Mark Kerr was born on 27 June 1954 in Lochee. He was the eldest son of Grant Kerr DFC FRCS and Agnes ‘Nan’ Kerr and was the first of their four children to attend the High School of Dundee, Mark from 1966 until 1972, Hilary (class of 75), Lynne (class of 78) and Paul (class of 80).
A keen hockey player, Mark became 1st X1 Captain. He played while at Aberdeen University, returning to Dundee to play for DHSFP, where he became Club Captain and President. Mark was Dad of ‘Dad’s Army’ team, who played in an annual hockey tournament in Scarborough. He moved north to Inverness and played for Highland HC and subsequently umpired for many years.
After graduating from Aberdeen with an MA, Mark started his career in the Personnel Department (now known as Human Resources) with Tayside Health Board at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. He also worked at Dundee Royal Infirmary, Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital, the Royal Northern Infirmary in Inverness and several other hospitals in the Highlands, finishing his career in Dingwall. He retired at the age of 62 after 42 years service with the NHS, of which he was immensely proud.
Mark was a lifelong suffering but dedicated fan of Dundee Football Club. He even helped to form ‘The Highland Dark Blues Supporter’s Club’ of which he was Chairman and Secretary.
He was very much a family man. He married Catriona in 1981 and together they had a daughter, Rachel, in 1986 and a son, Robert, in 1989. The family moved to Inverness in 1992 when Mark got promotion and they enjoyed all that the Highlands has to offer.
Mark had fond memories of his time at Dundee High and attended several school reunions, reminiscing and rekindling old friendships.
After retiring, Mark and Catriona enjoyed two wonderful trips to New Zealand where their daughter, Rachel, now lives and works.
He continued to keep fit by swimming most days, weekly walks in the highlands, golf – he was a member of Inverness Golf Club – and playing football on a Friday, putting many of the younger ones to shame.
Sadly, Mark passed away on 7 February 2020, aged 65 in the caring arms of the Highland Hospice in Inverness after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in September 2019. He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, daughter-in-law Heather, sisters and brother.
Taken far too soon, he is greatly missed by his family, his many friends and all who knew him.
‘Never Give Up’
