Obituary

Melanoma victim

Michael, of Danish descent, was born in Spokane WA September 22, 1948. He passed away June 29, 2011, at 63, from a very aggressive melanoma. Mike had been diagnosed three months before. It was his wish that people know suntanning and sun burns contribute to deadly skin cancer, that melanoma is not just on the skin but may invade any part of the body. He would caution people to check their moles frequently, to have biopsied any removed.

Mike is survived by his wife, Nancy Emerson Holl and sons, Eric and Alan, all of Bellingham; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Rita and Ron Mickelson of Spokane, and Sandra and Kirk Wise of Seattle and several nieces and nephews. Also surviving Mike are several aunts and uncles plus numerous cousins and his sisterinlaw and brotherinlaw Dorothy and Robert Higgs of Topeka KS. Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Rhoda, his father Elmer (Tex) who passed away July 17, his grandparents, numerous aunts and uncles, and several cousins.

Mike had been a ham radio operator since age 11. After graduating from high school he joined the Navy, where he served three years as a radio technician including two tours off the coast of Viet Nam. His interest in radio led to electronic work at the Spokane Postal Service during his college years, graduating from Eastern Washington College with with Honors and a BA degree. Following college he worked for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration as a Radio Technician. He then sailed through the Radio Officers Union on various ships to Europe and South America.

His last and longest employment at sea, was with ETC, NY. His work as the Radio Electronics Officer was a shuttle between three ports in Japan and two ports in Indonesia on a liquified natural gas tanker, four months at a time. Mike got off the ship whenever in port, excited to see the country, and meet and talk with the people. He would diligently communicate with members of his family by telex, phone patches through other ham radio operators including his son Eric, who had a license. Often he would be on the dock or town in sweltering heat or frigid temperatures to make direct a phone call home.

Mike missed the sea even knowing that seafaring is a lonely, dangerous job. After his retirement he maintained friendships with many of the men with whom he sailed, some whom he only knew as radio officers on other ships. The bell of one ship {now in a personal museum} rang shortly after his passing 8 times to signal the final end of watch for a member of the crew.

Mike installed multiple antennae at home in trees and on the roof. Each room had a radio, sometimes more than one. He had a radio shack in the loft over the garage. After 52 years he was still excited to talk with hams all over the world.

Mike was a man of many interests. He learned to fly in 1975 and was a certified flight instructor for 12 years for instrument, single, multi-engine, commercial and seaplane training. He was a member of the Chuckanut Flying Club, where he served on the board as maintenance and safety officers. He liked to have students land at local airport cafes and wanted each one to feel comfortable flying over the waters of Puget Sound.

In March 2010 he and a friend made a forced landing on Eliza Island due to engine failure. He maintained control all the way to the beach. He credited their landing safely to training and the higher power. Mike was up in the air the next morning with a student. The two days before he died, Mike flew with students. He told one that he never felt so good.
Mike was an avid cyclist often riding into Fairhaven or northern Skagit County back roads. He rode in 11 Seattle-to-Portland rides, several of those with his son Alan. More long trips with a friend on his motorcycle were planned.

For a short time he was a volunteer fire fighter with the Lake Samish department; being gone to sea for months at a time made it impossible to keep up with the changing federal and state requirements. Later he was a Fire Commissioner, until the department became part of South Whatcom Fire Authority.

Michael loved reading good books, pouring over maps and feeding the birds. He was thrilled that a bird house he built had babies born last year, and two families raise their young in it this year.
In the last few years he was a volunteer at SPARK, formerly Museum of Radio and Electricity. When Mike could no longer fly, his planned to volunteer more hours repairing radios and demonstrating electronic gizmos.

Non-job related travels he treasured were: taking his father on the Alaskan Ferry, and to his father’s grandson’s wedding in England, followed by a trip with his dad to Denmark. He relived often the gift of a week of salmon fishing in Alaska. Mike recently spent a month in New Zealand where his paternal grandparents lived briefly on their way to America. He and Nancy traveled to the desert of southern California where he delighted in the hot springs and water volleyball.

A member of Faith Lutheran Church, Bellingham, Mike participated in council, serving food on the street, Sunday school and chaperoning the youth on many trips. Mike volunteered with the church’s Severe Weather Shelter and had most recently enjoyed the Mens Book Group. In Maritime Ministry, he enjoyed going on ships in port to greet the crew and learn about their homeland and to share his faith.

His home could not be without whole pepper, peanut butter and honey, hot sauce, cheddar cheese, peanuts, a bar of dark chocolate which he would take weeks to consume, and a bottle of Merlot.

Mike donated his corneas through his driver’s license. Two people will see because of a man who appreciated all the beauty in this world.

His final hours were with friends and family. Mike’s last words were I’ve had a good life. His faith allowed him to go without anger or fear, with grace and dignity.

Mike has crossed the bar, NK7G is now silent key. Mike has ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ and has taken his flying to the next level having made the last entry in his log book.

A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 11AM Saturday August 4th. Mike asked memorials be to the Humane Society or Faith Lutheran.

His ashes will be distributed by friends and members of the Chuckanut Flying Club over the waters off Petos Island.