Tribute to Mark Zovak

[Outdoor Talk Network by Jim Slinsky]

Tribute to Mark Zovak

     On February 25, 2010 my webmaster and friend of more than 15 years took his own life. I remain in shock and truly don't know if I will ever really be at peace with this tragedy. He was unhappy with a number of developments in his life, but no one imagined he would abruptly end his time on this good earth.

     Mark Zovak was the kind of guy that went out his way to be nice and help people. During your first conversation with him, he would probably offer to do something for you. I met him one evening in 1995 when we both coincidently attended a Lehigh River Stocking Association meeting. He came to my house the next day to talk about water quality. Mark was adamant about clean water in our rivers and streams. He was a self-appointed river keeper so to speak, checking the discharge pipes of sewage treatment plants and businesses along the Lehigh River. If he found pollution he would soon be threatening action if the township or company didn't correct it. We were soon great friends, hunting and fishing together. He absolutely loved animals and always had cats and dogs in his life.

     Within a short time Mark was building a website for this radio show. He quickly became a self-taught computer expert. These past few years I began to refer to him as my guru. He did far more for me than my website. Mark got me advertising leads, he got me guests and Mark secured new stations to air this show. Keep in my mind I never asked him to do a single thing for me. He took upon himself to help. He was always helping his friends. Mark was also the webmaster for the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania, another website he built from scratch. Once again he was helping, this time the hunters and fishermen of PA.

     Mark Zovak was a giver. If he had it and you needed it, he would give it to you. If he had a contact and he could get it for you, he would get it. He willed me the majority of his personal possessions, which I will cherish for the remainder of my life. Before he ended his life he asked me to take care of his two dogs, if anything should happen to him. I have Roxy beside me as I write this. Mark's other close friend, Todd "Hollywood" Geist, graciously requested to adopt Zoë, a Rottweiler and I agreed.

     No one even remotely similar to Mark Zovak will ever come into my life again. He was truly one-of-a-kind. His wake was packed with people whose lives were intimately touched by him. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. This has been one of the greatest tragedies to ever hit my life.

It has taken me almost two months to write about this. I pray often that he has been accepted by God and that his soul will remain in Heaven for all eternity. I look forward to seeing him again when my time comes to leave this good earth.

Jim Slinsky
April 19, 2010