May 22, 2019
by Jamie Colee
happy birthday Michael.
I'll always love you Michael
October 25, 2018
by Jamie Colee
There are no words to describe the empty feeling inside of me. I'd do anything to have you back. I don't think I will ever be whole again.
October 17, 2018
I have always been impressed with my brother and always looked up to him. He had so many great qualities it would be impossible to list them all. He was so considerate, patient, fair-minded, humble, intelligent, helpful, selfless, endearing, kind, thoughtful, and so much more. He was a great listener, and always had great advice and insight. I always respected his critical thinking skills, and loved how he used them to tackle challenges, problems and obstacles. He always made me feel his equal when clearly I was not, and I loved him for it. I am thankful for the great memories I have of my time with him, esp the vacations, the camping, and even just sitting with him as he did homework on the kitchen table. I am grateful for what he taught me and for the great example he was to me, I will always look up to him! I will always miss him.
October 11, 2018
I lived in the small town of Newton, Utah, where Mike lived during my high school years. We became good friends along with a small close knit group of others and we spent a lot of time hunting, camping, skiing, and working together. I noticed Mike always had a calm, quiet, coolness about him that I admired.
During our 1980 senior year, Mike went to see the guidance counselor for career advise. After their meeting, I asked him what the future held. I'll never forget what he said... "Computers, in the future, everyone will have their own computer. They will get their information on them, pay their bills, turn on their lights at home, basically, run their lives on them." I thought he was crazy.
We didn't stay in close contact through the years, but I've always considered him my good friend. I am very saddened by his sudden departure from this life, however, take comfort in knowing that I will see him again. It was an honor to have known him so far. I extend my most sincere condolences to his family.
Richard Logsdon
Best plane partner ever
October 11, 2018
I met Mike though his friend John when Mike wanted to add to his many skills and become a pilot. I was looking for a partner in my Lilly, the perfect learning plane, a Cessna 172 and as we both spoke engineering nerd well (he better), we clicked and were developing a friendship I knew I was going to treasure. I in no way want to take from his title of Angel among Men, but there was more to him than that as the testament of his lifelong friends attests. I'm confident that I'll never miss a future friendship as much as we miss Mike.
October 7, 2018
Mike was born in Phoenix, Arizona on May 22, 1962. . He was such aneasy child to raise. He was always good natured and required littlediscipline. His sister came along 16 months later and like mostsiblings, they had their share of squabbles. It was usually somethingimportant like, "MOM, she hid the Captain Crunch"? or, "MOM, make herget out of the bathroom"! Much screaming and ranting, but he was the first to rush to her defense if he thought anyone else wanted to hurt her.
Mike was always very athletic and worked hard to do well. He played Pop
Warner Football, LIttle League Baseball, raced Motocross bicycles
through mud tracks and participated in school sports and activities.
He and his sister raised snakes which was a real trauma and education
for his mother! He began to lose his interest in sports when he
discovered electronics!. It was not unusual to find broken radios, old
TV's, clocks, vacuums, etc., in pieces on our back patio. He loved to
see how things worked.and always had help from the neighbor kids. We
bought him a metal detector for Christmas and he had it disassembled
before it ever saw outside! His first computer was a Commodore
(remember those), and he had it mastered in short order.
Mike worked hard in high school and often his classes did not come
easily for him. He especially hated math and thought it was a complete
waste of time since he would NEVER use it. He was very close to his
Dad, Randy, and gained an incredibly strong work ethic. He learned all
the basic skills of "guy stuff", welding, plumbing, electrical and
construction from Randy. As his mother, I can claim no credit for
those abilities.
After we moved to northern Utah, Mike graduated from Sky View High
School in Smithfield, Utah. He worked for a year in a feed mill and
decided that was more than enough reason to go to college and get an
education. He graduated from Utah Valley Tech with a scholarship to
BYU as one of a few non-Mormon students to take advantage of a degree
in Electronic Technology. He later got his MS degree from the
University of Utah in Electrical Administration then immediately interviewed and was hired at Microsoft. He moved to Seattle.
We always tried to instill in our children, the importance of honesty,
kindness, forgiveness, and respect for others. We are proud to say they all possess those attributes. Mike must have gotten a double dose, because even though we are his parents, we can honestly say Mike was still one of the kindest, most honorable people we know. He always made good friends wherever he was and maintained those friendships until the time of his death.
We are thankful for Carol, Kevin and Kelly. They gave him the family
that made his life complete. He was happy, he was healthy and he loved
his family and friends. He loved his outdoor activities and loved
being near the ocean.
We had him for 56 years and 6 months. We will always miss him and we
will always love him. We love you so much, Mike.
Dad, Mom, Jamie and Bracken
Warner Football, LIttle League Baseball, raced Motocross bicycles
through mud tracks and participated in school sports and activities.
He and his sister raised snakes which was a real trauma and education
for his mother! He began to lose his interest in sports when he
discovered electronics!. It was not unusual to find broken radios, old
TV's, clocks, vacuums, etc., in pieces on our back patio. He loved to
see how things worked.and always had help from the neighbor kids. We
bought him a metal detector for Christmas and he had it disassembled
before it ever saw outside! His first computer was a Commodore
(remember those), and he had it mastered in short order.
Mike worked hard in high school and often his classes did not come
easily for him. He especially hated math and thought it was a complete
waste of time since he would NEVER use it. He was very close to his
Dad, Randy, and gained an incredibly strong work ethic. He learned all
the basic skills of "guy stuff", welding, plumbing, electrical and
construction from Randy. As his mother, I can claim no credit for
those abilities.
After we moved to northern Utah, Mike graduated from Sky View High
School in Smithfield, Utah. He worked for a year in a feed mill and
decided that was more than enough reason to go to college and get an
education. He graduated from Utah Valley Tech with a scholarship to
BYU as one of a few non-Mormon students to take advantage of a degree
in Electronic Technology. He later got his MS degree from the
University of Utah in Electrical Administration then immediately interviewed and was hired at Microsoft. He moved to Seattle.
We always tried to instill in our children, the importance of honesty,
kindness, forgiveness, and respect for others. We are proud to say they all possess those attributes. Mike must have gotten a double dose, because even though we are his parents, we can honestly say Mike was still one of the kindest, most honorable people we know. He always made good friends wherever he was and maintained those friendships until the time of his death.
We are thankful for Carol, Kevin and Kelly. They gave him the family
that made his life complete. He was happy, he was healthy and he loved
his family and friends. He loved his outdoor activities and loved
being near the ocean.
We had him for 56 years and 6 months. We will always miss him and we
will always love him. We love you so much, Mike.
Dad, Mom, Jamie and Bracken
Long bike rides are a Snap(ple)
October 6, 2018
by Kylie Berger
You will be missed Mike. One fond memory that comes to mind is when you put us up for a few days when Nikki was considering schools in Seattle. You introduced me to Snapple and taught me that “just a quick bike ride around the lake“ was something to the tune of 81 miles. Such a gracious host. Generous. Compassionate. Thoughtful. Calmly energetic.
Cody Berger
Thanks for being so kind!
October 6, 2018
by Jan Givens
Mike was one of the kindest men I have ever met. He was so loving and inclusive and welcoming to everyone he met. He was patient and loving and a great father and friend. Mike will be remembered and loved through those he knew and helped. Thanks for sharing your kindness with us all.
Jan Givens
Missing you Mike
October 6, 2018
by Jan Givens
Mike, one of the nicest things that happened in my life was when you joined the Berger family and called me grandma. You were so kind, thoughtful, considerate and pleasant to be around. I have many loving memories of you and will miss you but will treasure those memories.
Barbara Berger