Mark Philip Kestner, Esquire, a devoted family man, respected attorney, and lifelong learner, passed away surrounded by his family on April 16, 2026, at the age of 71.

Born November 25, 1954, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he was the son of the late Philip William Kestner and Prudence Bowman Kestner. Mark had the unique opportunity to attend Aiglon College in Switzerland before graduating from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland in 1972. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, Davis, where he was inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He returned to the Washington, D.C. area to pursue his legal education, earning his Juris Doctor from The George Washington University in 1979.

Mark built a long and respected legal career focused on transactional real estate. Practicing in the Washington, D.C. and Maryland areas, he served as an attorney with Reichelt, Nussbaum and Brown; as General Counsel at Universal Title; and as a partner at Ridgway, Griffin, Kestner, Smyth, Stanton and Nalls, Chartered. He concluded his career as a sole practitioner in Frederick, Maryland. He is remembered as a patient and knowledgeable attorney who provided thoughtful counsel, mentored younger colleagues, and treated clients with genuine compassion and respect.

Growing up, Mark had the opportunity to travel widely, spending formative years in Okinawa, Japan; Switzerland; Nigeria; and England. He remained a lifelong learner and voracious reader, particularly of westerns and historical fiction. He loved fishing and baseball and was a devoted fan of the Baltimore Orioles.

Mark is remembered as a warm, supportive, and deeply devoted family man. As a child, he was a protective older brother, fiercely loyal to his family and friends—qualities that remained constant throughout his life. As a father, he encouraged his children to pursue their passions, supporting his daughter Caroline in her academic goals and proudly serving as his son Sam’s baseball coach in his youth, later taking great joy in watching him play over the years.

He found endless happiness in time spent with his grandchildren, Quinn and Van, delighting in playing with them and creating lasting memories. Mark would do anything for his family, consistently putting their needs before his own and offering unwavering love and support.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Andrew, and his parents, Philip William and Prudence Bowman Kestner.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Elaine of New Market, Maryland; his daughter, Caroline Virginia and children, Quinn Isabel and Van Joshua of New Market, Maryland; his son, Samuel Mark of Frederick, Maryland; his brother, David Kestner and his wife, Mary of Wilmington, North Carolina; and his sister, AnneMarie Kestner Smith of Frederick, Maryland. He also leaves behind his lifelong friend, Joseph G. Laudani of Gaithersburg, Maryland, along with many loving extended family members and friends.

Mark’s kindness, intellect, and infectious laugh will be remembered by all who knew him. His love and spirit will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. The family is sustained by cherished memories of vacations at Smith Mountain Lake, time spent at his beach house in Myrtle Beach, and many joyful holidays and celebrations together.

The family will receive friends at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, Maryland, on Sunday, April 24, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with a funeral service beginning at 3:00 p.m. A reception and additional visitation will follow from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family