“He taught me a lot on how invision what I want and to open my eyes, not just in art, but in life.” said Kelly Gabrinetti, former student, after talking about the last day he seen Mark Dungan in class.

Dungan was a photography teacher at Pierce College. On his way home from class, on March 5, 2015, he lost his life in an accident while riding his motorcycle. According to his obituary on The News Tribune’s website, Dungan relocated to Washington State, where he graduated in 1976 from Auburn High School while serving in the Coast Guard. He then went on to attend Washington State University, and later Utah State University, where he earned his master’s degree.

Pierce College opened up an art exhibit in Dungan’s name to showcase his work over the years. Most of the work was taken while he was riding his motorcycle across country.

Douglas Wells, a long time friend, flew in from Las Vegas, NV to be here for the art opening. Wells and Dungan were classmates in a photography school in Maine. “He was a rough guy, but he was not what you expected.” said Wells.  “Mark was kind of, for some people, hard for you to get past the tough outer skin. He was a really sensitive artistic guy. He really cared about his student and was excited for this term (at Pierce). He thought art was a metaphor for life.”

“During our college years, Mark went out on a hiking trip with a classmate. She fell and broke her ankle and she called out for Mark. ‘Mark, I broke my ankle please help.’ He was like walk it off, it’s not broken. She said ‘No it really is.’ In a testament to his character, Mark picked her up and carried her for nearly a mile to the car and drove her to the hospital. She was clearly upset she broke her ankle, but was more upset she was going to miss her date that night. Mark said he would bring her to the date and as an alibi he would tell her date all that transpired that day. If that doesn’t tell you what kind of guy he is, I don’t know what would.” Wells said about Dugan.

During the event, his father, Jim Dungan, stepped up, assisted by a walker,  and talked to the students and faculty about his son. “I would like everyone to close their eyes and think of sunsets, sunrises, flowers, and birds” his father asked.  “Do this because Mark donated his eyes, and because of his donations, I was informed that two people are now able to see.”

James Devore, along with other previous students, were on Dungan’s Facebook page commenting about what Dungan would always say not to take photos of. “He would tell us all not to take photos of flowers and babies, he would have an entire list.” said Devore. “It was hilarious. He was just obnoxious (in a good way) and that is how I would always remember him.”

Dungan leaves behind a legacy in his art and is survived by his father, sister Judy Dafoe, brother Mike, 2 nieces, 4 grand nieces/nephews, and his dog, Fang, who he would sometimes bring to class. Dungan will be truly missed around the Pierce campus and in life. RIP.