Mark Peter Krasselt, graphic artist and chef

Mark Peter Krasselt, a graphic designer who supported the arts and was an accomplished cook, died Aug. 20 at his Towson home of heart failure related to hypertension . He was 57.

Born Peter Hoffmann in Germany, he was adopted as an infant by Major Arthur C. Krasselt and his wife, Ruth Ann Freudenberger. He lived with his family in Germany and Japan before moving to the United States.

He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Bridgeport and specialized in film, photography and graphic design.

"He remained an avid film aficionado throughout his entire life," said a friend, Savitri Gauthier, also of Towson.

Mr. Krasselt settled in the Lakeview section of New Orleans and worked in printing and graphic arts. For many years he was a designer at Pel Hughes, a print and direct mail firm. While living in New Orleans he joined the Masons and was active in Masonic events.

"Mark was the definition of a Renaissance man.He was a writer, he was a chef and rode Harley-Davidsons. He was a fascinating guy," said a friend, William Seale of New Orleans. "He cooked New Orleans food better than some of the famous chefs here in town. He could have had his own cooking show. He was a great conversationalist and had the personality to go with it."

He and his mother were forced to leave New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, when their homes were destroyed. They settled in Baltimore and Mr. Krasselt initially worked for a Georgetown graphics business. He then joined Renegade and Harvey and Daughters, where he handled a Procter & Gamble account. He also held posts at Black & Decker, Coventry Life Care and Aetna Life Insurance.

While living in Towson, he promoted New Orleans traditions among his friends and ordered a king cake for Mardi Gras from the Randazzo bakery in Louisiana.

"He had a lot of different passions and he tried to put down roots in Baltimore," said Lisa Troia Martin, owner of Cafe Troia in Towson, where he regularly dined. "He made friends with different groups of people based on their interests. He loved to cook and his favorite cuisine was New Orleans style food. His signature dish was gumbo."

She said he often enjoyed calamari Vesuvio and pappardelle Bolognese.

Mr. Krasselt was a Lyric Opera House volunteer. He had been a Metropolitan Opera House supernumerary and appeared in costume on its stage in New York. He arranged groups of friends to accompany him to televised Metropolitan Opera Performances in Towson. He was also a subscriber to the Shriver Hall Concert Series.

Mr. Krasselt was a board member of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, where he organized fundraising events.

He also rode Harley-Davidson motorcycles on lengthy road trips and followed Formula One racing and the Tour de France.

In 2003 he wrote a lengthy manuscript about director Stanley Kubrick, "Lessons of a Sentient." He also wrote a screenplay about the Shroud of Turin and co-authored a screenplay about Florence Nightingale.

A memorial gathering will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at Cafe Troia, 31 Allegheny Ave. in Towson.

Survivors include a sister, Janice Krasselt Medin of Boston. His marriage to Colleen Monaghan ended in divorce.

jacques.kelly@baltsun.com