Michael  Udo March achieved, experienced, and enjoyed in life with all of  us, a reality that can never be forgotten after death. Let us come together now as we remember the life of a man whose heart touched us all.

Michael was born in Lackau, Germany on September 13th, 1950 to Dr. Vera Helga March and William Bruno March. Even though his youth was overshadowed by the burden of the Cold War, he nonetheless had a pleasant childhood and determined mother that provided for him and his brother in a time of fear and unknown that would later impart him with the basis for his solid work ethic and humble heart. 

In 1956, the family came to the United States via military ship under the provisions of the Refugee Relief Act where his mother, a graduate engineer put her education to work in an attempt to carve out a new life for herself and her two sons.  Michael would later become a United States citizen on August 11, 1961.

Michael was childhood friends with Jay North (Dennis the Mennace) and would himself briefly try his hand at a Hollywood career.  He studied Architecture and Space/Laser Technology at University of Southern California; Business Management at El Comino College and Information Systems Management at Los Angeles Harbor College. In August 1969 he accepted a job he thought would he would be bored with within 6 months... That ‘boring’ job became the very esteemed and prestigious career which would define much of his life.  Through his hard work and dedication at Huck, later Alcoa, Michael truly shined, and it was there that he came to know and love many of you, and where many of us learned to know and love him in return.  He came to love his work and his colleagues that, as a perfectionist, would never compromise. A legend in the industry not just for his knowledge but for the relationships he built with the people on the shop floor, customers, and suppliers.  Even in his last months, anxious to go back to work, he said, “I made promises and I always keep my promises.” 

We his children, his friends, his family, don't need to be reminded of dad’s thoughts for us; we are who we are because of him.  And so a part of us has also died with him, and a part of us will be scattered with his ashes.   What greater purpose in life is there, however, than to know that his life will live on through those that he has loved so dearly?  What greater peace is there than to know than one's eternity will support, accompany and work through the life of another?  What greater gift is there than the comfort that our lives are better because he worked so hard to help us?  So dad leaves with the knowledge that he will forever be in our hearts. 

Though he has left us physically, it is our duty now to remember his example. 

We remember how he never let another man down.  He fulfilled every obligation he ever undertook.  His word was his bond, and everyone knew it.  I never heard him utter a lie, nor intentionally deceive. 

We remember how he was self-made and self-reliant.  From his education to his career, from his skill with every kind of tool that could fashion wood or metal, brick or cement, my Dad engaged with the world as a man who would be its master.  Go outside in the backyard and you’ll find those millimeter sized pieces of brick on the patio, perfectly laid as he designed it.  

We remember how my dad never made an enemy.  Not one.  We remember how happy he was whenever he saw someone and would take the time to see how they were doing no matter how busy he was at the time.

We remember my dad relishing the good things in life including music, travel, photography, family and friends.  The number of people who called my Dad friend was legion. 

We remember how he loved his work, but it wasn’t just the work, or self promotion or success that mattered to him, it was the knowledge of knowing what he did impacted so many other people that made him get up and work so hard every day. 

We remember his excitement over nuts and bolts – excitement like no other.  He didn’t see nuts and bolts like most of us; he saw these tiny yet incredible sophisticated pieces of hardware that were the most important things because they are what keep everything together.   

We remember we were the first house to have a dedicated phone line for access to the internet and we could shop online.  All thanks to our dad wanting to be on the cutting edge of new technology.

We remember his patience, never giving up no matter how many times he had to go over something; he kept at it until we understood.

We remember his loyalty.  His faithfulness to the important people in his life could be seen in the way he steadfastly maintained ties with his childhood friends. 

We remember our conversations with him.  We remember his gestures of kindness.  And we remember his life.

He was survived by his wife Luz Marina March and his six children: Michael Mario March; Shawn Christopher Eugene Collins; Kristin Marie Vera March; Juan Esteban Palacio Correa Escobar, Kevin Bedoya Correa and Sebastian Bedoya Correa.

I am thankful that my father had the strength to guide me, through example, to an independent life.  And even though I have long ago outgrown the childlike love, I know that no one will ever love me as my father did, without question, recrimination, and simply because I was there; his child.  And this breaks my heart every day.  There’s a place in my heart that will always be void.

My dad gave me a parting gift.  He waited for me before he passed, to be sure I would be there to comfort his beloved wife when this time came.  The last words I was blessed to be able to share with him as I caressed his brow the morning before he died were the same words we said to each other every day for the past six months when we finished our daily phone call or visit.  I love you. 

Goodbye dad.  You did good.  You did real good.

In closing, I would like to share a poem with you that I wrote for dad back in 1999.
 

We are gathered here tonight to retire

A man whom we greatly admire.

It is rather clear,

I am speaking of an engineer

To Mike, An engineering fool

Whose imagination was as bright as a jewel.

The analytical engineering mind

produced ideas and inventions that benefit others of his kind

A man who can manipulate the bits and bytes

of the computer to everyone's delight.

His dedication to excellence spawned perfection

Beyond everyone's critical inspection.

Trough detail and thoroughness of his engineer-ing

He can make his inventions and ideas sing 

The accuracy of his ideas were such a delight

Even Einstein would of thought they were right.

To him nothing was left to chance,

Including elaborate dinners and dance.

Through contributions and vision, success in business was won

Which earned him the admiration of everyone.

His leadership abilities and compassion for another

earned him the respect of all the other.

Even the average old Larry

gave him the admiration and support to achieve the extra-ordinary.

His relationship with staff was fine

Enabling him to always have a good time.

Through his 46 years of service from draftsman to management staff

he never put himself above others even to get a good laugh

 So a final farewell, to Mike, our most valuable team member

Who will leave a legacy to remember.