I can’t say that I knew Mike very well, though we did meet several times. We traded numerous messages on the forums over the years, and I scored a scope from him in that “pay it forward” thing that was going on for a while. Out at Talon, my son and I borrowed his chronograph to measure how fast potato sabots come out of a spud gun based on the different propellants used (my son’s science project), which Mike seemed to get a real kick out of (AquaNet rules, BTW). No doubt Mike was a generous guy with his knowledge, his stuff, and in his acceptance of people – however they may show up. Though he didn’t suffer fools indefinitely, he absolutely gave folks a chance to straighten up before he’d administer an Internet dope slap as a character correction measure.

After his illness was announced I shared a few success stories with him related to the aspects of his illness that I was aware of, as a means of encouragement, and frankly I was encouraged by his cheerful response and that he seemed to truly appreciate that people were praying for him. I liked Mike, am saddened by his death, and will definitely miss his presence.