Obituary for Dr. Michael Roy Land MD

Dr. Michael Roy Land, MD, a dedicated physician, loving husband, and cherished father, passed away at his home in Matthews, North Carolina, on July 13, 2024. He was 73 years old.

Born on June 8, 1951, in Sullivan County, Indiana to parents Roy Grover Land and Valeria May Land, Dr. Land's journey in medicine began with academic excellence. He graduated as valedictorian from North Knox County High School in 1970 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Indiana University in 1974. Continuing his academic pursuits, he graduated with an MD from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1980, where he was recognized as a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society.

Dr. Land's commitment to excellence in obstetrics and gynecology led him to complete a residency at Duke University in Durham, NC, from 1980 to 1984. During his residency, he spent a transformative period at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, fostering international medical exchange.

In July 1984, Dr. Land joined the Bradford Clinic in Charlotte, NC, where he dedicated over three decades to caring for his patients with empathy and skill. Specializing in obstetrics, he welcomed more than five thousand babies into the world, leaving an enduring impact on countless families.

Passionate about advancing medical technology, Dr. Land embraced the DaVinci Surgical system in his later years, becoming an advocate for its use in treating complex surgical cases. His enthusiasm extended beyond patient care; he found joy in teaching these advanced techniques to surgeons across the country.

Beyond medicine, Dr. Land was a man of diverse passions and had an adventurous spirit. An avid car enthusiast, he was a member of the Ferrari Club of America and enjoyed racing cars throughout the United States in the 1990s. In later years, he could often be spotted driving around the greater Charlotte area in his ‘65 AC Shelby Cobra. Throughout his life he found solace and adventure on his motorcycles, traversing the continental United States several times and was particularly fond of visiting the great National Parks. An accomplished scuba diver, Dr. Land spent many vacations in the Caribbean, exploring barrier reefs, shipwrecks and other underwater wonders.

Dr. Land was also a skilled gunsmith and marksman, spending countless hours perfecting his craft and enjoying target practice at his home range. His zest for life and hobbies was matched only by his love for his family.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 21 years, Maria Cagle Land, his sister, Rebecca Land Ready, his sons, Christopher Michael Land (Ashley), Dr. Eric Scott Land, Dr. Joel Alexander Land, Matthew Thomas Land (Gabriela), Jonathan Robert Martin (Elka), Alexander Michael Martin (Lauren), and several grandchildren. His legacy of kindness, humor, dedication, and joy for life will be forever cherished by all who knew him.

A celebration of Dr. Land's life will be held on Saturday, July 20th with public visitation at 4:00pm and service from 5:30pm-6:30pm at Heritage Funeral Home, 3700 Forest Lawn Drive, Weddington, NC 28104.

Dr. Michael Roy Land, MD, will be fondly remembered as a compassionate healer, devoted family man, and an inspiration to colleagues and friends alike. His impact on the medical community and beyond will resonate for years to come.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in Michael's memory to: stjude.org