In Memoriam

Michael Bolton Schmitz

1944 – 2024

Mike’s sister, Joan Simmons, was kind enough to share the obituary she wrote for Mike.  Earl has added in some of his memories.

Michael Bolton Schmitz of Seaside, California passed away unexpectedly in early February 2024.  Mike was born into his loving family on March 21, 1944, in Oakland, California.  The 40s and 50s comprised Oakland’s golden years, and Mike and his three siblings, Jerry, of Vallejo, CA, Joan, of Mill Valley, CA, and our beloved sister Judy, deceased, made the most joy-and only a little mischief-of their unstructured early years.  Earl met Mike when we were new to seventh grade at Piedmont High School.  Earl and Mike shared nearly every lunch hour while we were there, becoming very close friends.

Leaving childhood behind, Mike went to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where he earned his BA degrees in English and Journalism, and later an MS degree in Educational Psychology at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.  Earl was surprised when he saw Mike after college, with long hair and a beard.

He returned to California and landed in Monterey County where he recognized paradise. He would never leave.  He pursued a career in journalism working at the local radio stations, KRML, KBOQ, KIEZ, and KAZU.  Early on, music became his focus, especially the syncopation of Ragtime, and for more than 20 years, he hosted From Rags to Wishes on KAZU.  He amassed a large collection of Ragtime, Boogie Woogie, and Dixieland LPs and CDs.  He wrote articles for the local press and specialty publications.  A good writer, he was urged to write books, but music always claimed his attention. 

Upon retirement, he broadened his scope and began making music himself by playing the ukulele, piano, and singing.  He was also a dedicated volunteer at local organizations and at Radio Bilingue KDHC in Salinas. None of the above was extracurricular to him; the extra was an interest in track and field events. So, he ran himself, not jogging, not running on trails and roads, but sprinting on local school tracks, trying to meet and exceed his speed goals.  As far as we know, he ran last month.

In later years, Earl and Mike corresponded monthly, sharing accounts of their lives.  Mike and Earl rarely got together, but when they did, their special friendship continued.  

He is greatly missed by his two families, his birth and his local music families.  And we will all miss Mike.

Joan Simmons and Earl Sawyer