Comments on: The End Game….

By: Gabe Youtsey

Gabe Youtsey — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 15:43:15 +0000

I met Michael for the first time just under a year ago when the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources hired Webvanta to build a site for us. Michael came out and I (and I think others) were struck by his quiet genius. He really won us over with his wealth of experience and ability to paint a vision for us describing what we needed in a new site. We all came away deeply impressed with him and the company and hired Webvanta. Sadly, I believe this project was one of his last. I could tell it was a labor of love for him, and we are so deeply sad and sorry at his passing. Thank you for sharing this blog post Irene and accept our deepest sympathies. Know he was still making big impacts professionally all the way until the end!

By: David Marsden

David Marsden — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 19:06:33 +0000

So very sorry to hear this news. Thank you, Irene, for sharing. Michael was a bright, warm, generous soul who was a pleasure know. He will be missed.

By: Brian Case

Brian Case — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 08:48:38 +0000

Hi Irene. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the dinner and extended visit I had with you and Michael at STEM on 17-May. I really didn’t believe his passing could be mere weeks in the future: he seemed to be so much his old self. I will always treasure: the years we worked together on the newsletter and conferences; the things I learned from Michael; and the relationships he nurtured by bringing us all together to create something of real and lasting value. I watched his lecture to the high-school AP class with a smile on my face: there was the Michael I knew, making difficult, cloudy subjects simple and easy to understand. May he rest in peace.

By: Kent Jenkins

Kent Jenkins — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 14:03:26 +0000

By reading the comments here and elsewhere, by listening to conversations local and distant, by speaking to those who knew him and those who did not, I know that Michael succeeded in creating a legacy and a learning for his family, friends, and far beyond.

By: Haroon Dilshad

Haroon Dilshad — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 21:00:17 +0000

Hi Irene, I wish you patience and courage. Mark faced the inevitable gracefully and set an example. I’ve been following this blog from Pakistan and I just want to let you know that I’m with you in this moment of grief for whatever that’s worth. May the great man rest in peace

By: Jon Kern

Jon Kern — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 01:15:11 +0000

I only “knew” Michael as a wonderfully helpful owner during the early days (2009/10?) of WebVanta, helping with some technical issue with much grace and patience.

Reading his story and crying my eyes out with your entry Irene, I hope to meet Michael in the next life.

Thank you for sharing, and I am truly sorry for your loss, and the loss of the world of such a kind and productive soul.

By: Frank Liu

Frank Liu — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 23:12:09 +0000

Thank you, Michael, for writing this blog and sharing your journey with everyone! RIP!

By: Marilyn Frandsen

Marilyn Frandsen — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 22:22:05 +0000

Thank you for this post, Irene. Although I think perhaps we only met once briefly, Loralee and Patsy are my longtime friends (since we were 5 years old). I’ve been following Michael’s blog and so grateful to you to be able to to hear the end game was not that difficult and pain was controlled. I grieve with you. Best, Marilyn Frandsen

By: Suzie Heumann

Suzie Heumann — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 17:07:28 +0000

Thank you Irene for making this final post about Michael. I appreciate knowing about his last days. I’m glad it was easy, relatively speaking. He was a good man. I hope that life for you won’t be too difficult in the coming months. Big blessings to your family and to you.

By: AnnMarie Ginella

AnnMarie Ginella — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 17:01:31 +0000

Sending you so much love Irene. You and Michael will always be a beautiful couple in my eyes, forever linked by your love, your children, your undying devotion. Big, loving hugs to you and Mandy. He was a gentle, intelligent, caring, insightful, soft spoken leader. He will be missed, but surely remembered. oxox