Mark Douglas Ahrendsen

Mark Ahrendsen, 69, retired Transportation Director for the City of Durham, passed peacefully at home on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Mark lived life to the fullest, despite being diagnosed with advanced lung cancer more than four years ago. He enjoyed retirement and, prior to the pandemic, traveled extensively with his wife Cathy exploring the country and visiting family and friends.

Growing up on a farm in rural Jones County, Iowa, Mark cherished his heritage where he learned the value of family, character, and hard work. He took pride in every task and did his best to see that the job was well done. He was bright and talented, yet always humble, recognizing other’s accomplishments instead of his own.

Mark graduated from the University of Iowa, earning a BS in Industrial and Management Engineering and a MS with a concentration in Urban Planning. Mark’s career included 27 years with the City of Durham, initially as a Transportation Engineer and then as Transportation Director from 2010 -2016. Mark was instrumental in the public acquisition of the former Duke Power Transit System that operates today as the Durham Area Transit Authority.

Throughout the years, he made significant contributions to state and regional public transportation initiatives. His progressive leadership was recognized early. In 1994, Mark received the Governor’s Public Transportation award, and in 2016 received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Carolina Public Transportation Association.

Mark was a man of deep faith and an active member of Trinity Avenue Presbyterian church in Durham for more than 30 years. He was a deacon, an elder, member of the weekly building and grounds crew, George Watts Sunday school class, centering prayer group and a treasured member of the men’s study group.

He volunteered with Meals on Wheels and enjoyed the rural Orange County route that allowed him to connect with some of the most isolated seniors. Mark will be remembered for his kindness, compassion, sense of humor and gentle spirit.

His hobbies included spending time with family, reading, music, sports, classic movies, visiting Bed and Breakfasts and cruising in his Miata convertible. Mark is survived by his loving wife Cathy and sons Tim, Tyler (Sharifa), Nick (Kristin), Christopher, and Joseph. He also is survived by brothers Monte (Margo) Ahrendsen and Bruce (Jolene) Ahrendsen. He was beloved Grandpa Mark to Leo, Claire, Beth, and Zephyr. He is pre-deceased by his mother Donna Ahrendsen and his father Gayle Ahrendsen.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sat., Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church in Durham.
927 W. Trinity Avenue
Durham, NC 27701

Mark’s ashes will be interred in the garden at Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church (TAPC) during a private family ceremony.

Condolences can be sent to www.hallwynne.com. Contributions may be made in Mark’s memory to the following:

Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church/Crisis Assistance Fund www.trinityave.org/giving

Help Hope Live/Rachel Doboga fund https://helphopelive.org/campaign/16990/
Cathy’s niece was diagnosed with ALS when she was 28 and is on a ventilator.
Donations fund in-home nursing care and respite for her husband Evan.

Camp Courageous www.campcourageous.org
Mark’s two adult nephews, Doug and Kevin Ahrendsen, have special needs and have attended this camp for more than 25 years.