| O. Gail Poole, Norman, OK | Aside from being a fun-loving, no complaints type of guy, Mark had an attitude
towards life that I deeply admired. Chasing a buck wasn't nearly as important
to him as was closing the Diner on a day that seemed perfect for chasing the
giant Black Bass that kept Mark's mind in fine tune. I was fortunate to spend
one day fishing with him and a good friend of mine. He was perfectly free from
all worldly cares as best as I could tell. I will always remember him sitting
in the boat's chair as he played with and, reeled in that big one. He had a
wealth of friends who like me, regret his transition from this life. We are
fortunate to have known him. |
Burden/ Berry Familys
Edmond, OK
| I worked for Mark for a few years as one of
his "Diner Girls". I was deeply saddened by the news of Mark passing. His jolly
spirit and "light -up" smile will be missed dearly in our family. I just want
the Amspacher family to know that your family will be and has always remained in
my prayers. The beauty and strength of your family, will get you through this
painful time, and will be the legacy of "Spatch". We love you all! |
Don and Betty Olmstead
NORMAN
| Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Don and Betty Olmstead |
Jess Burris
Norman, Oklahoma | The Diner has provided memories
that will last forever...Thank You. May God Bless. |
Mindy Jones
Norman OK
| My heart is heavy, and I know that words are
useless at a time like this, but knowing what Mark meant to others will help you
through. Whether behind the counter in the store or in a booth at the Diner he
always had something nice to say and seemed genuinely glad to see you. Our
daughters were classmates at McKinley, and long after those days were gone he
was happy to tell me with pride about his girls. God bless and keep you. |
Linda Chapman
Norman, OK
| My thoughts and prayers are with you at your
time of incredible loss. My memories of Marks wit and charm are priceless. The
one that stands out is the smell of Amspachers Grocery...and the foods that came
out of those cases! He will be missed |
Scott Sanger
Silver Spring, MD | Our thoughts and prayers are
with the Amspacher family. May the Lord's healing grace comfort all in this
time of grief.
Steve Sanger
and Family |
Marshall A. Pierson
Norman, OK
| I have known Mark since the mid to late
1950's. I lived around the corner on Carey Dr. and we used to play (Robbie too)
down by the bridge over the creek on Brooks St. Good memories, and when we would
see each other from time to time over the years, we could smile and reminisce
about the old days when we were little kids. Although we weren't close friends,
we were always good "old" friends and I will miss seeing his smiling face. Rest
well, my friend. |
Diane Abernathy
Norman/OK
| We were so so sorry to learn that Mark had
passed. Seeing him at The Diner was always a bright spot in our week--he will
be greatly missed in Norman!! |
Susan Bumgarner
Norman
| Mark was such an asset to our community. His
empty space will be impossible to fill. We were acquaintances of long standing,
and grew up a block apart. Our parents knew each other from high school. But
what made Mark special to me and to Norman was the way community revolved around
him. Both at the grocery and at the Diner, Norman life coalesced. Mark
nourished Norman.
Rest in peace, Mark. You will be sorely missed. |
The Rennels Family
Oklahoma City, OK
| Though we never met Mr. Amspacher personally,
we felt as if he was one of our friends. We have been Diner Customers for many
years and have always enjoyed not only the pictures on the wall, but the
delicious food that we've come to count on throughout the years. Our deepest
sympathies go out to the family. One life can touch so many people, Mr.
Amspacher is a shining example of this.
|
The Smeal Family
Norman, OK
| We are saddened to hear of Mark's passing.
His flair for food was a gift we enjoyed over many years. Our thoughts and
prayers are with you and your family. |
Justin Sober
Norman, OK
| I am so sorry to hear about Mark's
passing. He was a wonderful person who showed us his love through his food;
something I will always hold dear. His passing is a huge loss for all of us.
Goodbye Mark, you will be missed greatly. |
dee dee
Norman, OK
| I Love You Mark!!
dee dee |
Richard and Bonnie Montedoro
Norman, OK
| Mark was a sweetheart of a guy and always
personable. Bonnie and I have fond remembrances of him in the diner where he
always greeted us personally when he was there. Our sincere condolences go out
to Sarah, Bonnie and the rest of his family who have lost a real treasure far
too soon. May he rest in peace at the great fishing hole in heaven. |
Don Grob
Norman
| I can still smell that pot of bubbling
chili--except now, the heavenly aroma is wafting from Above. Mark, you were
truly a blessing for all while you were with us. Save me a stool at your
counter. I'll be by for one of your new, no-calorie omelets once I make it to
the Hereafter. |
David McDonald
Eagle, CO
| Will always remember you Mark.... So glad I
worked for you at Amspachers Southside Grocery when I was a kid. I had the
opportunity to teach you something new about the meat business last year and am
glad I got to thank you for all you had taught me. Thanks for always being so
good to my family throughout years. I am thankful to have known you as a friend
and mentor. You are missed!
David McDonald "little david" |
Mr./Mrs. Alejandro Lopez
Norman,Oklahoma
| My husband has worked for Mark for many
years and always looked to him with great respect. A many of time has come when
need and direction was a necessity to our family. Mark was always there to help
when a issue would arise. Mark being the accomplished man that he is will be
forever in our hearts and to the family he loves you will be in our prayers each
and every moment. Forever and Forever |
MAIA (ARTMAN) EVERHART
SULPHUR, OK
| The Amspachers have been life long friends and
we will miss Mark dearly.He
was a special friend to us and to so many others. Our love to the whole family |
KarenLee Kramer Brown
Midway, Kentucky 40347
| I didn't know Mark well but knew Gene and Aunt
Ruby and Uncle Bill (his grandparents) well as well as older brother Robbie. We
are cousins as my grandmother Carrie Mae McMahan Kramer and Ruby McMahan
Amspacher were sisters. My deepest sympathy to the family for their loss of a
well- loved community person in Norman. |
Janet Prater
Norman, OK
|
I used to work at Amspacher's Deli back in the day. I will always remember Mark
with a cat eating the "canary" grin. He and Gene taught me so many things about
cooking and catering and those are memories I will cherish forever. We had so
much fun! I remember the birth of Sara and Bonnie both and continued to see him
at the Diner. I hope you land that "big one" Spach. I'll miss you greatly! My
heart goes out to all the girls and especially to you, Geno.
Janet Prater |
J.R. Robison (J.R. Properties)
Norman,OK
| I am greatly saddened to hear of Mark's
passing. So many of us have had the pleasure of being a customer of Mark's for
many years. He is a part of Norman's history. He will be irreplaceable. |
Margaret Hutton
OKC, OK
| My husband and I went to High School with
Mark. I have eaten at the Diner as often as I could (when you could get in).
I enjoyed Mark on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. My condolences to the family.
Margaret(Rollins) and Gary Hutton
OKC, OK |
Jimmie Pickens
Newalla,Oklahoma
| So sorry for your loss. Mark was so thoughtful
to bring goodies to the nurses and staff on 4 north. He always had a beaming
smile and kind words. You were blessed to have him in your life. May God give
you peace and comfort, as only He can do. Praying and thinking of you |
Paul W Englund
Norman, OK
| I am very sorry for you loss. I remember Mark
from when he worked for me at Winchesters, and have enjoyed his company since I
moved back to OK. He was a happy, fun filled man, and he will be missed a lot. |
steve loeffelholz
norman okla
| my thoughts and prayers are with in this time
of need. |
calvin steves
norman okla
| my thoughts and prayers are with you in this
time of need. |
Bill & Mickey Austin
Norman, OK
| Bill & I would like to express our deepest
sympathy to the Amspacher family.
We will miss Mark calling Bill muleskinner when he greeted him at The Diner and
I was Mrs. Muleskinner.We loved his sense of humor especially when we were
having our tomato growing contest. Bill& Mickey Austin |
Sharon Davis
Lindsay/Oklahoma
| Claire, I am saddened to hear about the death
of your husband and children's father. I will pray for you and your family at
this time for hope that God may heal the pain and sorrow in your hearts. God
bless you! |
Jerry Whistler Snow
Norman, OK
| My family lived a few blocks from Amspachers
Grocery on Lindsey street. So I feel like a piece of my youth has gone with
Mark's death. I appreciated his kindness to my mother, Helen Whistler, in her
last years when Mark would personally delivere that quart of milk when she
needed a visit more than milk. His caring for his older customers was legend.
I will miss our brief visits when I circled by the Diner for a pint of his
famous chili. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Mark will be
missed by most of Norman, certainly by Clyde and Jerry Snow. |
Mary Jean Gunning Greene
Norman, OK
| You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Mark
will be greatly missed by so many; we were friends our whole lives, from the
time I would walk down to block and go to the grocery store and knowing him at
McKinley as well. In more recent years it was always a joy to see Mark around
town or at the Diner. My husband and I love to bring our guests to The Diner and
enjoyed visiting with Mark when he was there.
Love to all your family--may God comfort and strengthen you! |
Georgia Berry McCormick
Norman, Oklahoma
| Mark and the grocery store feed me when I was
in graduate school. Our hearts go out to your family. We know how difficult this
time is.
Georgia and Lauren Berry McCormick |
Jane Ash Yearout
Martinsburg, West Virginia | My deepest sympathy
goes to the entire Amspacher family. You are an integral part of my memories of
growing up in Norman. I can still see the grocery with Gene standing behind the
meat counter and Byron at the register. The chili aroma was great! Years ago I
found Robbie's name on the Vietnam Wall in Washington and remembered again. My
mother especially loved Mark's wit and often said he was one of her favorite
folks to have a conversation with. "I just love that Mark," she would say. I
especially appreciated his kindnesses to her in her later years. Norman has lost
a piece of its heart. |
Paul and Susan Bruce
Moore,ok.
| We want to say how sorry we are to hear about
your loss. Mark was truly a great guy.
When our son was here visiting and need to make some money, Mark gave him a job
at the dinner. Mark alway had something say to everyone no matter how well he
knew them. You aways felt like part of the family there at the dinner. We will
truly miss him.
God Bless you Susan and Paul Bruce |
Ches Williams
Dallas, Texas
| Mark was a good man. We grew up together and I
spent enough time with him to know that to be fact. I'm certain I can speak for
all our old McKinley, West, and NHS classmates in saying that there will always
be a special place in our hearts for him. Rest in peace Spach. |
Charles Borchardt
Norman, OK
| I was saddened to learn of Mark's passing. I
was one of Mark's Seventh Grade teachers at West Jr. High School in the '65-'66
school year. I had not seen or talked to Mark since that time. I attended the
memorial service today, and listened to two of his daughters talk about their
father, whom they clearly loved. I was happy to hear them describe in many ways
the young man I knew so many years ago. It was obvious that the young student
had become a very successful person. I extend my deepest sympathies to Mark's
family. |
Betty Abercrombie White
Norman, Oklahoma
| Mark was a wonderful and a very kind hearted
person. My brother, Ralph and I graduated from Norman High (1971) with Mark and
Tema. I have many good memories of them. Mark could always put a smile on your
face and tell stories better than anyone. My thoughts and prayers are with your
family. I am so sorry for your loss. He was a great person. May God give you
comfort and strength during this very hard time. |
Vicki Jansing
Norman, OK
| Mark was also well known for his ribs and I
devoured hundreds from Southside and also when Mark would make them on special
occasions "just for me". We had a standard greeting each and every time we saw
each other. I would say "I just want to nibble on one of YOUR ribs." And he
would always get that big smile of his and close his eyes and say " OOHHH BABY!"
There are many other cherished memories that I will hold dear to my heart.
Claire, Gene and family, we all love you and will keep Mark's memory alive with
laughter and stories for a very long time! |
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