On Wednesday, March 18th, the sad news of Mike Sipes' passing traveled quickly through the biology community. His struggle with IPF since October of 2017 had ended. Through it all, those characteristics of determination, patience, and optimism remained. It was a comfort that he slipped quietly away at night, with no signs of struggle, his heart had just stopped.
Mike Sipes graduated from college with a BS in Geology and a minor in Biology from the University of New Mexico in 1960. Soon after graduation be began a graduate assistantship in the Biological Sciences at Kent State University while he was pursuing a Masters in Biology. While attending Kent State University, Mike also earned another BS, this time in Education so that he could begin his teaching career. His first career choice was to work for the National Park Service until he discovered his new wife, Georgia, wasn't about to "live in the woods."
After Mike earned his degrees from Kent State, and Georgia finished her MS in Library Science from Wester Reserve University in Cleveland, they moved to Colorado. They both quickly found positions with JeffCo Schools. Mike taught life science, biology and marine biology for 33 years for JeffCo and 23 years in the summer Upward Bound Program at CU Boulder. Mike was named Teacher of the Year in 1975. Mike got more involved in biology education at the state and national level, joining the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) in 1982 and serving in various roles in both NABT and the Colorado Biology Teacher Association (CBTA). He was also named the Colorado Outstanding Biology Teacher Awardee in 1997.
Mike also worked for the National Park Service as a Seasonal Naturalist for six summers at Crater Lake, Haleakala, and Olympic National Parks. His connection and affection for the NPS allowed Mike to plan a number of workshops for his fellow biology teachers, including trips to Acadia, Yellowstone, Glacier, and various parks in Hawaii and Alaska. Whether domestic or international, Mike's strips were planned with learning at the forefront; filling each day to the brim. Mike had a fondness for sweaty tropical places just teaming with big bugs and other odd forms of life, so Papua New Guinea and Madagascar were on the list, too.
During his years at Everitt Junior High, he instituted a community recycling program which led to a student backpacking trip into Grand Canyon over spring break. Later at Alameda High School, he lef a student group in bicycling from Denver to Taos, New Mexico. His interest in oceanography also resulted in student trips to the Florida Keys, Belize, and Costa Rica.
Mike was one of the first volunteer day captains at Ocean Journey when it opened, continuing with them when it became the Denver Aquarium. Another favorite place to volunteer was the Butterfly Pavilion, where he loved holding their huge tarantula, Rosie. When our grandson was in preschool, Mike got permission to bring Rosie down to show the class. He would teach anyone who would stand still.
When NABT named Mike as the recipient of the 2018 Honorary Membership, he was so thrilled! It was a wonderful time to let him know that what he had done professionally mattered. When you find the purpose for your life that God has intended for you, and for which He has given you the talent for, there is simply nothing better! Good job, Mike!
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