WV Chapter President Mark Double Retires

Published October 25, 2023

By WV Board Member Lewis Cook

Over a brisk weekend in early October, during the Annual West Virginia Chestnut Festival in Rowlesburg Mark Double, WV-TACF Chapter President, retired from his duties. Chapter Board member Lewis A. Cook shared these kind words about his time with Mark.

If we are fortunate, each of us meets someone who is so special that we are better because we have them in our lives. Mark is one of those lifelong acquaintances that fulfilled that role for me, and I am sure many others.

Mark has extraordinary abilities in kindness, praise, organization, and responsibility, that enriches everyone around him. His knowledge, energy, and fairness make him a pleasure to be around and work with. He stays away from complaining and criticism in deference to compliments and support. I have never observed him in a bad mood or expressing anger.

His contribution to the West Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation is marked by his organizational ability; those of us around him serve only as support staff. Any efforts or accomplishments we have made are only due to his leadership skills.

Mark Double Smiling in 2018

Mark had the foresight and good sense to find a wonderful life partner, Mindy. She is a significant part of the very positive experience of being associated with Mark. 

Losing a Chapter leader like Mark creates a sense of loss and anxiety. Certainly, he cannot be replaced, but we are optimistic about the next leader, Bernie Coyle, who will have his own distinct style that will be appreciated for different reasons. 

Lewis A. Cook 

Board Member, West Virginia Chapter 

The American Chestnut Foundation 

Sara Fitzsimmons in 2005 with Jim Gage, Dr Phil Arnold, Dr Robert Gregg

2005
Sara Fern Fitzsimmons with Jim Gage, Dr Phil Arnold, & Dr Robert Gregg

2006, Sara Fitzsimmons pollinates at Stockers

2006
Sara pollinating at Stockers, PA

Sara rating cankers at Thorpewood

Sara rating cankers at Thorpewood, MD

Sara at the 25th Annual TACF meeting

2008
Sara at the 25th Annual TACF Meeting

Sara and the Graves tree

2009
Sara in the PSU Graves Orchard

Sara Fern Fitzsimmons in the Glenn Swank stump, 2009

2009
Sara in the Glenn Swank stump, PA

Sara at the International Chestnut Symposium, 2012

2012
Sara at the International Chestnut Symposium

Sara in Vermont

2014
Sara with Harmony Dalgleish and the Berlin American chestnut in Vermont

Kendra and Sara in the field

Sara and Kendra Collins working in the field

Sara presenting at the 2022 TACF Spring Meeting

2022
Sara presenting at TACF’s Spring Meeting

Sara (in the rocker) with TACF staff at the Fall Meeting

2023
Sara (in the rocker) with TACF staff at the Fall Meeting

Sara Fern Fitzsimmons

2024
Sara in the Penn State greenhouses