In Memory
Michael Douglas Rounds passed away July 14th at his daughter's home in Willits, Ca. Despite an end which came too soon, he was a man who considered himself fortunate throughout his years.
He was born in Alexandria, Minnesota on November 25th, 1942 and spent his early childhood exploring the land and fishing the lakes with his sisters and friends. The Rounds family moved to Napa in the early 1950's where he grew up hiking, fishing and otherwise enjoying the outdoors and temperate weather. Drafted into the Army in 1964, Michael served in Germany where he was safe doing office work and listening to The Beatles. Later he worked as an apprentice at Mare Island, Vallejo, and enrolled in UC Berkeley where he studied physics. He enjoyed a career with Pacific Telephone becoming a skilled technician and working in numerous areas of telecommunications until his retirement in 2002.
His marriage to Alma MacAlpin lasted 14 years. Together they had 4 children. He later married Ana Lopez and though they divorced relatively soon after, she remained a dear companion through the remainder of his life.
Mike found joy in daily life, in social progress and technological advances; in science fiction narratives, traveling and camping; in his community, friends and family. He is survived by his children Priscilla Ossa, Michael & Alexandra Rounds and Samantha Overmyer, as well as his 10 grandchildren, sister Sandra Pinaretta Schill and his beloved nieces and nephews.
He is and will remain deeply missed. A wake will be held in his honor on August 5th from 1-4pm at the Benicia Yacht Club.
James (Jim) Pearl
Mike Rounds and I were Friends from High School up, until the time Mike died July 14, 2018. But it had been some years since we had seen each other, as I live in Northern Idaho, and Mike lived in Benicia, California. Fortunately, Alex Rounds, Mike's Daughter, called to let me know about her Dad.
As teens, and lapping into our early twenties, we had a lot of adventures together. We fished Lake Berressa, as the lake began to fill in 1958, catching lots of bass. We caught some very large catfish in Conn Dam one evening. We predator called (rabbit squeal) one evening in Desolation Valley, calling in a black bear, which fortunately decided that we were not worth the effort!
We were both interested in the sciences and did experiments in an old trailer on my Parent's ranch off the Monticello Road, east of Napa--my Dad had pumice/volcanic rock quarries.
By letter and e-mail at the last, we discussed all sorts of subjects. Mike had helped his Family navigate around the Northern California fires of October 2017, driving from Willits to the Bay Area.
Mike stood out. He was 6'4" tall, thin, and with curly red hair. Mike was kind, and cared about people. He was available to help others. Recently, he wanted to know the latest activities that Rosa, my wife, and I were involved in. I said we enjoyed going on college campuses (like Ray Comfort, well-known college and street evangelist--"The Atheist Delusion: Why Millions Deny the Obvious."). Mike was good in electronics, and majored in physics at Cal, Berkeley. Mike was learning almost to the day he died!
With our class now in their mid 70s and a little older, Mike would encourage us to use our time wisely with Family, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, and Friends. Every moment on Earth is a gift!
Perhaps--since Mike loved the outdoors--a good Scripture for Mike might be: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
My last letter to Mike was November 17, 2017. Knowing Mike had serious health issues, my last sentence to Mike was, "I want to see You in Heaven." Jim Pearl