho Falls.

Married to Loraine Knutson June 7, 1968, Mark was a loving husband and father of five children: Michael (Nicole Harmon); Jonathan (Brenna Helm); Daniel (Maira McGill); Rebekah (Adrian Genz); and Emily (Tyler Laing).

Mark received his B.S. (1970), M.S. (1975) and Ph.D. (1978) in electrical engineering from Utah State University. While in his Ph.D. program, he had the opportunity to work on a communication system design that was flown on one of the early flights of the space shuttle. Also during this time, he entered the U.S. Air Force through the ROTC program and earned his wings as a pilot. He served as a jet aircraft instructor pilot from 1972 to 1976.

Mark joined the Department of Electrical Engineering at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., as an assistant professor in 1978. During the 21 years he worked at WSU, he was promoted to the rank of associate professor (1983) and professor (1988). In 1999, he accepted a position as a professor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. During this time, he co-founded and directed a major research facility called the Brain Instrumentation Laboratory. In 2006, he accepted the position of chair of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Idaho.

In all of his extensive teaching, research, and electronic design, he advised 120 graduate students, published a textbook and more than 90 professional articles, and created five patents. He enjoyed his field of study as a professional and as a hobbyist. He was a ham radio operator from the age of 13 and most recently had the call sign of N7MN.

Mark was an active member of the LDS church, serving in many positions including bishop and temple ordinance worker.

Survived by his wife, Loraine, of 41 years, five children, seven grandchildren whom he adored, and siblings Kim Manwaring and Ann Hayes. A sister, Jessie Loosli, preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at the Moscow, Idaho, Stake Center, 1657 S. Blaine St., with President Craig Dalton of the Troy Branch of the LDS Church conducting. Burial will follow at the Pullman City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the University of Idaho Computer Science Department scholarship fund would be appreciated.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel, Moscow, and online condolences may be left at www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.

Obituary originally printed on the Moscow-Pullman Daily News