An obituary for Mitch Pryor (for those who knew him)

Mitch Pryor passed away on March 13th, 2025. He was 51 years old—which is far too soon to say goodbye to someone this warm, funny, and kind.

He was born in Jacksonville, Illinois in 1974, although Mitch spent most of his childhood in the college town of DeKalb. Growing up as the middle child in a family of three boys, he learned to wrestle at an early age and soon excelled at it, becoming part of a state championship team, although he always joked about it.

Mitch was also an honors student, a skilled drummer, a tennis player, and a debate champion. But rather than being an annoying know-it-all, he moved through life as a self-effacing joker who went to incredible lengths to support his friends.

As a teen, Mitch attended concerts and Rainbow Gatherings, and helped many friends broaden their horizons by introducing them to new music, books, and movies. When he was sixteen, he nurtured his wanderlust by venturing out West with a friend on a road trip, camping in several parks. Not long after, he studied abroad in France, further expanding his sense of the world.

Mitch graduated at the top of his class and was accepted to Oberlin College, where he studied religion and the humanities. He often recounted that he chose religious studies because he wanted to understand why his high school girlfriend, being Jewish, was, according to his Christian upbringing, “going to Hell.” He cared for others, even beyond the grave. Mitch came away from Oberlin with a deeper appreciation for humanity and for the value of friendship, he let go of after-life worries to be more present and compassionate to those in his life.

Oberlin College expanded his friendships and his desire to work in the public sector. After graduation, Mitch left for New York, then decided to get a masters in public policy, but was convinced by mentors to get an MBA instead. This decision led him to California, which was to become Mitch’s favorite part of America, where he completed his MBA at UC Davis.

Mitch became part of the Silicon Valley tech industry, beginning with an HP internship that led him to several management positions in sought-after dot-com companies. He enjoyed the Bay Area, where he met his wife, Julij Miller. Mitch and Julij married in 2004, and in 2006 Mitch became a devoted father to their daughter, Prism.

Despite his real success in business, Mitch began to feel that something was missing in his life. His boss, wanting to keep him for the long run, suggested that Mitch take a sabbatical to sort things out. Coming from a family of teachers, he was drawn to the field, thinking that teaching might be the channel to fulfill his wish to serve the world at large. So, Mitch returned to school at San Francisco State University for a teaching degree. Subsequently, he became a History and Social Studies teacher and later Department Chair at the Oakland School for the Arts.

Mitch taught at OSA for several years. In the aftermath of the 2008-09 recession, he decided to try teaching internationally, and secured a department head job at the distinguished Tsinghua University International Division as the Social Studies Department Chair. He went on to other countries focusing on teaching History, Economics, and Humanities in schools in Myanmar, Dubai, and Ethiopia.

Mitch, Julij and Prism lived as expats among a community of diplomats, ambassadors, NGO directors, managers at multinational corporations, and former Foreign Service and Peace Corps officers. These connections were deeply important to Mitch, because these parents represented what he considered the front line of the best of American influence, and he was preparing their children to take the mantle to uplift and integrate countries with the global order.

As a mentor, Mitch led students to speech and debate competitions worldwide. He won a “Coach of the Year” award in the World Scholar’s Cup, and brought students to win international competitions multiple times.

Living abroad opened Mitch’s perspective in other ways. Mitch visited Nepal, a country of Tibetan exiles living amongst Nepalis sandwiched between their sovereignty and China. After parts of Nepal were destroyed by an earthquake, Mitch coordinated a second trip to assess the damage and get his students in Myanmar to provide financial donations to help rebuild a school in Dhunche, Nepal. He also checked on two students whose education he had sponsored. He continued to provide support for these students until they graduated; one of them is now getting a college degree in Canada.

In 2019, after a medical emergency, Mitch and his family came back to the United States. Despite that, he continued his passion for helping young people by teaching at Vandegrift High School in Austin, and later Manor High School in Manor, Texas.

From his childhood roots in a small town in Illinois, Mitch expanded ever outward, traveling to over 20 countries and impacting thousands of people in positive ways. He was a free spirit who loved back scratches, wandering with friends, playing the djembe, dancing, and Burning Man. He was always good for a hug, and always generous with his time.

A connoisseur of goofy comedies like History of the World Part II, Groundhog Day, Best in Show, and The Big Lebowski, Mitch had a keen and irreverent sense of humor. If you were having a bad day, he’d put on some Grateful Dead or Phish tunes and wax philosophic-silly with you until you felt better. Mitch had a rare talent for understanding what people were trying to say before they even said it, and he had a laugh like a chipmunk that inevitably lightened the mood.

Mitch never sought the spotlight, but excelled at connecting with people and bringing out the best in others. He’s fondly remembered by countless students, colleagues and friends around the world who feel lucky to have gotten to spend time with one of the friendliest and most supportive self-described smartasses on earth.

Through most of his adult life, Mitch served others while struggling with Type 1 diabetes. He advocated for more affordable insulin and better access to health care.

Due to complications from diabetes and injuries sustained in a 2024 car accident, Mitch was hospitalized in 2025. A few days after spending time watching Space Balls and The Princess Bride with his daughter, he passed away.

All of us who knew him are going to miss him like crazy. How lucky we were to get to exist on this earth with such a wonderful soul. “The Dude abides.”

Mitch is survived by his daughter, Prism, his brothers, Shawn and Gabe, his parents Dan and Jean Pryor, and his ex-wife, Julij Miller.

A memorial will be held on May 3, 2025 at 5pm, Ocean Beach, San Francisco, CA.

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