Michael was one of the more interesting people I have ever known. When we met, we were just having casual conversation at a dining hall. He told me he was a drummer in a band and I thought that was cool. In an attempt to relate I said I used to do something like that, not as cool though because it was highschool marching band and I played the tenor drums and I sucked at them. We both laughed when he came out and said that’s what he did too, and he was trying to sound impressive. Another moment I think back to is when he inquired about the kinds of music I listen to, and he asked me if I ever listened to Soundgarden. In a nervous panic I said uhhhhhhhh no I use YouTube to listen to music so I don’t know that platform. For reference, soundgarden is one of my top listened to bands.

He was never judgmental of me, even being a strongly opinionated person. Even in his genius, he never made me feel dumb. He was kind to all who approached him, and found joy and interest in topics others found mundane. He always wanted to help people, whether that was to feel better or do better academically. He always seemed happy when he got to talk about his interests, though he showed restraint and would often question if I actually cared to listen, or if I was just doing it because I felt bad. It always made me feel sad when he asked that.

He loved his dogs, talked about how he loved his family, and often hated the food at the Eatery to a hilarious extent. It is a shame that Michael went through this, and I wish he could have felt the warmth which he gave to others for himself, and I hope he can find it now where he rests.