Michael Charles McBeth passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at Evergreen Health Medical Center in Kirkland, Washington at the age of 78. His wife of 55 years, Corenne, was at his side. Despite a diagnosis of myelofibrosis in 2014, he continued to live his life to the fullest, participating in the activities he enjoyed so much, which included traveling, spending time with family, and always learning, up until the time of his passing.
Mike, or “Mickey”, as he was known growing up, was an only child, born and raised by his parents Doris and Charles in Walla Walla, Washington – the origin of many of the stories he would recount throughout his life – and there were indeed many! Sometimes they were profound - like his memory of neighbors celebrating the end of World War 2 in the streets. More often, they were lighthearted, like the “Delishus” Bakery on a Walla Walla street corner that produced a generation of misspellers; his embarrassment at being dropped off at school in a fire engine by his Fire Chief father; or the time he was told by a shop clerk that “there comes a time in one’s life where the Slim Fit is no longer the most flattering cut.”
Mike was proud to be the first in his family to go to college, graduating from the University of Washington in 1964, and continuing on to receive a doctorate from the University in Latin American studies. One of the first participants in NYU’s Study Abroad program, he spent his junior year in Madrid, Spain, which he described as a transformational experience, setting the course for a lifelong love of travel and history.
After receiving his PhD, Mike was a professor of Latin American History at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, but eventually returned to the Pacific Northwest where he made a career transition into the banking industry. He saw his role as a Trust Officer at Seafirst Bank, and later Bank of America, as that of an educator, and found it immensely satisfying. He worked there until his retirement in 2000.
Those who knew Mike know that he always had a joke or a story at the ready. A consummate storyteller, he had many passions, including travel, especially to Europe and Central and South America, classical music, reading, history, and lively political conversation.
His greatest love, however, was reserved for his family. He married his wife, Corenne, in 1965, after the two met at the University of Washington. He would describe himself at that time as “so in love it was painful” when asked how they ended up engaged after only a few short weeks of dating – distinctly uncharacteristic for his usual nature as a planner! 55 years later, he attributed the longevity of their marriage to their “stimulating conversations.”
Mike and Corenne raised three children, Tim, Cathy, and Andy, which he considered to be his greatest accomplishment. He often spoke proudly of them to others, and upon meeting Mike’s friends, colleagues, or acquaintances, it was not unusual for his children to discover they were already fully informed on the details of their lives. He was a beloved and active “Grandpa” to his six beloved grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Doris Casey and Charles McBeth.
He is survived by his wife, Corenne, sons Tim (Wendy) and Andy (Ramona), daughter Cathy (Brett Schomber), and six grandchildren: Max and Annabel Schomber, Molly, Ryan, Serena, and Gillian McBeth; his sister-in-law, Caroline Smith (Ted), brother-in-law, Vernon Smith, and numerous friends.
We will deeply miss Mike. But we will treasure him in our hearts. Forever.
Due to the ongoing health crisis, only a private, family service will be held. Those wishing to leave a message or memory for the family are invited to do so. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Oxfam America at https://www.oxfamamerica.org/donate/ or another charity of your choosing. Mike was a supporter of Oxfam and its mission to end global poverty since the 1970s.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.8.18