Uncle Mike was a guy who could show you how to solve for a complex math equation, then teach you how to properly think through one of life's great mysteries and still have enough in him to provide a lesson in humor that might make a New York real estate tycoon blush in front of his next future ex-wife.
His passion for things intellectual was equally matched by his hearty laugh and the warmth with which he made many a niece, nephew and grandchild feel just a bit better about their day after spending time with him. Whether talking about school, friends, politics, music or Michigan, he both brought insight and, as importantly, CARED about what you brought to the conversation and made you feel important, Whether or not you were even old enough to contribute to the conversation.
As I've been thinking about Uncle Mike in the last few days, more than ever I realized how much of me was, at least in part, due to his being in my life. There are obvious things, like the toilet humor we shared, or the many Saturdays spent draped in maize in blue quietly and peacefully enjoying Michigan football games... or was it hurling words at the field that were only added to the lexicon with the invention of the Urban Dictionary? There were the many trips out west to Yellowstone, where in lucky years we would meet up and enjoy a Fat Tire on the deck of the Old Faithful Inn and wax poetic about the Bison crossing the river, or an Eric Clapton song, or percentages. The first thing I learned to cook was teriyaki pork tenderloin because Uncle Mike cooked it for me, my brother and a friend on one of those trips. I loved the guitar because Uncle Mike showed me a couple of chords.
In the past seven or eight years Uncle Mike always ended a phone call with, love you Guy. It started out of no where, but like all of the times I was lucky enough to spend time with him, it made me feel good. It was special because it made me feel like a special person to him. So I say back to him, Love you guy.
— Benj Lillie
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