Roll Call Tribute

Mark David Roosma
March 13, 1966 - June 24, 2022

~ FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS ~

Lt. Colonel Mark David Roosma, US Air Force (Ret.) passed away peacefully on June 24, 2022, at his home in Falls Church, VA, following a two-year courageous battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife, Meaghan Roosma and sons Tyler and Matthew.

Mark was born on March 13, 1966, to Colonel John S. Roosma, Jr. and Diane Roosma, at the US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO. The youngest of three sons in an Air Force family, Mark had the privilege of living on many bases around the world.

After graduating from Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School in Falls Church, VA in 1984, Mark continued his education earning a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University in 1988 and was a proud member of Squadron 2 of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.

He continued his education throughout his career by earning an MBA from Regis University in Denver, CO. Upon graduation, Mark was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and spent 22 years in the United States Air Force as a Space Operations Officer. After graduating from Undergraduate Missile Training, he reported to Cheyenne, Wyoming for his first missile assignment. The following years included assignments at the 2nd Space Warning Squadron in Denver, CO, HQ Air Force Space Command in Colorado Springs, CO, and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. His assignments at the Pentagon included serving on Joint Staff, HQ Air Force, and The National Reconnaissance Office. His military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, as well as many other unit and service awards.

Following his retirement from the Air Force in 2011, Mark continued his career in the Space and Missile field working as a contractor for Spartan Management, LLC. He was a Deputy Program Manager/Senior Systems Engineer assigned to the Blossom Point Tracking Facility, Naval Research Laboratory.

Mark is survived by his loving wife of 29 years Meaghan Roosma, his two sons, Tyler and Matthew, his mother Diane L. Roosma, and his brothers Jason (Cindy) Roosma and Peter Roosma. Additionally, he is survived by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Kristen and Edward Varela, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mark was preceded in death by his father, Col. John S. Roosma, Jr. (USAF Ret.) and in-laws Robert and Mary Ann Affleck.

Mark had an infectious spirit, was kind and caring, was a dedicated servant to his country and a true gentleman. His love of life, laughter, sports, and music has left an indelible mark on his family and friends. We are all the richer for knowing him and loving him.

A funeral mass will be held at Fort Myer Old Chapel and Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, October 24, 2022, at 10:45am. A reception will be held immediately following the burial at Patton Hall Officer’s Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mark’s name to the National Brain Tumor Society, www.braintumor.org.