Two years ago, Mike and I, along with
2 teachers and one parent took several students to Mass. for an off-season
competition. Over those two days, it was easy to see what Mike was all
about. We camped out, and many of us had little camping experience. So as
soon as we got there, Mike helped everyone set up their tents. Not long
after that he was building the campfire, and I’m sure he even helped cook
dinner after that. The next day the competition was brutal and our robot
was near the point of not being able to continue. Mike and a few others
were the last ones to leave the competition site well after dark that
night and the first ones back shortly after sun-up in the morning. They
were able to keep the robot running throughout the entire competition.
Mike did all this for the team, he wanted everyone involved to have the
best experience possible, and he did it all this with his usual smile. I
can never remember him wanting anything in return, other than to enjoy the
rewards of this hard work with the people he cared about.
This is just one example of Mike’s
selflessness that I remember and I’m sure most of you have seen it too.
Over the last two years there have been two engineering co-op students
that have participated on the robotics team. When everyone else was so
caught up in their own business, it is no coincidence that each of them
gravitated to Mike. He always made the time to be a mentor or to just be a
friend. This is what I hope I’ve learned from Mike – that I may never
again be "too busy" or "too tired" to help out the people I care about,
because in the end that is what matters most.
Among the many great things that Mike
has done for all of us over the last couple of years, one thing stands out
above all others – the one thing I will personally miss the most, he made
it fun! From funny, but often very bad, movie references to the friendly
making fun of each other to the just plain goofing off, there were always
plenty of laughs and many good times with Mike around. He was always in
search of a good time - he’d go biking in the morning, join us for some
volleyball in the afternoon, and then turn around and go out until late
into the night. I never could keep up with him. But now I’m wishing I’d
have tried.
I’m going to miss Mike, but I will
always be grateful for the time I had with him and hope that I have become
a better engineer, student, teacher, teammate, friend, and person for
having known him.
Written By : Andrew Blair
