PI Mourns Passing of Mark Smith

PHILADELPHIA—It is with deep regret that North American Publishing Co. (NAPCO), the parent of Printing Impressions magazine, reports the passing of Mark Smith, longtime technology editor for the magazine. Smith, 51, died Monday from complications stemming from a six-month bout with cancer.

Born in Illinois and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mark spent 10 years with American Printer magazine in Chicago, where he became managing editor. He later served as Midwest editor for Micro Publishing News and also managed Web sites for Cygnus Publishing.

He joined Printing Impressions in the fall of 2000 and immersed himself in the technologies of both the printing industry and internal processes. With an acerbic wit and an unflinching eye for detail, Mark's exacting standards enabled NAPCO to build upon its online brand. Boasting a keen eye for news value, Mark sculpted Today On PIWorld into one of NAPCO's most powerful products, blending printing, publishing and technology news into a well-rounded offering that spoke to the needs of today's printing executives.

"Printing Impressions and the printing industry itself suffered a great loss," said Mark Michelson, editor-in-chief. "Despite battling cancer and the effects of chemotherapy treatments, Mark continued to work full-time until the end because he truly loved what he did. He was brilliant when it came to understanding technical topics and how the publishing and printing industries are rapidly evolving. Mark Smith wasn't just a co-worker; he was a great friend who I had the privilege of knowing for the past 27 years. He will be terribly missed."

He is survived by four siblings. Funeral services were incomplete as of Tuesday afternoon.