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 Mark inspects the ordnance, Manassas, Virginia.
Biography of Mark C. Deren
Mark Christopher Deren was born in Abington Hospital (near Philadelphia, PA) on January 16, 1960 to Mary Ann and Henry Thomas Deren. He was the sixth of seven children. His earliest memories involve standing in his crib, next to the hi-fi and listening to freshly made speeches of President John F. Kennedy. At age 2 1/2, Mark was already springing off the diving board and swimming to the side of the pool. At age four, Mark and his family moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He started first grade at St. Ambrose's Episcopal School (under the Palm Trees). Being slightly immature for the task, he would often escape at lunch break and go see his mom. He was a frisky kid with sun-bleached hair. His mother always reminded him to smile and say "thank you." Mark's father was a Naval Officer and stationed at Port Everglades. He was often out to sea. Mark's mom stayed home to entertain the kids. After two years, Mark's father got transferred back to Pennsylvania. "My mother drove the seven of us back to PA in a Volkswagen bus. One motel owner was so impressed with our charm, he let us stay overnight practically for free," said Deren. Mark attended two years of Catholic School in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He had a nasty teacher named "Mrs. Melly." Mark called her "Ms. Smelly" for short.
"She had a problem that I wrote with my left hand. My mom came in, gave Ms. Smelly a tongue lashing she'd never forget, then pulled me from the school. What a great relief for poor little left-handed "chicken scratch" Marky Deren." Mark started forth grade in public school.
 Jeff, Hank, Mark, & Nancy at the "boob tube" (TV).
Mark and his older brother Hank were inseparable. They joined the swim team at the local Naval Base. Mark soon found his way to the diving board to help alleviate the pain of swimming in "freezing water." Mark's first record album purchase was "Flowers" by the Rolling Stones. He was now eight and liked the progressive rock elements of the music. Soon thereafter, he got a job at the local farm picking flowers. It was "another day, another dollar"..literally!
Mark became a dedicated wrestler in the footsteps of his oldest brother Thomas. One summer, his mother sent him to wrestling camp in Virginia to train under the Olympic Champion Dan Gable. In 9th grade, Deren was the undefeated champion of Lower Bucks County. "My mother was always there at the matches as if she only had one kid. She gave me much attention. I could always hear her screaming from the bleachers, "Go Mark, Go Mark. You can do it!"
Mark liked "creative writing" class very much. He played many sports and listened to bands like Camel, E.L.P., Genesis, Gentle Giant, YES, etc. "These bands were always good for getting my adrenaline flowing," said Mark. "It was a natural way to get high."
His first concert was Gentle Giant in 1974.
One day at wrestling practice, Mark did one too many push-ups and found himself crying from the pain in his arms. He quit wrestling. On the same day he joined the diving team. Within two years of flopping on his back, stomach and face, he learned all of the dives. "No Pain, No Gain" was the motto. His efforts earned him an athletic scholarship to Rider College in New Jersey, under coach Richard Coppola.
 Finalist - East Coast Conference Championships, 1980.
Mark's room at home was filled wall-to-wall with travel posters from foreign embassies. "I wanted to travel and become a diplomat," said Mark. A place he wanted to visit most was Australia. After one year of college, he fulfilled that dream. At age 18 he hitchhiked completely around Australia and the North Island of New Zealand. The following year, he became NJ State Collegiate Diving Champion, thanks to the newfound strength in his legs. He also travelled to Kodiak Island, Alaska with his girlfriend during a seven-week camping trip. "Watching soaring Bald Eagles and Kodiak Bears around a large pristine lake, surrounded by towering mountains is an unforgettable life experience, that nobody can take away from me," said Mark.
In 1982, Deren graduated from Rider College with a B.A. in Journalism. Besides having an office job, Mark also coached (with success) diving teams on both the high school and collegiate levels. In 1985, he travelled to England, Scotland and Holland. It was there that he decided that he'd move to Southern Florida and make a fresh start. His decision was rewarded with a job that offered extensive worldwide travel and a glamorous "globetrotting" lifestyle. He got a position as business manager, photographer and correspondent to the world famous portrait painter, Ralph Wolfe Cowan. "I was equipped with sales skills, writing skills and other communication skills. However, the most important factor in getting this job was the world travel experience I had acquired during my four years of college," said Mark.
After several years in Florida, Mark met his Dutch wife to be Ingrid. "Iran, Iraq, I got married!" said Mark, quoting the popular TV show "Married with Children".
The couple lived in Yardley, Pennsylvania for three years. In March 1993, they moved to Holland. Mark attended language school for two years and worked full-time. Still, it was "tough going" in a new country. The couple parted as friends in 1996. Being an avid swimmer, Mark chose to work at a luxurious swimming pool, sport, suana, and restaurant complex in Heemskerk called "De Waterakkers." He recently celebrated 10 years of service to his company. He is multi-talented, bilingual, heterosexual, and possesses duel citizenship in both the United States of America and The Netherlands.
 Mark looks out over the Gulf of Alaska.
- Written by Mark from Holland.
©1997-2004 RADIOMAN
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