Mark Zamkov ’74

Mark Zamkov, loving family man and loyal friend, lost a 15-year battle with cancer Aug. 31, 1998.

Zam arrived in New Haven from Poland in 1963, speaking no English. He earned admission to Princeton, where he gained the respect and friendship of many. Elected an undergraduate U-Store trustee and an officer of Colonial Club, Zam also taught Sunday Hebrew School. He joined Princeton's reconstituted ROTC unit, saying he owed his adopted country. Zam graduated magna cum laude in politics and obtained a master's from Southern Connecticut State College.

An exemplar of "Princeton in the Nation's Service," Zam served as an Army officer at the Korean DMZ, retiring as a major in the Reserves in Jan. 1998. A State Dept. foreign service officer since 1980, Zam served four tours in Africa, as well as at the State and Defense Departments.

He battled his illness and faced his impending death with a courage and grace both awe-inspiring and humbling. America now embraces Zam eternally at Quantico Military Cemetery.

To his wife, Eileen, their sons, of whom he was enormously proud, Samuel, Nathan, and David, and to his parents, sister, and extended family, the class extends its deepest sympathies.

The Class of 1974