By Chloe Ogier
The Scene staff
Mark Beyer is anything but shy.
The Forest Park student regularly walks up to strangers and starts conversations, offering a fist bump, compliment or just a friendly “Hello.”
“My ultimate goal is to help make this world a better place,” he said.
Beyer, 49, is a general studies student who enrolled at St. Louis Community College last semester to “gain wisdom and understanding.”
Many people know him as the guy who skateboards around campus, performing tricks on the quad and sneaking a ride in the cafeteria now and then.
The grip tape on his well-worn skateboard is painted with symbols. When he’s in class, he leans it against walls outside classroom doors.
Beyer hasn’t yet picked a major.
“I want to be financially stable, self-sufficient and successful,” he said.
Beyer started skateboarding when he was 10 after being inspired by Marty McFly in “Back to the Future,” a 1985 hit movie starring Michael J. Fox.
Beyer estimates that he has owned more than a hundred skateboards since that time.
“I can’t even count how many I’ve gone through in my life,” he said.
Beyer worked as a union carpenter for 15 years, building homes and apartments.
“I can build any house,” he said. “Give me blueprints, and I’ve got it.”
Beyond work and school, Beyer is a grandfather of three. He loves to dance, and he recently demonstrated his moves at the Forest Park Club Expo.
Beyer considers himself spiritual, but he doesn’t like the idea of denominations or other labels.
“I’m a soldier for God,” he said.