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In memory of

Michael Edward Welsh

Danville, CA, USA

January 11, 1938 - August 8, 2021

Jan 11, 1938 - Aug 8, 2021

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Michael Edward Welsh, 83, of Danville passed away Sunday, Aug 8, 2021 at Kaiser Walnut Creek.

He was born in Mankato, Minnesota on January 11, 1938, the son of Ruth (Ulrich) and Tom Welsh.

As a child growing up in Mankato he had many happy memories. He spoke fondly of small town life in post-depression/ WWII Minnesota: sliding off the courthouse in the snow, delivering papers for the Mankato Free Press, racing cars with his brother, and playing baseball in the streets. The boys often played next to the jail and inmates would help umpire their games. In one game they changed locations and their umpire, who was to be released within a few days, was thought to have escaped. He and his friends testified for their favorite umpire and ensured his timely release. He grew up Catholic, and as all good Catholic altar boys he did it poorly. His hatred of incense led to his dismissal when he refused to light some exceedingly fragrant incense in the middle of a wedding mass.

In his childhood home, his father blamed the creaks and groans of the house on “The Ghost of Ed Lamb” a spirit he made up to avoid making repairs. To ease the children’s fears, Mike and his siblings were given whistles to blow when they were scared by a strange noise, as the whistle would scare off Ed Lamb. He often pondered the credibility of the story as he knew his father was just a terrible handyman, and later in life would recall it nostalgically.

He went to Saint Peter and Paul Catholic School and graduated from Loyola High School in Mankato. Due to his less than stellar high school grades he went to Mankato State where he came into his own. He transferred and ultimately graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering in 1962. During this time he worked for Continental Can. After the University of Minnesota, he received many offers for employment, but his heart was set on California. He accepted a job with the California Bridge Department which is now CalTrans where he worked for 39 years. There are people in the world who have a quiet impact, never receiving, nor desiring, accolades or acknowledgement. Mike Welsh was one of these men. He designed and supervised the building of many bridges and interchanges in Northern California, if you drive anywhere in Northern California- he got you there.

After moving to Vallejo, California from Minnesota (legend has it he made the drive in 18 hours without receiving a ticket) he met the love of his life, Dawn Nelson. He was working on the San Luis Dam when he regularly grabbed a Pepsi at the Frog Pond in Los Banos and the owner said her daughter was home from college and they needed to meet. Little did her mother know they had already met and had a dispute over the bottle deposit which Dawn’s mother had been not charging him. Mike was a frugal man, but Dawn was going to charge him that nickel as she later recalled, “I didn’t know who this guy was!” He married Dawn on August 1, 1964 at the Cathedral of Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento. As his mother attended mass twice daily, it was joked that she had a direct line with God, and thus their union was officially blessed by the Pope.

Post retirement he spent 20 years researching American Wars, taking long drives, walking the neighborhood, being Pop Pop to his 6 grandchildren, and reading voraciously. He was a supporter of the Friends of the Danville Library and was known to check out stacks of books and magazines until the librarian had to cut him off. The numerous roofers, electricians, plumbers, and construction workers who worked on the family home over the years will undoubtedly remember Mike hovering over them, inspecting their craftsmanship, and making suggestions, as Mike as an Engineer knew “a better way”.

Throughout his life, Mike enjoyed photography, journaling, gardening, wine/beer making, and building models. His family remembers him for his dry wit and sardonic jokes. Even after his passing his children and grandchildren will remember to never touch the TV, leave the lights off, and steer clear of his area where he mixed drinks. He was known to keep detailed notes, including a log of humorous scam calls. A year before his passing he imparted advice to his youngest: “Do not worry about time and distance apart, when I look at a picture of you, I am with you. Time and space does not matter. Remember that when I’m gone- when you think of me, I’m with you. Always.”

Mike was preceded in death by his mother Ruth Welsh, father Tom Welsh, sister Joan Myers, brother John Welsh and nephews Tim Welsh and Justin Weber. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dawn Welsh; Children: Michael Welsh of Martinez, Ca, Theresa (Jeff Drushal) of Tampa, FL, Michelle (Jeff Newby) of Milton-Feewater, OR; Grandchildren: Jack, Alex, Declan, Aisling, Caitlin, Roslynn; Sister-in-law Mary and many nieces and nephews.

Prior to his unexpected passing, Mike took one last drive through the valley with his wife and enjoyed one last trip to his favorite store: Costco. Arrangements were made through Grissom's Mortuary. A private family memorial will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Friends of Danville Library (400 Front St., Danville, Ca 94526), just limit the number of magazines you check out.

As his family sorts through the remains of a life well lived, they are comforted by puzzles and messages wryly left by a man who enjoyed a life well planned and detailed, even in death. His children would like to pass on one final message: “The lights are off, Dad.”

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