Mike and I became very close friends during our senior year because we were in a lot of the same classes... drama, TV, English, etc. We always had a lot of fun.
Mike was one of the persons who encouraged me to enter the Miss Tech Pageant. I thought he was completely nuts, and said something along the lines of "in case you haven't noticed, I am only 5'2", and I don't sing, dance, or play an instrument... I don't have any talent".
Instead of saying "yeah, you're right, what was I thinking", he told me that I could do something different. And different it WAS! I made a documentary about our school since we were in TV class together for two periods each day. We had a lot of time to work on it. He was my camera man, and helped me with a lot of things. He was my one man entourage. I didn't win the pageant, but, I had done something that nobody else ever did, and I was proud of that, and I owe that to Michael.
After high school Mike and I stayed in contact, and was really bummed when he told me he was going to move to California because he wanted to be closer to his dad. After he moved, we lost touch for a few years until one day I was out taking a walk with my husband and he came running out of this house across the street from us. I screamed "MICHAEL!!!" and he screamed "CAPTAIN"... and then he ran over and picked me up and swung me around. It was so crazy... we had bought a house across the street from his mom and didn't know it.
After that we were in touch with each other all the time and we were even closer. He always came to town for the 4th of July because that is his mom's birthday. Lots of times he'd go and watch fireworks with us. My kids liked Michael because he was alot of fun.
Many times I would be having a difficult time but I wouldn't say anything about it, but, then I'd get a call from Michael because he said he felt God was tell him to. He always had a way of making me feel better. But, Michael was also never afraid to say what needed to be said even if you didn't want to hear it! Everybody needs friends like that.
Michael did move back to Omaha in "98, and I got to spend time with him during his last few days on earth. I was grateful that I had the chance to sit at his bedside and tell him how much I loved him and how he changed my life, and why he was one of the best friends I'd ever had. We talked about how God brought us together at just the right times when we needed each other most.
I know that Mike touched a lot of people's lives and changed them for the better. He loved God and wasn't afraid to share that. I learned a lot of valuable life lessons from Mike, and I try to be as compassionate and sacrificing as he was. He always gave to other people.
I still miss him a lot and think of him often. But, mostly I'm just grateful that God Blessed me with such a genuine friend. I didn't lose him because I know where he is... and the next time we see each other, he'll yell 'Captain', but, we'll never have to say good-bye.
I love you, Mike! You're the greatest! Keep praying for me!!!!
Laura, there is no way I could even come close to your beautiful post, but I did want to share my love and memories of Mike, too! We became friends in TV class and he could always make me smile and laugh! He was such a good friend, always downright honest (even if it hurt!) but you always knew he said what he said because he cared. He was one of my very favorite people I met at Tech, and I am so sad to say we lost track after high school. I wish I could have known the man he became, but based on the Mike I knew, he was incredible. I mean, if after all these years, he is still so able to touch my heart, with the memory of his smile, you know that is one special soul! Thanks, Mike, for pointing me in the right direction when it came to love-Bart and I celebrated 25 years of marriage this year and you were the first to open my eyes up to just give him a try!! xoxo Miss you but know you are still here! Love, Kym
I didn't know many of the people that are listed here, except the those I already knew about. I was saddned when I saw Mike was listed here and the smile I seem to recall so well. The memories I have of him are fragmented, but I what I do recall include his laughter and smile. I wish I remembered more, but it's good knowing all my memories of him cause me to smile.... Rest in Peace my Friend!
Laura Kirk (Mergens) (1980)
Mike and I became very close friends during our senior year because we were in a lot of the same classes... drama, TV, English, etc. We always had a lot of fun.Mike was one of the persons who encouraged me to enter the Miss Tech Pageant. I thought he was completely nuts, and said something along the lines of "in case you haven't noticed, I am only 5'2", and I don't sing, dance, or play an instrument... I don't have any talent".
Instead of saying "yeah, you're right, what was I thinking", he told me that I could do something different. And different it WAS! I made a documentary about our school since we were in TV class together for two periods each day. We had a lot of time to work on it. He was my camera man, and helped me with a lot of things. He was my one man entourage. I didn't win the pageant, but, I had done something that nobody else ever did, and I was proud of that, and I owe that to Michael.
After high school Mike and I stayed in contact, and was really bummed when he told me he was going to move to California because he wanted to be closer to his dad. After he moved, we lost touch for a few years until one day I was out taking a walk with my husband and he came running out of this house across the street from us. I screamed "MICHAEL!!!" and he screamed "CAPTAIN"... and then he ran over and picked me up and swung me around. It was so crazy... we had bought a house across the street from his mom and didn't know it.
After that we were in touch with each other all the time and we were even closer. He always came to town for the 4th of July because that is his mom's birthday. Lots of times he'd go and watch fireworks with us. My kids liked Michael because he was alot of fun.
Many times I would be having a difficult time but I wouldn't say anything about it, but, then I'd get a call from Michael because he said he felt God was tell him to. He always had a way of making me feel better. But, Michael was also never afraid to say what needed to be said even if you didn't want to hear it! Everybody needs friends like that.
Michael did move back to Omaha in "98, and I got to spend time with him during his last few days on earth. I was grateful that I had the chance to sit at his bedside and tell him how much I loved him and how he changed my life, and why he was one of the best friends I'd ever had. We talked about how God brought us together at just the right times when we needed each other most.
I know that Mike touched a lot of people's lives and changed them for the better. He loved God and wasn't afraid to share that. I learned a lot of valuable life lessons from Mike, and I try to be as compassionate and sacrificing as he was. He always gave to other people.
I still miss him a lot and think of him often. But, mostly I'm just grateful that God Blessed me with such a genuine friend. I didn't lose him because I know where he is... and the next time we see each other, he'll yell 'Captain', but, we'll never have to say good-bye.
I love you, Mike! You're the greatest! Keep praying for me!!!!
Laura
Kym Winchester (Winchester) (1980)
Laura, there is no way I could even come close to your beautiful post, but I did want to share my love and memories of Mike, too! We became friends in TV class and he could always make me smile and laugh! He was such a good friend, always downright honest (even if it hurt!) but you always knew he said what he said because he cared. He was one of my very favorite people I met at Tech, and I am so sad to say we lost track after high school. I wish I could have known the man he became, but based on the Mike I knew, he was incredible. I mean, if after all these years, he is still so able to touch my heart, with the memory of his smile, you know that is one special soul! Thanks, Mike, for pointing me in the right direction when it came to love-Bart and I celebrated 25 years of marriage this year and you were the first to open my eyes up to just give him a try!! xoxo Miss you but know you are still here! Love, KymSarah Schlatter (Undiemi) (1980)
I didn't know many of the people that are listed here, except the those I already knew about. I was saddned when I saw Mike was listed here and the smile I seem to recall so well. The memories I have of him are fragmented, but I what I do recall include his laughter and smile. I wish I remembered more, but it's good knowing all my memories of him cause me to smile.... Rest in Peace my Friend!
Sarah Schlatter Undiemi