Retired long-line tuna captain for Tyson Foods passed away in Burlingame, CA on Saturday, September 12, 2015, after a long illness.

He was born in San Francisco on June 12, 2015 to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Leroy Kircher. His biological father was a long-time SF Firefighter and Chief’s Operator for the San Francisco Fire Department. Michael Kircher was reared primarily with his paternal grandparents and was later adopted by an East Coast based construction executive.

He was educated at the elite Stockbridge, MA, Stockbridge Preparatory School (now closed) and graduated from Mt. Tamalpais High School in Marin County. He later completed one year at Mendocino Community College.  Due to his grandfather’s involvement with the Longshoreman’s Union, Michael followed his late grandfather and his childhood guardian into professional work in the construction trades and later commercial fishing in Ft. Bragg, CA, San Francisco, CA, Santa Cruz, CA, Honolulu and Maui, HI.

In 1992, after sustaining severe injuries while on his commercial fishing vessel in the Pacific Ocean during Hurricane Iniki, Michael returned to the greater SF Bay Area where he completed substantial medical rehabilitation that allowed him to learn to walk and talk again. He also became a professional dog walker in the North Beach / Russian Hill area until his illness began to impact his fitness.  Throughout the 2000s, he volunteered at several UCSF-affiliated clinics for persons with liver disease and served as a mentor or sponsor to many young men in recovery.

His favorite avocation was writing short stories and poetry. The author of two poetry books and one short story about a school of fish, Michael Kircher was considered one of the bright lights of San Francisco’s North Beach. He was also a frequent participant in the Sunday evening church services at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow District where his public Memorial service will be held in December 2015.

Michael inherited his biological grandfather and father’s love of fishing, and never met a fish he did not like or respect.  His cremated remains will be scattered in the SF Bay. 

He is survived by his daughter Nicole Kircher of Orlando, FL; three grandchildren: Mia of Tallahassee, FL, Camden and Tylor of Orlando, FL; two SF fire-fighter half-brothers, Glenn Kircher and James Kircher; a sister Lynne; two half brothers Frankie and Gary Kircher.  And, more friends and dog companions than he could count.

Family & friends requested that donations in his honor be made to the California Pacific Medical Care Foundation, and reference “Milo’s Champions’ Fund for Liver Disease,” in thanks to the work of Dr. Adil “Ed” Wakil and Dr. Stewart Cooper.  Please send c/o Mr. David Madson, Director of Development, Neuroscience & Transplantation, 2015 Steiner Street, San Francisco, CA 94115.