In my few interactions with Mike he always impressed me as a really nice guy.
Being an east coast flyer the only time I bought anything from Mike was at Balls, and I am glad he was there with his huge trailer and roll-out rack. A few years back a 98mm EX-motor configuration I had put together using a 2 grain Aerotech casing over-pressurized on ignition (my bad, not A/Ts) and it blew the aft closure into the launcher steel base plate, turning it into an egg shape. I still had another certified Aerotech 98mm M to fly in a minimum diameter carbon fiber rocket, but now no aft closure so I took the bent one and went over to see Mike in the hopes he had some 98mm closures. Much to my relief he did, and on seeing the bent one said he was sorry for what had happened and that he would sell me a new closure and take some off the price. That was very nice of him, I said it wasn't necessary but he discounted it anyway to a level that was probably close to what he paid for it. Earlier this year I chatted with him on the phone about ordering a motor for delivery at Balls and we had a nice conversation.
No doubt west coast fliers are going to miss him not only as supporter of the hobby but personally as well. RIP Mike.
