Mark Koglmeier
Hometown: Minneapolis – where the snow falls, skiers fall, and mosquitoes bite. To “control” the mosquito problem, the city trucks drove down the middle of the road spraying thousands of gallons of insecticide into the air. No wonder my mind is what it is.
Spouse: The incomparably beautiful Lori Koglmeier
Offspring: I’ve not usually thought of them as “offspring”, but Scott, Jody, Kevin & Allison are my children.
Loyalties (sports team): I enjoy sports a lot. I guess I have to say the Cardinals because I could not, even upon threat of torture or death, choose any of the highly over-rated New York teams. But I like the Packers and Suns and Dodgers, and I guess I have to say the D’Backs.
Education: Still in process. But I graduated from McClintock in Tempe in 1971. I attended MCC and then ASU for a couple years. I have taken classes with Trinity Bible College and Phoenix Seminary.
On my nightstand: I don’t get a nightstand. Lori gets the nightstand. What is up with that?
Influences: I will intentionally not say “Jesus” – that is a given. My wife and my children – of course. The late Jess Kellerman. My friends, Doug Loy, Ken Berg, Gavin Woods, Jeff Lavell, Bruce Lundquist, and Jim Perry, yes even John Salvatore and Nathan Lutz. There are so many others. My Neighborhood Group: the Balls, Bergs and Blakes, Millers, Leonards, Loys and David Perry. Books have influenced me greatly. I love books. I like the dead guys the best; the Puritan and Reformed writers have had a profound influence on me throughout the years. The “Johns”; John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, John Bunyan. Then other Johns, John of the Cross, John Piper and John Stott, among others. Then, of course, the incomparable preacher, Spurgeon. Then there is William Law and his book, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life – wow! That one is serious! He taught me about devotion. Then there are Andrew Murray, Thomas A Kempis, Augustine, Spurgeon, all dead guys. Theresa of Avilla and Brother Lawrence taught me what it should be like to meditate on God. Dead. Gary Thomas and JI Packer – not dead. I could go on, but books have helped shape who I am.
On my DVR: I don’t have a DVR. But if I did I would record Monk, 24, Lost, and two epic classics rivaling Gone With the Wind, What About Bob and Major Payne – both are a must in all DVD libraries.
Favorite Ice Cream: Dryers Mint Chocolate Chip – None of the non-fat sissy stuff.
Favorite Restaurant: Any one that serves great, fresh seafood.
Favorite Book (other than the bible): This is tough. Jonathan Edward’s Religious Affections and John Piper’s The Pleasures of God. Altogether there are 41 that tie for 1st.
Favorite Sports: Football
Favorite Band/ Music Genre: This is like books. I enjoy lots of different kinds of music from hymns to Christian contemporary, the right kind of Rap to oldies. I don’t think I am able to say I have one favorite.
What I always wanted to be when I grow up: believe it or not, a lawyer. But I repented.
Don’t ask me to…: trim tall Palm trees, hang off of buildings or skydive.
Other hobbies: camping and fishing, playing the guitar, playing cards, and dabbling in the stock market.