I typically don't go into much detail online about my personal life, but this really hit home today. I took a drive to visit my mom today.

My background was in drafting and engineering, and before I even started working for Hansen I did a project that was healing and cathartic.

My mom passed away when I was 25. Way too soon, but that's the had that was dealt. In dealing with her passing, I wound up having some issues getting her headstone made. What I did was to take this on as a passion project. I came up with a design that I knew she would love, but wasn't sure how to go about making it.

I learned the pattern making process for foundry and wound up making the design, using actual shells and some clay. I was able to cast it in a resin that is used in the foundry process. Along the way I met people that were willing to work with me and show me how things need to be done. I also met the owner of a small foundry that was very helpful and cast it for me.

I also chose a marble that was cut and polished and drew up the fabrication details so we could mount the plaque.

Little did I know that the people I met and worked with would later be associated with 914Rubber. Way before I even thought about making 914 parts, I was learning the skills and meeting the people that would help us make what we have today.

It hadn't dawned on me until I was up there today cleaning it off.


I'd trade it all in second for more time with her, but it made me what / who we are today....so thanks Mom.

What a wonderful story and perfect for the day as we all remember mothers who have passed on. Thank you for sharing!

A great story, thank you for all you do for our community.

What a beautiful headstone. Also a beautiful first name. Way too young.

Glad I read this today, hits home!

My mom passed four years ago, this was the first year I could bring myself to actively participate in her legacy project, made this Mother's Day more special.

Love to all the moms out there and beyond

Very inspiring to say the least!

Been lucky enough to have had a few people in my life who helped bring me up.

Gone too soon, but always cherished the time I did have with them.

beautiful design.

suggests watery dissolution. both the stone and the casting. a lovely idea executed with great skill.

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explains your work to this day?
thinking and making in the negative to result in a positive object.


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a few years ago i had to design a headstone for a mentor of mine.,
was about the hardest thing i have ever had to do.
it would only have been about 1/10 the mental difficulty of you designing and making a piece for your mother. i can appreciate what you did.

I just spent my first Mother’s Day without my mom she passed away 11/12/22 at 94 she was 91 when I took her for a ride down PCH. It was a tuff Mother’s Day to get through.

Thank you for sharing you story.

Thanks for the awesome story and thanks for everything you make for 914s

What a wonderful story Mark

Thanks for sharing

See you at WCR in a few weeks

O