I have only wonderful memories of Michael at Valaran. He was a remarkable colleague, a terrific boss, and I learned so much from him early in my career. He was always kind and encouraging and, of course, so smart.  He helped me develop professionally by trusting me, and he was always supportive. My deepest condolences to the entire family.

I'll never forget when Michael called me and asked if I knew anyone who had a NeXT computer in Ottawa.

A friend from CERN, Tim Berners-Lee, wanted to do a demo on some little thing called the World Wide Web. Turns out I knew someone who did and while I missed the demo, (which was fortunate as it was an embarrassment for a soon to be bankrupt Canadian tech giant), I did manage to share a really spicy rendang at Chahaya Malaysia with Michael, Tim and a few others.  I think that's when I heard him giddily tell me about a wonderful person he met named Aleta.

I worked with Michael as a graduate student and after, on a variety of projects, including Cornell's first(?) web server in the very, very early days of the web.  His positive outlook and love of problem solving was inspirational, as was his love of cycling and cross-county skiing back in the day.

Michael at a CLEO commemoration

I would see Michael zooming down the street from my kitchen window. One day I ran outside and waved him down.. "who are you?" He was on his way to audit a class at Princeton. We talked for just a few moments and became instant friends. He reached out a few days later and asked if I could help him adjust his motorized chair (and his server, bed, lights, door locks etc). His knowledge of everything was refreshing. He was one of the few people I could talk to in great detail and at high speed about Astronomy, Physics, Engineering, Electronics, Music, Politics and Family. I had just been hired by Northrop Grumman to teach about the JWST and was scrambling to learn all I could about the new telescope. Michael called me from Princeton and wanted me rush over to a lecture by John Mather. When I got there Michael introduced me. Mather, a noble laureate, was the senior scientist for the James Web Space Telescope. I could not do better. Thank you Michael for letting me be part of your life and family.  Aram Friedman March 29, 2023

Xmass 2016

Testing iPad holder

ThanksGiving 2018

My wife Ann and I met Michael shortly after we moved to Ithaca NY in 1984. We were both doing post docs at Cornell. I was taken by his passion for cycling and for a couple years tried to match Michael’s commitment to riding throughout the Finger Lakes, even joining him and two others for a 200-mile-in-one-day Double Century in a figure-8 route around Seneca, Cayuga, and Owasco Lakes. Unlike Michael, my energy and dedication to cycling flagged thereafter, but I will always recall his positive, competitive spirit in the lab or on the bike. His sense of humor and tendency to lapse into hysterical laughter upon hearing the Monte Python dead parrot routine remain strong memories. His perseverance and drive to excel at everything he committed to carried forward to his epic battle with MS and the American health care system, which he doggedly pursued as much for others with disabilities as for his own precious independence. Michael embodied courage in the face of adversity. 

I was so sorry to hear about Michael's passing. He was such a [ good man  ] and [kind ] person.

The news of Michael's death made me very sad, but also allowed me to remember some of the great times that we shared together. I don't recall the details of the last time that myself and Sheldon had the opportunity of spending time with him, but I remember his infectious joy of life and his buoyant moving around with his motorized device. He will be always in my heart as a wonderful scientist and a remarkable human being. A true role model!