Mark H. Hubbell

After Paly I moved to Missoula, Montana to begin studies at the University of Montana. I had wanted to study forestry at Humboldt State, but there was a waiting list to get into Humboldt, so I opted for another outstanding forestry School at the University of Montana. Humboldt eventually did send me an acceptance letter in November of 1970 -- two months after I'd started in Missoula. I decided to stay put. I fell deeply in love with Montana and was more than content to stay there.

I married Deborah Butterwick (from Sioux Falls, South Dakota) in 1974. She was a friend of a girl I was infatuated with -- but who had no interest in me. Over time, Deb and I grew close and started dating. Two years later we were engaged.

I worked several years for the U.S. Forest Service doing many jobs, including recreation management, fire fighting, wildlife studies and timber cruising. It was great work, but the job market was not very good so much of my work was seasonal.

In 1978 I returned to the University of Montana Graduate School to study land use planning.

From 1979 through 1986 I worked in the Missoula City/County Planning Office. Most of that time I was engaged in processing development proposals, which were often contentious. I learned a lot about local politics and problem solving during those years. Yet over time, I grew weary of subdivision and zoning disputes and wanted to invest my life in something that would have a more significant impact.

I began volunteering with an organization called Prison Fellowship (founded by former Nixon counsel Charles Colson) in 1977. It was very gratifying work and I continued volunteering until I was invited to come on staff in 1986. I served as the area director in several states: Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Alaska, and Utah, and Del Norte County, California.

After 37 wonderful years of service, I retired from Prison Fellowship on June 19, 2023.

Deb and I are in excellent health and after enjoying life, and look forward to our next chapter of life together! Next month our daughter Amy will be having her first baby, so an entire new chapter is about to open in our lives!

I must say that my life has been exciting and fulfilling! God has blessed us so abundantly...

I have wonderful memories of being on the wrestling team (133 pound weight class) and on the diving team. The coaches were superb, (especially Wes Fisher, Ed Hart, and Paul Bataille) and the things I learned from them shaped my life.

I enjoyed all of my teachers at Paly! I was particularly impressed by Mr. Thornton, Margaret Flanders, Barry Bergstrom, and Mrs. Walsh.

My years at Paly were so wonderful. I have so many memories of conversations in the amphitheater, shuffling through the halls, and hanging out with friends. You were a part of that! Thank you all for contributing to those memories!

Other: Hollenbeck Elementary School in Sunnyvale (forestry major)

Jordan

I graduated from the University of Montana in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Resource Conservation degree.

I nearly completed work on a Masters Degree in Land Use Planning from the University of Montana but stopped short of that degree (12 credits to go) in order to join the staff of Prison Fellowship.