October 15, 1936 – August 28, 2021
Mark has been frequently described as loving, kind, and caring… brilliant, insightful, and wise. He was passionately dedicated to compassionate connection, equal voice, and supporting the highest potential and well-being in himself, his family, and others. Mark treasured, nurtured, and sustained relationships with his families, friends, and associates in both Columbus and Atlanta, as well as the many he developed anywhere he went throughout his life.
With his Atlanta-based Life Partner of 25 years, Cynthia Moe, Mark helped co-found and support nonprofit organizations in Atlanta, Georgia and Columbus, Ohio to promote the spread of Nonviolent CommunicationSM (NVC) learning, practice, and consciousness. Together they hosted and provided NVC learning opportunity for well over two thousand learners around the country.
Mark’s Yale and Harvard engineering and architectural education were foundational to not only a very prominent 50 year architectural and urban design practice in native Columbus, Ohio but also development of many community well-being efforts and long-time and enduring friendships elsewhere.
Known for his quick wit and humorous handling of sensitive situations, Mark continued to occasionally surprise and delight family and friends with his wry remarks until the end of his days. Mark’s present families, future generations, and many friends inherit a legacy of genuine love as remembrance of Mark’s keen interest, acceptance, and deep caring continue to companion them.
Uncannily middle-named Goodman by his parents, Kay and Mark D. Feinknopf, many experienced Mark as just that – a truly Good Man. In their years together, Cynthia never heard him say an unkind thing about another person.
More than anything Mark enjoyed creating Beauty, Ease, and Opportunity through which he and others could not just live but thrive. His dedication to Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual wellbeing were inspiring. He loved listening carefully to others so that they could hear themselves and discern their own next correct steps. Mark reveled in art, music, and nature wherever he went – museums, concerts, theatre, gardens, and his own lush Tucker environs.
Collaboration and Cooperation being also high values for Mark, he loved developing and working with teams. These priorities led him to serve on many boards and participate in many community efforts throughout his life. Mark was characteristically proactive in questioning proposed action that fell short of meeting his needs for Equal Opportunity and Voice, Respect of, and Consideration for all concerned. He was also unrelenting and tenacious in his determination to be the best that he could be.
After meeting Cynthia on his birthday in 1996 and moving to Tucker, Mark shared his extensive community-building expertise as Urban Planner to the MARTA Lindbergh Transit-Oriented Development effort. He initiated and contributed to many Tucker Civic Association and Community Art Tucker efforts. Mark served on the Main Street Tucker Board as well as initiated and chaired a Neighborhood Watch in his own community.
In Columbus Mark is survived by his son Brad, his wife Abby and their sons Jackson and Miles; and his daughter, Kim Dorrian, her husband Joe, and their children Mason and Lainey. Mark was preceded in death by his wife of thirty-five years Sheila L. Feinknopf and his sister Ellen F. Mack of Fort Worth, Texas.
In Atlanta area Mark is survived by Life Partner, Cynthia Sipes Ugan Moe; her son Kevin and his partner Andrew; her son Steven and his wife Pam; her grandchildren Sarah Ugan Stice, Savannah Ugan, Jessica Ugan Glanton, and Isaac Ugan; and her great-granddaughter Clara Stice.
An indoor-outdoor Celebration of Mark’s life will be held at his Tucker home on Sunday, October 10, 2021, 1-4 PM. All interested in stopping by are invited to bring a written copy of and to share a favorite story of their experience with Mark and/ or email it and favorite photos to: MGFMemories@gmail.com, which will be the repository for a keepsake book for the family of Mark’s considerable legacy. (The family requests that all attendees please wear a mask.)
In lieu of flowers, please make charitable contributions to the Mark G. Feinknopf Legacy Fund to benefit Mark’s many community passions in both cities. It will be administered via The Columbus Foundation, 1234 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205 or https://columbusfoundation.org