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 .png) Michael Thomas Isenberg,of Annapolis, Md, died June 23, 1996 in Berkeley, CA of an apparent heart attack. Mike was born in Pierre and graduated a Merit Scholar in 1960. He was active in football and track and was starting center on the state tournament basketball team. While in high school, he wrote a sports column for the school newspaper and the Pierre Capital Journal.
With a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship, he graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and was commissioned as an ensign, USNR, in May 1964. In 1966 he graduated with a master's degree in history from Old Dominion University in Virginia, a degree earned while on worldwide active sea duty. In 1973 he earned his Ph.D in history from the University of Colorado. Mike completed course work for a master of general administration degree from the University of Maryland and was a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College.
From 1973 to 1980 Mike taught at the University of Colorado, University of Denver, University of Omaha and University of Nebraska at Lincoln. In 1981 he entered naval active duty as an instructor of history at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, becoming associate professor of history, USNA in 1988.
Mike was the author of several books, served aboard a variety of ships, earned numerous medals and was a member of several associations. He is survived by his mother, Maxine, his fiance Suzanne and her children plus many other relatives.
Mike's website: www.michaeltisberg.com
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Harley Middleton
Mike was a class act all the way. I remember him giving me my 15 minutes of fame when we were in the 7th grade and playing football. Mike was carrying the ball and headed straight at me and I knew I had to tackle him head on. Good thing for me he got careless moving the ball from his left hand to his right so that he could stiff arm me. Mike fumbled the ball forward right into my arms and I had a full head of steam going the opposite way for a touchdown. That was one of the few fumbles Mike ever made in any facet of life. Last year, my brother, Bud, and his wife, Sandi, were visiting my wife and me in California and we took them to visit old Pierre neighbors in Gustin, Ca. Mike's name came up in a discussion and my sister-in-law said that Mike's mother was from Pollock, SD just as she was. Sandi said that the girls in Pollock all had a crush on Mike and looked forward to his visits. I remember Mike as an accomplished guy who wasn't caught up in his own glory or abilities, one who died far too young.
Thomas M. Woods
Mike,
I still miss you and our many discussions. You were such a smart and gifted athlete, but what I liked most about you was your ability to laugh at yourself. Anyone who reads a dictionary for pleasure was not the normal kid.
I enjoyed our visits with you at Colorado and at Annapolis while you were teaching on multiple trips. I pulled some good ones on you but you always seemed to get even. You were always welcome at the Woods's residence as you were always so courteous to my Mom and Dad. They thought so much of you. They always enjoyed your visits even when I was not there. Think my younger sisters thought so also, but for different reasons.
Your Mom, Maxine, sure caught on fast to you adding a little water to the liquor bottles to make up for the samples we took.
Tom W