Michael was liiving in Urbana, Ill. If you look up his name and Urbana, you can see the brief obituary and people's comments who knew him as their church organist. I commented there.
"Hey, just call me Ishmael."
Does anyone else remember a time when Mike (not completly sure it was him) for some reason had to meet personally with Mis. Krepsky to discuss Moby Dick . . .(perhaps because he didn't turn in a book report on time?) I remember a gaggle of people (me among them) trying to encourage him in the upstairs hallway before meeting with her, trying to help Mike remember the characters and personalities in the story and the major events. Poor Mike was scared. I seem to remember coming out of her classroom a bit white in the face, and soooooo relieved it was over! That was probably the only time he got in trouble. Happy classmate memory of a terrific classmate!
john I did forensics with Michael. Our event was Play Reading. We did the courtroom scene from 'Inherit the Wind' ( Scopes evolution trial ) with firey exchange between Henry Drummond (Mike) and Mathew Brady (me). Mike's voice changed earlyI still remember Mike delivering the line "see this rock" as he held out his cupped hand holding an imaginary rock. Really well done and poignant. But once we had a by-the-book judge who told us any gestures were not allowed. And also small ensemble with white dinner jackets and bow ties. Good times.
Thanks for your great comment, John. . .(glad you didn't gesture while typing this). Mike was a really kind and funny person. Chris Anderson knew him best when they were at Lawrence U. their Freshman year.
URBANA — Michael Fisher passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from acute myeloid leukemia.
Mike was a man of gentle kindness, generous spirit and exceptional talent. A true gentleman, with a steady style and quick wit. An organist at Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church, he graced the Champaign community with his musical talent and brilliance. He lived a life full of friends, family, food and music that left him completely fulfilled and fulfilled those around him. He served others in a manner that made you realize he was genuine and meaningfully good.
A memorial Mass will be held on May 3 at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church, Champaign, where he served as organist for over 25 years.
I am so sorry and surprised to hear that Micheal had passed away. For the last few years I have been stopping in Urbana on my way north and meeting with Micheal for dinner or a visit. I will miss him this year. He told me about his birds and about his career with the school system where he worked with autistic children. Not only was he a talented musician but he was also a talented and caring person. I am so glad I got to know him these last few years.
Michael was indeed a wonderful friend. We got to know each other in HS but when we got to Lawrence, we really got to know each other. Michael was an incredible organist and so revered by the Conservancy that they gave him a key to the chapel, a very large church with a magnificent organ. We would occasionally have dinner together, then I'd buy a fifth of Chevis Regal and we'd sneak into the chapel and he would crank up that organ and I'd sit in the middle of the audience section and get blown away by his music. Later we'd go to a nearby cemetery and sip that nectar of the gods and talk. I'm getting teared up writing this. After graduation, Cher and I were planning our wedding and I insisted Michael be our organist. St. Joseph's wouldn't let him play their organ so the WB Munsinior made arrangements for us to be married at Holy Hill. Believe me, Michael blew the dust of one hundred years off those pipes! Our latest communications have been through facebook. I had no idea he was afflicted with Leukemia. Here's to a wonderful friend, a phenomenal musician, and a deeply caring individual.
In high school (and early college) years, I spent many hours with Mike and Mark Finch exploring the back roads of Washington County, sampling the excellent liquor cabinet in the Finch home, and puffing our Kent and Tareyton cigs. Hours and hours of laughter and philosophy.
Similar to Chris, I had the experience of learning about Mike's amazing musical talents as Mark and I listened to him practice on several Friday nights at Holy Angels. I had no idea the depth and expanse of his musical abilities.
He was a kind, funny and gentle soul...rest in peace.
Michael and I began our Musical years in Fifth Grade at Holy Angels. I was asked by Mrs. Martin to sing the Ave Maria at the next Sunday Mass. Michael was my accompanist. From that day forward we spent 100's of hours working together on future engagements and general practice in the High School Music Room, with Mr. Cupery. From the beginning Michael displayed his incredible talent. We became friends and visited many times after High School. Jean and I had the opportunity to visit with him about 2 years ago in Illinois. We are so glad we had this time together. I will never forget his talents, his gentle kindness, his honest critiquing, and that dynamite personality and smile. He truly will be missed.
We all knew and loved Michael. He played the organ at my wedding. Gif blessed him with a great gift. Heaven is floating in music!! Love Kathy Kauth Dums
Sue Schiller (Atwell)
Michael was liiving in Urbana, Ill. If you look up his name and Urbana, you can see the brief obituary and people's comments who knew him as their church organist. I commented there.
"Hey, just call me Ishmael."
Does anyone else remember a time when Mike (not completly sure it was him) for some reason had to meet personally with Mis. Krepsky to discuss Moby Dick . . .(perhaps because he didn't turn in a book report on time?) I remember a gaggle of people (me among them) trying to encourage him in the upstairs hallway before meeting with her, trying to help Mike remember the characters and personalities in the story and the major events. Poor Mike was scared. I seem to remember coming out of her classroom a bit white in the face, and soooooo relieved it was over! That was probably the only time he got in trouble. Happy classmate memory of a terrific classmate!
John Grundahl
john I did forensics with Michael. Our event was Play Reading. We did the courtroom scene from 'Inherit the Wind' ( Scopes evolution trial ) with firey exchange between Henry Drummond (Mike) and Mathew Brady (me). Mike's voice changed earlyI still remember Mike delivering the line "see this rock" as he held out his cupped hand holding an imaginary rock. Really well done and poignant. But once we had a by-the-book judge who told us any gestures were not allowed. And also small ensemble with white dinner jackets and bow ties. Good times.
John
Sue Schiller (Atwell)
Thanks for your great comment, John. . .(glad you didn't gesture while typing this). Mike was a really kind and funny person. Chris Anderson knew him best when they were at Lawrence U. their Freshman year.
Eugene (Gene) Gosewehr
URBANA — Michael Fisher passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from acute myeloid leukemia.
Mike was a man of gentle kindness, generous spirit and exceptional talent. A true gentleman, with a steady style and quick wit. An organist at Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church, he graced the Champaign community with his musical talent and brilliance. He lived a life full of friends, family, food and music that left him completely fulfilled and fulfilled those around him. He served others in a manner that made you realize he was genuine and meaningfully good.
A memorial Mass will be held on May 3 at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church, Champaign, where he served as organist for over 25 years.
Lynn Labisky (Meyer)
I am so sorry and surprised to hear that Micheal had passed away. For the last few years I have been stopping in Urbana on my way north and meeting with Micheal for dinner or a visit. I will miss him this year. He told me about his birds and about his career with the school system where he worked with autistic children. Not only was he a talented musician but he was also a talented and caring person. I am so glad I got to know him these last few years.
Chris Anderson
Michael was indeed a wonderful friend. We got to know each other in HS but when we got to Lawrence, we really got to know each other. Michael was an incredible organist and so revered by the Conservancy that they gave him a key to the chapel, a very large church with a magnificent organ. We would occasionally have dinner together, then I'd buy a fifth of Chevis Regal and we'd sneak into the chapel and he would crank up that organ and I'd sit in the middle of the audience section and get blown away by his music. Later we'd go to a nearby cemetery and sip that nectar of the gods and talk. I'm getting teared up writing this. After graduation, Cher and I were planning our wedding and I insisted Michael be our organist. St. Joseph's wouldn't let him play their organ so the WB Munsinior made arrangements for us to be married at Holy Hill. Believe me, Michael blew the dust of one hundred years off those pipes! Our latest communications have been through facebook. I had no idea he was afflicted with Leukemia. Here's to a wonderful friend, a phenomenal musician, and a deeply caring individual.
Eugene (Gene) Gosewehr
Eugene (Gene) Gosewehr
In high school (and early college) years, I spent many hours with Mike and Mark Finch exploring the back roads of Washington County, sampling the excellent liquor cabinet in the Finch home, and puffing our Kent and Tareyton cigs. Hours and hours of laughter and philosophy.
Similar to Chris, I had the experience of learning about Mike's amazing musical talents as Mark and I listened to him practice on several Friday nights at Holy Angels. I had no idea the depth and expanse of his musical abilities.
He was a kind, funny and gentle soul...rest in peace.
Michael Naumann
Michael and I began our Musical years in Fifth Grade at Holy Angels. I was asked by Mrs. Martin to sing the Ave Maria at the next Sunday Mass. Michael was my accompanist. From that day forward we spent 100's of hours working together on future engagements and general practice in the High School Music Room, with Mr. Cupery. From the beginning Michael displayed his incredible talent. We became friends and visited many times after High School. Jean and I had the opportunity to visit with him about 2 years ago in Illinois. We are so glad we had this time together. I will never forget his talents, his gentle kindness, his honest critiquing, and that dynamite personality and smile. He truly will be missed.
Mike and Jeanie Naumann
Kathleen Kauth (Dums)
We all knew and loved Michael. He played the organ at my wedding. Gif blessed him with a great gift. Heaven is floating in music!! Love Kathy Kauth Dums