During his lifetime, people from all walks of life seemed to gravitate to Mike.

Was it that sparkle in his eye?

Was it his smile?

Was it the eye contact he made with others that made them feel special?

Whatever it was about Mike that attracted so many friends in his life, it is all these things that made him different. Made him special. Made him likable. Made him memorable. To the thousands he touched during his lifetime.

We friends and relatives all walked in and out of his life at different times. But we never walked away from our connection to him.

Some knew Mike during his Washougal years when he took a very special boys high school basketball team all the way to 4th in State, a first for Washougal High School.

Some knew the blond-haired 21-year-old at Sunnyside, a town where blond-haired boys stood out. Mike used to smile as he told the story how he could see girls peaking through his classroom window to get a glimpse of the new cute teacher.

Others from Mike’s childhood church, grade school, high school and college held such a strong bond, they stayed connected to him throughout and after his life- even if just by thought.

For those who got to be a sibling or daughter of Mike’s, you already know how unconditional his love was for you. Actually, he was so loyal to his blood relatives, he made it conditional that his love would always be unconditional.

Mike connected to so many, whether it was through kind words, a smile, a listening ear, honest compliment, or heartfelt advice.