Mike was my running buddy, tennis partner, and best friend for decades.
Because Mike and I spent so much time together, especially in the solitude of "the road", I was privliged to know him in depth.  We ran on the summer beaches, through snow covered meadows, in the leaf littered woods of autumn, and even through swampy paths in spring.  We shared plans and unexpected consequences of personal experiences, business ventures, social occasions, sporting events, spiritual insights, and most of all, family milestones.  A rare true friendship was enjoyed in every season, over long years, and in good and difficult times.
What I learned was Mike's rock solid character, his love of family, his unwaivering faith, his unquenchable sense of humor, his true sportsmanship, his constantly engaged intelligence, the warmth of his personality, and his boundless generousity. 
Mike stored up, on a daily basis, such treasures in heaven, there is no doubt in my mind that he will be in the "Hall of Fame" located just inside the pearly gates.  Mike was the rock solid measure of a good life, well lived.