By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Dr. Mark

Harry Berst Mark Jr. was a race car enthusiast and antique firearms expert. But the University of Cincinnati chemistry professor especially distinguished himself in his field.

"Harry was well-respected by his colleagues at the University of Cincinnati and abroad," said his friend Charles M. Meyer of Eden Park. "He was passionate about a variety of interests and enjoyed life to the fullest."

Zelda Bailey, his secretary for 15 years, said Dr. Mark was willing to lend a helping hand to anyone. "We never saw him angry, we never heard a bad word from him. He had a wonderful sense of humor," she said.

Dr. Mark of Clifton died March 4 at his residence. He was 69.

He was born in Camden, N.J., in 1934 to Harry B. and Placid Truchsess Mark. He earned a bachelor's in chemistry at the University of Virginia in 1956; a Ph.D. in chemistry from Duke University in 1960; and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina (1962) and the California Institute of Technology (1963).

While teaching at the University of Michigan, Dr. Mark was recruited as a professor by the UC Department of Chemistry in 1970. He served as head of the department from 1976 to 1981.

Dr. Mark was an electrochemist and analytical chemist of international repute. In addition to publishing more than 300 articles in scientific journals, he wrote or edited 14 books. He also served on the editorial boards of eight international scientific publications.

He received the Medaille d'Hommage from Universite Libre de Bruxelles in 1970; American Chemical Society, Cincinnati Section, Chemist of the Year award (1976; George Rieveschl Jr. Award for Distinguished Scientific Research (1984; Distinguished Scientist Award, Technical Societies of Cincinnati (1987); and UC's McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, Dean's Award for Research and Scholarship (2000).

Dr. Mark loved automobiles and drove Maseratis and a Ferrari. He also drove Sprint and Midget cars on the U.S. Auto Club circuit from 1973 to 1977 and was on the USAC Technical Committee (1975-77). An international expert on antique Colt firearms, he published five papers on pre-Civil War firearms.

Survivors include two sons, David J. of Norwood and Steven F. of Cincinnati; a daughter, Sarah E. Helton of St. Bernard; a sister, Dorothy Arbogast of Lewisburg, Pa; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service is being planned.

Memorials: Harry B. Mark Jr. Endowed Fellowship, UC Foundation, Box 19970, Cincinnati, OH 45219-0970.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com.