Mike, A Lasting Impression
by Lawrie Alexander
     In the 50 or so years that I have been reasonably grown up, I have met a lot of people. Some were nice, some not so much; some were quickly forgotten, others made a lasting impression. Mike Singleton most definitely fell in the nice and very memorable category and my one regret is that I was not around earlier to share more of his fascinating life. When we first met at an MG club meeting back in the 90s, I was immediately impressed by his easygoing manner. As I got to know him better, I learned we both enjoyed race cars; when he shared stories of his involvement with Trans Am racing "back in the day", I realized I had met someone who had experienced real racing "up close and personal". My own involvement with vintage racing paled in comparison, yet Mike always listened to my stories as enthusiastically as I did his. If for nothing else, that made me appreciate Mike as a friend worth keeping!
     But there was much more to Mike than his appreciation of racing experiences. During this time in the MG club, he always showed his willingness to welcome new members, to participate fully in club activities and to offer technical help to anyone who needed it. His time as Club President-a position for which he volunteered, without having to be strong-armed, saw his gentle leadership maintain the club's enthusiasm for our activities. Mike and Heidi graciously hosted many events, including Christmas parties and the now traditional Oktoberfest. Mike always made sure that everyone, especially new members, was make to feel welcome.
    In the year 2000, my business partner decided to quit our partnership (restoring and servicing British sports cars) for family reasons. I was lamenting this situation to Mike shortly thereafter, and was delighted when he immediately offered to come out of retirement and work with me. Without his timely and knowledgeable assistance, Mike likely my business would have been in dire straits. This was just another example of Mike's willingness to help a friend in need, one for which I shall always be very grateful.
     In 2015, our club hosted a major MG meeting in Rohnert Pare. I had planned an event for participants to visit Sonoma International Raceway. Mike, of course, stepped up to help wherever needed, and I delegated to him the job of leading the group of 50 or so cars from the hotel to the track and coordinating the event with the raceway staff. Imagine my dismay when, on the morning of the tour, I phoned the raceway to tell them how many cars would be coming, only to be told "we were expecting you yesterday; we can't do it today." My notes clearly indicated that they had mixed up the dates not me, but that didn't change things. 
     Mike was in the parking lot with the group of cars, all expecting a ride to the raceway and a couple of fun laps at speed. I was at a loss as to how to deal with this situation, but Mike, as usual, was un-fazed and he quickly came up with an alternative plan. He knew the surrounding area quite well, and after explaining the mix-up to the group, he offered to lead them on a "spirited" drive of the local back roads. A couple of hours later, he returned with a group of happy MG drivers who had just had the time of their lives, driving their cars the way sports cars were meant to be driven. They all said Mike's drive was something they would remember for many years.
     That was Mike: ever resourceful, able to handle a difficult situation and make people happy. His untimely passing leaves a big hole in my life and I shall never forget this affability, his cheery smile and his genuine friendship. Go speed, Mike- have fun racing around the clouds and impressing the angels with your many talents!

A Memoir & Insight
Words to the Grandchildren
by Gregg Duranleau
 
I will remember a great many things of your Grandfather always. I knew Mike Singleton 49 years and although near the end we lived some distance from each other, we were never apart in spirit and consciousness. We experienced many things and emotions together; tragedy, victory, hardship, perseverance, and through it all, never quit each other. We, without ever speaking it aloud, were in it together and forever.
Your Grandfather, R. Michael Singleton was without any doubt the most intelligent person I have ever met. It remains true today. He had a breathtaking knowledge of history. I mean all of it, from the Egyptians to The Korean War, he knew everything, every date, every era, every empire. He tutored me in Algebra (or tried to) from memory without ever opening the damn book! Mike had a commanding knowledge of Philosophy and Logic, knew all the great thesis and posits of every great thinker in our world from Plato to Steven Hawking-seamlessly. He was a National Merit Scholar when in school, and something of a star in college. I viewed your Grandfather Mike as a cerebral phenom. I recognized this the first time I was introduced to him, in Spring of 1969 in San Diego, I specifically made it a point to know him better. 
It turns out that we immediately shared something in common, cars, and race cars specifically. We were as almost all young men of the 60’s era, very much obsessed with automobiles. They were: interesting, complex, attainable, and a social necessity. Fortunately I could hold-up my end of any automotive conversation as I had a Corvette, and knew how to work on it. We would spend all the spare time we had available reading and talking about automobiles, racing, etc..  As it turned out, we never stopped talking about race cars for the next 49 years. Ever.
In Spring of 1974, at your Great Grandfathers behest (another story itself), Mike moved himself, his wife June, and recently born Sarah, to the California Hill Country from San Diego. I soon joined him in Auburn as we were then almost inseparable, as I had also become enchanted with the region. Not very much time passed before we were introduced to another Corvette enthusiast, Gene Bothello, who later became the nucleus of the most unlikely and most intense decade of events and experiences ever to occur, in both our lives.
We both volunteered to join and participate in racing his car at local sports car events in California. The sport was colorful, loud, exhilarating, and to contribute as full-partners in the team, we were both hooked. We threw ourselves into the experience without conditions. It soon became apparent that we, collectively, had some talent at the sport.
But just as the future looked so bright and promising for us all, tragedy struck Mike’s world in a blow that was unforeseen and terrible. His wife June was killed in an automobile accident a few days prior to Christmas in 1975. Her death left Mike alone with Sarah, then just 6 years old, far from family and support, in an unfamiliar town and new job. Life was never to be the same again. Mike exhibited incredible courage and composure through the painful ordeal, unflinching and stoic always. 
Mike’s addressing what remained of his now shattered life’s-plan illustrated to me how a grown man of true character behaves in extreme adversity.  He somehow, stood-up to face the future without complaint, without visible emotion, and persevered onward. His character and resolve surely imprinted upon me as I too developed into adulthood.
But we had the future before us. We still had our dreams, and now we had new goals that were lofty yet attainable. Your Grandfather Mike played an important role in the effort. We travelled all over North America, living in hotels, sleeping in vans, working late and sometimes all night. Mike needed to care for Sarah who was developing into a young woman, and it was difficult. Despite this, we were successful in our racing endeavor, ultimately winning a National Championship in 1976 and a Professional Championship in 1979, against the best the nation could field. The sport was extremely demanding in the commitment of both time and treasure. Always present was the fact that people-friends could be hurt or killed if we didn’t all perform well. We depended on and trusted each other implicitly, vastly more so than any situation could be imagined in routine life. Your Grandfather Mike was always considered “essential personnel” during the entire effort. In the end it was indeed our finest hour, an experience and thrill that cannot be taken away. It is written history.
We disbanded the Team in 1981. We went different directions. I went into aviation, Mike returned to business, but we never lost touch. Decades later, we found ourselves brought back together-racing again, this time historic race cars. Old habits are hard to quit. By this time having known Mike for some 30 years, there was less and less to be discovered and learned, and more to just enjoy and reminisce. We were very comfortable with each other’s company, albeit polar-opposites politically we disagreed at times, still our after-dinner debates were apparently very entertaining, so I learned later.
I wrote this so you might know your Grandfather, Mike Singleton better than mere lore could provide, as I was there with him. We have but a brief timeline on Earth. He made good use of his time while here, and brought everyone kindness, humor, friendship. As far as I know he never made an enemy in his entire life.
There is an old adage…”you can consider yourself fortunate if you can count just 5 in your entire life you can call a real friend.” I believe Mike thought that of me, and I certainly number him as one such person.
I am eternally grateful to have met, and known him.
Gregg J. Duranleau – Mike’s BFF - March, 2018

  Mike will always remain a very special childhood friend. The Singleton family lived just around the corner from us. 
  We were playmates in the 5th grade.  Mike and I did a lot of fun things together.  We did Tom Sawyer things together.  As 10 year-old boys we built forts, built a raft and hauled it 10 blocks to the San Lorenzo Creek- where it floated for about 50 feet, then sank. That's when we knew each other best. 
  He was a warm and wonderful friend to me then. I still consider Mike to have been one of my dearest childhood friends and will always think I was lucky to have known him.
Jerry Petersen


First I wanted to say I wish I could have been with you in person. I am here in spirit as I know Mike is.
 The Singletons & Rosses go way back. From the early fifties when our dads joined as partners in pediatric practice, Mike & I became close as a result of our interest in cars. Model A Fords at first, then followed on with any number of small, sporty, especially cheap foreign beasts. There was always a fascination with anything greasy & smelly you could stick you hands into & accompanied by cheap pizza & a pitcher of beer. 
 Many days were spent on my Model A. This is where Mike showed me the proper way to make a salami sandwich: Two slices of Larraburu pre-sliced sourdough slathered with Best Foods Real Mayonnaise & piled at least a 1/2inch high with thinly sliced salami. Messy. Perfect. Singleton kitchen was always a place for great food experiences.
 In college we shared a rented repair garage which had been condemned by the state for the new freeway interchange. We worked on whatever project was at hand, including purchasing & reassembling a Lotus Elite. That garage complex became a gathering spot for friends & cars of many types from a Gullwing to a GT350, & from Minis to Alfas.
  We shared our personal lives through college as well. Present at each other’s weddings, Mike, June, my ex-wife Mary. I socialized a lot right up to Mike & June’s relocation to Auburn. After that our new lives & careers diverged. I was always happy when we would run into each other at vintage car events from Monterey to Sonoma.
  When I moved from Marin to Sacramento in 2008, I was much closer to Mike & visited him a few times at his business in Rancho Cordova. I had the pleasure of attending his 70th birthday party at the family home in Auburn. It was great to see Mike on his home turf with a passel of friends & family.
Last time I saw Mike was at an event in Sonoma in 2016 where he was his usual cheerful and perpetually positive self.
Thank you Mike for so many memories.
Bob Ross

My MGs brought me to Mike. It was a lucky day.
Mike was one of the very nicest and kindest people.
He was always eager and ready to talk, help, even console.
I'm so sorry for your loss. And our loss as lucky ones who knew him. He was a rare person.

I'd been dreaming of an MG since 6th grade in 1976. At 40 I decided to buy one. A beat up 1980 MGB Roadster. After being stranded a few times with a smoking engine, I found Mike. I've known him for 14 years, saw him several times a year and at the car shows. He gave me confidence to work on my MG myself and was always willing to help me find parts or fix something for me.  I just talked to him in August. I had no idea he was sick. I'm devastated and so sorry for your loss. The memorial today was amazing. I'm an avid skier and had no idea he liked to ski! I will remember him fondly always.

Condolences to the family. Michael was larger than life.  Please take comfort in knowing he lived a full life and was deeply loved.  You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this challenging time.  Sincerely, Gary & Debbie Damele

My sincere condolences to you - Heidi, Sarah, Casey and the extended family of Mike and to everyone who is sharing their grief. My thoughts and prayers are with you on this day and I hope you will spend today's "celebration of life" in the positive spirit that Mike had always been able to spread around him. He will be dearly missed by everyone who got to know him. Even though very far away from me, he had always been close to my heart and I've considered him family after all this time - yet long ago - that we spent together. All my best, Andy.

My sympathies to all of Mike's extended family.  I wish you all happy memories of Mike.

barney (oldest of John Smith family)

Sarah and boys, sorry to hear this. may you find love and strength through family and friends. love you, Aunt Linda

My sincere sympathy to Sarah and the rest of the family.

To the family of Mr. Robert Singleton,

I would like to express my sincere condolences for the loss of Mr. Singleton.

May the Most High God strengthen your family during this difficult time of sorrow.  Please find comfort in Psalms 145:18, 19 promise that "he is near to all those calling on him."

Sincerely, 


OBITUARY

Robert Michael Singleton

November 11, 1943 – November 15, 2017

Chapel of the Hills

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