Mark Edward Risso

Mark Edward Risso of Paradise, California, passed away on September 23, 2017. He was 81 years old. Mark was born in San Mateo, California, on August 1, 1936 to Roland and Bernice Risso. He was raised primarily in San Carlos, California with his brother, Jay. Graduating  from Sequoia High School in 1954. Mark remained an active member of the Sequoia High School Alumni Association. After graduation, Mark first attended University of Colorado, Boulder, but left there after two years to proudly serve in the Army from 1959 - 1962. Stationed in Korea after the Korean conflict, he was a clerk typist and achieved the rank of Sergeant E5.

After discharge, Mark returned to school at San Jose City College and began his study of Civil Engineering. He was employed by the City of Sunnyvale as an assistant engineer.  During this time he met his future wife, Susan Kay. Together they had two daughters, Gina and Ann. 

In 1969, Mark was offered the opportunity at the City of Chico as an assistant engineer. He moved his young family to Chico, bought a 17 acre almond orchard, began his job at the City, built a house and went back to school at CSU, Chico.  In 1976 he graduated as a Civil Engineer. After graduation he continued at the City of Chico until he moved to a private firm in 1980. Shortly thereafter, Mark opened his own engineering firm, A & Q Engineering in Chico, where he worked until his partial retirement in the mid 1990s. He relocated to Magalia, and finally to Paradise where he operated his consulting firm, MER Consulting. Even after the doors closed, Mark was sought after for his expertise as a civil engineer and extensive knowledge of Butte County, and continued consulting until his full retirement in 2014.  

Mark was an active member of his community. Notably, he volunteered in both daughters’ 4-H  and YMCA groups. He also co-founded North Valley Gymnastics Center. For the past 23 years, Mark was an active and proud member of AA, and offered support to many. 

An avid 49er and Giants fan, Mark stayed loyal to the Bay area teams he grew up rooting for. Having a love for the written and spoken word, Mark had a quick wit and was never without a story to share. He also was a great lover of the outdoors, camping with his family as they grew up and passing on a love of nature to his two daughters. Generous, kind, loving, and beloved by all, he will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Mark is survived by his two daughters, Gina Risso (Ken Vogt), Ann Willis (Tim), brother Jay Risso (Judee), his grandchildren, Nicole, Canyon, Kaia, Eva, Maeyana and Kenjo, two great grandchildren, Cora and Tessa and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 12, 2017, at The Plantation Clubhouse, 208 Berry Creek Drive, Paradise, California, from 1pm - 3pm.

 Service Information