Mark Regan
September 29, 1963 - March 11, 2022
Obituary
MIDDLETON - Mark S. Regan, age 58, of Middleton, died peacefully at home on Friday, March 11, 2022, after undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma since January of 2018. He was born on Sept. 29, 1963, in Long Beach, Calif., the son of Robert and Penelope (Colesar) Regan. Mark grew up in Southern and then Northern California, and always loved playing and watching sports - particularly baseball. In the summer of 1978, he moved with his family to the Chicago area. Throughout that summer, he and his brother watched Chicago Cubs games on TV. So began a lifelong, sometimes frustrating, passion for his beloved Cubbies. His devotion was rewarded in 2016, when Mark and his family reveled as the team formerly known as the “Lovable Losers” finally won it all.
Mark earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1985 and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria in 1990. While attending medical school, he met his future wife, Margo Hoover. Mark completed an Internal Medicine residency at Evanston Hospital/Northwestern University - including a year as chief resident - and a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of California, San Diego. He and Margo were married on Sept. 14, 1996, in their beloved city of Chicago. After working as a Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine physician in Orange, Calif., and then Indianapolis, Ind., Mark joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. During his 20-year UW career, he was known as an excellent clinician educator and a compassionate provider who maintained a calm demeanor and displayed empathy in all interactions with seriously ill patients and their families. He was a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the American Thoracic Society and was also a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians.
In addition to being a Chicago Cubs fan, Mark was devoted to the Wisconsin Badgers, Illini basketball and, in more recent years, Premier League and Major League Soccer. His contagious enthusiasm made traveling to Major League Baseball stadiums, as well as minor league and college games and other sporting events, the highlights of many family vacations.
Mark enjoyed the outdoors during all four seasons, especially in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where he and his family spent time at their cabin on Franklin Lake in Minocqua. Cycling, sailing, cross country skiing and annual fly-fishing trips with his dad and brother were among Mark’s favorite pastimes. He was strongly devoted to preserving the environment and combating climate change.
A review of Mark’s life would not be complete without mentioning music. He had eclectic tastes and especially enjoyed alternative rock and bluegrass. His favorite band was The Replacements. He and Margo celebrated their anniversary more than once by attending live performances by The ’Mats. Playing guitar was one of his favorite ways to unwind from his busy career and life in general.
Mark is survived by his wife, Margo; two sons, Quin and Cameron; mother, Penny Regan; brother and dearest friend, Damon (Elena) Regan; sister, Deborah (Haydee Lalli) Nicklaus; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Sara and Stanley Hoover; sister-in-law, Lisa (John) Murray; nieces, Chelsea Johnson, Claire and Molly Regan, Kelly Nicklaus, and Emma and Janey Murray; nephews, Chance Nicklaus and Will and Luke Murray; and his beloved dog, Fergie. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Regan; and his sister, Christine Regan.
Per Mark’s preference, no funeral service will be held. Instead, please raise a glass in Mark’s memory and laugh with dear friends and family. This is the most fitting and authentic way to honor his life and legacy.
Memorials may be made in Mark’s name to the Trillium Fund in Multiple Myeloma Research (fund number 112903576) by visiting www.supportuw.org/give or Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts at https://gatheringwaters.org/donate-today
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761