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Michael Robert Black
1953 - 2010
Michael Robert Black
1953 - 2010
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1953
DIED
2010
Michael Black Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Bakersfield Californian.
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Jasmeen
April 3, 2024
I was in Mr. Blacks class in 2003, and was reminded of him while looking at baseball cards. He was one of my favorite teachers. So sad to hear about his passing.
Annie Torres
February 6, 2013
To everyone who shared their stories, prayers & well wishes, THANK YOU! I am Annie, Mr. Blacks eldest of his 3 children. It has taken me over two years to be able to read the guest book. It's been a very rough road without my Dad, but it helps so very much to hear all of the wonderful ways in which my father touched so many lives! He will live forever in our hearts (& I see SO MUCH of him in my now 6 year old son) who was lucky enough to know his papa, & and who was his papa's special close buddy. Thank you all very much & please never forget my Dad! The stories are what keeps his memory alive! Thank you also to my cousin Andy & his wife Arika for permanently keeping this book online. Means so much.
Kylee Satterfield
November 15, 2010
Mr.Black was mine and my little brothers 2nd grade teacher. He was the best teacher ever, He was very caring and funny. He was always making me smile. Even when I was not in his class he would still show tht he cared. He was great with my brother, and my brother is no angel, but Mr. Black knew exactly how to handle him. No other teacher can so far. We love you Mr.Black, love always your friend "Pinkie"
November 14, 2010
With kind memories, thoughts and prayers. May Peace be with you cousin...
Jacie Ann
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Alice Marcuse
October 22, 2010
I will miss you Michael, you always new how to make laugh when I needed a good laugh. Thank you so much for letting me sub in your classroom when you went to Italy, it was an honor. It is an honor to have known you and I will never forget you. You will always be with me. See you soon:)
Katy Rawson-Castro
October 21, 2010
Mr. Black was an incredible teacher. I have the best memories of him, even before being his student. I hoped and prayed the summer before 2nd grade that he'd be my teacher. And cried all the way home when I found out "I got him!" After many years, I've never forgotten Mr. Black or how he'd sing his "Katy song" to me when he had cross walk duty.
Years passed and I could not have been more delighted when my niece was also in Mr. Black's class his last year teaching. And many times though out the year he would send her home with pictures he found of me. She loved it! On the last day of school I went in to tell him how much he meant to me; he was truly one of the best teachers.
Pam Colon
October 21, 2010
It was such an honor to have known Michael Black. He was my sons 2nd grade teacher. One of my sons favorite teachers for sure and he is still talked about today. My son started collecting baseball cards when he had him. I can remember having to go and buy binders to keep them all in. He showed them off with pride and still has them to this day. My son Jeremy graduated from Ridgeview High School this past year (2010). I too have fond memories of Michael as I was the room mother for my sons class and helped in the classroom quite often. For my sons remaining years at Bill L. Williams I was on the Parent Club and spent alot of time on campus. I will always remeber his jokes and how he always made me laugh. I ran into him a year or so ago at the beach by the Pismo Pier when I was there with my family. He was walking down the street and I literally almost bumped into him. We chatted for a few and of course he asked about Jeremy and how he was doing. He was truly an awesome man and teacher, he will always be remember by our family as truly one of the best. Our thoughts and prayers got out to his family.
DeLynne Porter
October 21, 2010
May family and friends find peace and comfort in the memories of Michael. Even in my sadness, I can't help but giggle just thinking of Michael "Bud" Black. Articulate, opinionated and always upbeat Michael said it like he thought it. He had the ability to catch me off guard and just crack me up. I worked with Michael at Castle School in the cafeteria in the 90's and was the recipient of many notes and pranks. After moving to Iowa and now residing in Utah I have had to endure years of his email abuse! What an honor it has been. Rest well, my friend.
Lila Farmer
October 20, 2010
What great memories I have of Mr. Black. I was the Library Clerk as we opened Castle School and if I recall correctly, Michael was working as a custodian as he finished his credential. He then joined the teaching staff and life was never the same. With Castle's 'open classrooms' his morning singing with his students was always a delight. We even taped him once to add to the staff party festivity. I enjoyed his humor and his shared Kit Kat bars and will smile every time I think of him. My prayers for the family.
October 20, 2010
Michael was a Castle School Staff Member even PRIOR to earning his Teaching Credential! When he DID complete it, we teachers insisted that the "newly minted" Michael join us on our teaching journeys! Therein began "The Second Grade Legacy of Mr. Black." Michael took up residency in our hearts as a 22 year old college student, then grew and enriched our hearts as a truly gifted, unique and vibrant colleague and friend.
Vicki Durrett Morris
Newport Beach, CA
Kim Leifsen
October 19, 2010
So sad to hear of my first "favorite" teacher ever passing away! It's been a long time since I spoke or saw Mr. Black, but my many wonderful memories of being in his 2nd grade class back in 81-82' will live on in my heart forever....the many baseball cards he stapled to my papers (which prompted me to write a letter to Steve Garvey), the best friend I met in his class that year (we still keep in touch and see each other when we can), the jokes he used to play on us on the playground. Prayers for peace for you, his family. My heart is heavy and my eyes filled with tears! I will wear a hawaiian shirt and flip flops in his honor on Thursday!
Cindy Anthes
October 19, 2010
Mr. Black was one of my favorite teachers ever! Much love and prayers go to his family. I am so sorry for your loss...it is a great one.
Misty (Clemmons) Brandow
October 19, 2010
You don't know me but in 1983-1984 Mr. Black was my second grade teacher at Castle Elementary School. He was by far my favorite teacher through all my education and I still talk about him to this day. In second grade I knew that I wanted to be a teacher because of him. In 1999 I graduated from Fresno State with a degree in liberal studies and in 2001 I became a 4th/5th grade teacher. It was because of his inspiration that I am who I am today. I will always remember Mr. Black! My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time. I just wanted to let you know what an AMAZING man he is and how he touched my life!
Mike & Linda Decant
October 19, 2010
Sorry to hear of your lose. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Family.
October 18, 2010
Annie & Joey, I am still in disbelief that your dad is gone. I just heard about his passing. I am truly sorry for your loss as I know how important he was to both of you and Aiden. It has been a while since I had seen him, but glad to hear he had a beach house and got to enjoy it as well. May all the memories you have of your dad be kept close to your heart...he was truly a wonderful person. May God give you comfort at this time...you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you, Linda Kelly Goad
Corky Walters
October 18, 2010
Words can not cover ones loss
Elsie Sutherland
October 18, 2010
I taught with Michael at Castle School. I remember him as a happy, always upbeat person, and a teacher who loved his students and everyday tried to make learning fun and exciting for them.
I want the family to know that he was a unique person to those who knew him.
He will be missed by his fellow teachers who knew him over the years.
Priscilla Long
October 18, 2010
Dear family of Mike Black,
Mr. Black was both of my son's 1st grade teacher. He was the best!! He survived and put up with my two boys' antics, always willing to talk, laugh, and be there for me and the boys. The two are Danny and Doug Williams, and they live in Las Vegas and now have kids of their own - paybacks!! They were both sad to hear of his passing. Great obituary!! I remember his license plate XO XO XO's - that said a lot about the man. What a loss to you and all who knew him. Priscilla Long
Mark Wells
October 18, 2010
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
Lissa Beebe
October 17, 2010
I was in Mr. Black's first second grade class at Castle School. He was an amazing teacher and friend whose joy for life and love of children was inspiring. I went back to visit him when I graduated from high school and of course he remembered all of the fun we had in that first class so many years ago. I want his children to know how much he was loved and will always be remembered.
Kimberly Cannon
October 17, 2010
Michael, I will miss you FOREVER and a day...
Krista Stapley
October 17, 2010
Mr Black grew up with my grandparents and was a teacher at bill l Williams when I attended he always had a joke to tell and always made me laugh though I hadn't seen or spoken to him in years he will be truly missed.
Krista Stapley
Mark Weir
October 17, 2010
Melanie, Annie, TJ, Joey and all of Mike's Family:
The obituary was spot on. It captured Mike perfectly. And what a way to remember him, in a Dodger jersey or a Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops! Again, a job well done. Mike was generous, humorous, philanthropic, gregarious, politically incorrect (perhaps, my favorite part of him), adventurous, mischievous and a liberal from Taft. What a wonderful combination. Whether it was at a Dodger Game, the occasional after work margarita, or a beer tasting trip in SLO, thank for you sharing him with me. He was a magnificent friend and I will miss him greatly. Each of you is in my thoughts and you’re all loved by so many people.
Mark Weir
October 16, 2010
Melanie, Annie and Joey:
The obituary was spot on. It captured Mike perfectly. And what a way to remember him, in a Dodger jersey or a Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops! Again, a job well done. Mike was generous, humorous, philanthropic, gregarious, politically incorrect (perhaps, my favorite part of him), adventurous, mischievous and a liberal from Taft. What a wonderful combination. Whether it was at a Dodger Game, the occasional after work margarita, or a beer tasting trip in SLO, thank for you sharing him with me. He was a magnificent friend and I will miss him greatly. Each of you is in my thoughts and you’re all loved by so many people.
Debbie Taylor
October 16, 2010
Mr Black lived next door to my grandfather for many years and I was also fortunate to meet him while attending Castle Elementary. He will be missed very much!
Kelsy Wolfe
October 16, 2010
Mr. Black was my second grade teacher at Bill L. Williams Elementary School in 1998, but more than that, he grew to be my friend. When I think of elementary school, he is the person that pops into my head. Thanks to him, Arthur the Aardvark has a special place in my heart. We would watch that show every morning after recess without fail, and I still know the opening song by heart. Growing up,I would sometimes go to the school to visit some old teachers, but Mr. Black would be a mandatory stop. He constantly put a smile on my face and made me laugh and was also without fail interested in what I was doing with my life. I can't remember a moment when he didn't have a huge smile on his face. He was constantly a support, and even when I moved away for college three years ago, I always felt the need to go back and visit him when I was in town. I have so many memories of this man and am so grateful for the way he touched my life. This amazing man will be truly missed for his smile, pure happiness, generosity, and genuineness.
You are truly a loved man Mr. Black and always will be.
Dawn Bittle
October 16, 2010
I was shocked by the news of Michael's death because he was one of the most vibrant people I have ever met. He always had a smile on his face and made sure everyone around him was smiling too with all of his jokes and antics. He was such an incredible individual who made a difference in so many lives. Mr. Michael Black will be truly missed!
Dawn Bittle
This is how I will remember Michael!
Wendy Vieira
October 16, 2010
Michael was such an amazing friend. He added so much joy and laughter to our days working together at Williams Elementary. I will always remember his infectuous laugh, and the mischevious look in his eyes when he was up to his practical jokes. He was my friend, my mentor, and taught me that life should be lived to the fullest! What a legacy he leaves...how can anyone forget Michael BUD Black?
Mr. Black with his class 1978-1979
October 16, 2010
October 16, 2010
Mr. Black was my second grade teacher in 1979 at Castle school . I still have a lot of memories and have shared stories with my family about him to this day. He was a wonderful man and a great teacher. When I was a kid I received a rabbit as a pet and named him Mr. Black. Just last year I was talking with Mr. Black through email and we were looking at my class picture from 1979. To my surprise he rememebered every single kid's name in the picture. My sister had the pleasure of working with him and she told him that I was her brother. He asked her who my favorite baseball team was. She told him, and he sent me a bunch of baseball cards through the mail, mostly of my favorite team. He will be missed, but never forgotten and he will always be a positive influence on my life. Bryan Timmons
October 16, 2010
To Mr. Michael Black's Family,
Our family met Michael when my daughter Kelsy started second grade. She is now 20 years old. Our other younger children, Max and Jenna followed. We became very close to him throughout the years and laughed at everything he did. Arthur was Kelsy's favorite thing during class. Max had his own desk at age two, with his name and everything. He held Jenna as an infant and watched our family grow. Our older daughter,Jamie, would sneak in his room after he left for the day to decorate his room for Open House. I loved helping him in his room. His personality shined and when I needed lifting up during my illness, I would see him. He will be forever missed and loved by our family. There
We Love you Mr. Black,
The Wolfe Family
Eric, Dale, Jamie, Kelsy, Max and Jenna
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