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Michael Yarrow Obituary
Michael Norton Yarrow (Mike), a much loved sociology professor and organizer for peace and justice, died June 2, 2014, age 74. Mike grew up in southern California and Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. After graduating in sociology from Antioch College in Ohio, he completed alternative service to the draft organizing for peace with the American Friends Service Committee. In the summer of 1964 he registered voters in Mississippi with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee's Freedom Summer. While earning a master's degree in sociology at Cornell University he married Ruth Morris, a marriage that lasted 48 years until his death. His doctoral thesis from Rutgers University focused on how Appalachian coal miners understood the issues affecting their lives. He taught sociology at Ithaca College in upstate NY for 18 years where he and Ruth raised their family. There he was active in efforts for a livable wage and ending the nuclear arms race. In 1997 he and Ruth moved to Seattle, lured by their love of mountain backpacking. Here he worked as an organizer for peace and justice, especially at the Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation where he launched the Peace Activist Trainee program that has graduated over 90 high school students. Mike was an active member of University Friends Meeting (Quakers), and a board member of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, of the pro-soldier anti-war center Coffee Strong, and of the Abe Keller Peace Education Fund. He enjoyed singing with the Seattle Labor Chorus, working with a group for a just sustainable economy, and adventuring with friends and family with rafts, canoes and backpacks in the wilderness. He was dearly loved for his thoughtful activism and leadership for peace and justice, his warmth and humor. He is survived by his wife Ruth Yarrow, son Matthew Yarrow, daughter Delia Yarrow, and brother Douglas Yarrow, their spouses, and a loving extended family.
A memorial service will be held on July 19, 2014 at 1:00 pm at University Friends Meeting, 4001 9th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105. Donations may be made to the American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Yarrow
Sponsored by The Family.
Linda Finlay
June 6, 2023
My favorite memory of Mike is him standing by the hospital bed of little Peter Evett as he lay dying. Mike sang for many hours. Peter´s heart beat steadied, and doctors, nurses, and others in the hospital began to stop by Peter´s room to add to the singing, but it was really Mike who kept it going. A beautiful send off.
Kathi Brumbaugh Caber
February 26, 2021
I have been thinking about Mike so much lately. He was my favorite professor at Ithaca. He sowed the seeds of my lifelong passion for social justice. I am still friends with one of my classmates, and we recollect him so fondly. We are both social workers, a path that he was instrumental in forming. I don't know if these comments are seem by the family anymore, but, if so, I wanted them to know what a difference he made in my life and the lives of many.
Gerri Haynes
June 6, 2020
Mike was always so kind to us - and able to teach us while making us feel capable...
June 9, 2019
Mike truly lived Antioch's motto - "Be ashamed until you've struck one blow for humanity". I am reminded of my fellow Antiochians (Mike and Ruth) daily as on my refrigerator, in a place of honor, is the lovely, heartfelt piece of art they send to me when I was desperate ill and in tremendous pain.
Ruth drew a pumpkin growling, I assumed, trying to growl away my pain. The post-Halloween note includes notes that only Ruth and Mike together could write.
I served on the board of Coffee Strong with Mike for too short a time. I absolutely loved the fact that he called himself "a recovering academic"; so unassuming; so warm. Seems like only yesterday and yet must have been five years ago.
Ruth, if you could check in and let us know how you're faring, I, for one, would much appreciate it. Love, Anne in O-land
Steve Richmond
June 6, 2019
I still remember that great man, his courage back in the day, and his non-stop advocacy. We miss him!
Gerri Haynes
September 21, 2018
We miss your gentle good humor and inspiring dedication to care for others. Much love to your spirit
Thomas Keene
September 20, 2018
One of the many Freedom Summer heroes of the civil rights movement.
May 18, 2015
Dear Ruth and family,
I know I said it when he passed but still to this day I cannot remember a better person to have known. I feel eternally blessed to have met and known Mike. He was truly a remarkable man who chose a remarkable woman to be by his side. He made this world a better place and me a better person for knowing him. I am so glad I got to meet and speak with him on a semi regular basis. Every encounter I learned something new either about himself or myself. You both will be in my heart forever. He will be missed but Never forgotten.
Katy McClure (MA) Seattle
Carl Shutoff
July 22, 2014
Dear Ruth and family,
I was so sorry to hear about Mike's death. He was one of the best men I've ever known. This world will be far a less interesting place without him. He touched everyone that came in contact with him. He will be missed by all.
Judith Kolokoff
July 15, 2014
I am truly sorry to hear about Mike's death....we worked together in Seattle during my tenure in AFSC and his energy, his passion for justice and the work he has done for human rights all his life was very evident in the work we did together.
I am glad to have known him and I know he will be missed.
July 8, 2014
Dear Ruth and family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Mike's passing. I remember both of you so fondly from your years in Ithaca-- your warmth, work with the Nuclear Freeze Campaign, the play reading group, and so many other wonderful and important things you both were involved with.
We are thinking of you. Carol (Ornstein) and Richie (Holtz)
Gabriel Lavalle
July 4, 2014
I only met Ruth and Mike in 2007, but it seems like I had known them for years. I went to DC in January 2007 for a UFPJ march against the Iraq War. Mike I first encountered in the hall of the Rayburn building where he and others from SNOW had a long role of paper with signatures of people against the war. He was very at home in the halls of Congress, all smiles and joyful, doing what he did best. Spreading the message that working for Peace and Justice is not only rewarding but FUN! It is up to us now to keep on smiling and speaking up!
June 28, 2014
So sorry to hear of Mike's passing. I have fond memories of him and you all and the very warm welcome the Mitchells were given in 1990. Thinking of you Ruth. Sue Mitchell
Karen Hossfeld
June 23, 2014
What a lovely, loving man, who so adored his beloved family and greeted life with glee and compassion.
Companero Miguel, Presente!
Much love to you, Ruth and kids.
Karen Hossfeld, past Sociology colleague, old friend, and Matt and Delia's "Big Weirdo"
Mike Simkin
June 23, 2014
I have missed Mike since he and his family left Ithaca. I send my love and condolences to Ruth and family.
Mike, Ithaca Monthly Meeting
Denise Benjamin McDermitt
June 23, 2014
I was so saddened to read of Mike's passing. I remember his warmth and kindness as I entered his office during his lunch hour to see if I could get into his already over-capacity Sociology of Work class in 1994. He set down his sandwich, asked me my name, signed the form and said "welcome." Because of him, I became a sociology major and he became my academic adviser until his retirement. He opened my eyes to many social injustices and opened my heart to the idea that I could be a part of change. Simply put, he was a lovely man, and I feel fortunate that he was one of my mentors in life. My sincere condolences to his friends and family.
Jane Cutter
June 20, 2014
Mike's friendly spirit and sense of humor will be missed. My deepest condolences to Ruth and the entire Yarrow family.
June 19, 2014
Ruth,
My thoughts are with you and family. Shared sad news with Ithaca and former Ithaca friends. Many fond memories there with you and Mike. A sweet and gentle comrade.
Peace and love,
John Marciano
Santa Monica, CA
Jonathan Laskowitz
June 19, 2014
Mike's office door at IC was always wide open, that lunch pail in evidence. My thoughts are with you Ruth
Bill Moyer
June 18, 2014
(from a post tribute to Mike I made elsewhere):
I was saddened and shocked last week to learn of the passing of another incredible human being, Mike Yarrow. The Seattle Times obituary beautifully captures Mike's deep moral courage, commitment, and passion for peace and justice. My experience of Mike was of a super down to earth person, whose life was in complete harmony with his values.
Mike picked me up hitchhiking one day on Vashon Island, where I was surprised to see him, but he was out to visit family and do some plumbing I believe. Speaking of plumbing, another impression Mike leaves with me is of a brother GOOFBALL! Here's a YouTube video of Mike and his cohorts doing a protest in the most unfriendly whether with the silliest of props, trying to wake people up about a most serious reality of the costs of war.
http://youtu.be/0OdfvHweWvg
Mike and his wife Ruth Yarrow have been important elders in the peace and justice movement. Personally, I have looked to them as a kind of barometer for my own work, respecting that they could reflect whether I was on track or not. I look forward to benefitting much more from their wisdom through the vivacious Ruth. I will miss Mike, but his humor, intelligence, and integrity remain with me and many others, as something to strive for in ourselves.
I send my love and condolences to Ruth and all of Mike's family and close friends, as your loss is profound . Anyone who knew Mike will miss him.
In grief, love, and gratitude,
Kathy Langerllan Eggers
June 18, 2014
We are all diminished by his passing. What a wonderful example of humanity. Such great memories of knowing him at Ithaca College.
June 18, 2014
Dear Ruth, my heart goes out to you in this time of loss. I often think with fondness of our birding times, and your urgings to me to become an activist. I did finally follow your guidance. My caring thoughts are with you.
Marie McRae
Jim Morrissette
June 18, 2014
Thinking of Ruth, Matt, and Delia. Goodbye, Mike - and hail!
Deborah Dietrich
June 18, 2014
Ruth--So sorry to hear of Mike's early death. Thinking of you.
Michael Miller
June 18, 2014
The intersections of life that make us passerby's are lit by those who stop long enough to become friends. The different avenues we take are brightened by those who's memories warm the way. He was a great friend and adviser during my Ithaca College years.
Ana villa
June 18, 2014
I did not know him but he sounds like an incredible person that made this world a better place!.
Peace and love to his family.
Ana M. Barraclough-Villa
Becky Chabot
June 18, 2014
Ruth my heart goes out to you...sympathy, love and prayers to you my friend at the passing of your beloved husband. Becky Chabot (formerly Iddings)
June 17, 2014
He will always be one of my heroes.
Nora J Percival
June 16, 2014
Via con Dios, Mike. I know you are home with God, and finally out of pain.
Kathy Barker
June 16, 2014
That peace is not "just" the absence of war, but is an active state that requires love and determination is something Mike communicated with every breath he took and smile he gave. He will always be an inspiration to me.
Kathy Barker
Roger Kluck
June 16, 2014
I remember Mike on an MLK day at Garfield H.S.. He had brought a case of Chris Hedge's book "War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning" - a strong critic on the seductiveness of war. He was passing out copies for free, but to get one you had to promise to pass it on to someone else to read - with the same condition - they could not keep it and must pass it on. Pure Mike.
June 16, 2014
Dear Ruth, Delia and Matt: It is with great sorrow that I heard the news of Mike's passing. What a loss! Not only to you, his closest loved ones, but to so many others and to our struggles for economic and social justice. We have created a vibrant living wage movement here in Central NY and Mike played a seminal role right in the beginning shortly before leaving town. Of course he made many more contributions to our struggles for worker justice but I personally was moved to action on the living wage front through Mike's encouragement and efforts, and I will never forget him for that.
Peace and love,
Carl Feuer
June 16, 2014
It was an honor to have known Mike. I have great memories from my years of knowing him through WWFOR. My sincere sympathy to all the family. Karen Lutz
June 16, 2014
In honor of Mike we must continue his work!
Vivian Relta
June 14, 2014
My sincerest condolences to Ruth, Delia, Matt at this time. Michael Yarrow was an inspiration, a true ally who lived his life using his heart and mind to create a better world. I feel blessed to have met him a few times but felt his love for the world through his daughter, my friend Delia. My prayers and blessings are with you at this time.
Dan Moore
June 14, 2014
Thank you Mike for your big, loving hugs. Thank you for the trips to the wilderness, and for inspiring me time and time again. You made a huge impact on my life. And will continue to do so.
June 14, 2014
Mike-I know that you are on your best hike ever-thank you for all that you have done and for your inspiration
Love, Liza
Shianme Bruegger
June 14, 2014
He was a sweet man. Sorry I didn't get to know him better. My condolances to Delia & Matt and the rest of the family
Linda Finlay
June 14, 2014
I remember Mike singing to a little boy who was dying, and whenever Mike sang, Peter's heartbeat would steady up. Mike did that for so many people - steadied our hearts. Mike did not walk alone. Love to Ruth and Matt and Delia and all the others whom Mike loved.
June 13, 2014
How blessed is the world to have known Mike. Our love goes to Mike, Ruth, Delia, Matt and the extended family. You inspire and give hope. Much love, Bob and Gerri Haynes
Steve Richmond
June 13, 2014
I have nothing but warm memories about Mike, particularly our hikes: the "Lost Lake" scramble and Yellow Aster Butte in the North Cascades. Transporting the Yarrow's portable cabin deep into the woods was such an adventure. I so appreciated his mentorship and encouragement. Mike sure lived life.
Such hiking companions!
Steve Richmond
June 13, 2014
Top of Yellow Aster Butte approx 2002
Steve Richmond
June 13, 2014
Karen Kirkwood
June 13, 2014
Ruth and family, what a loss--for you and the world. Mike made it a better place, and he was a joy to be near. I will always be grateful for his influence in helping to shape my youngest daughter's (Patti, aka Newt) drive for peace and justice. Bless you,
Bob Edgerton
June 13, 2014
Mike's leadership in WWFOR and the creation of SNOW (Sound Nonviolent Opposition to War) was very inspiring to me and instrumental in waking me up from my activist slumber.
June 13, 2014
Mike was a rarity-a really good man with a huge heart who spent most of his life trying to make the lives of others better. I was honored to have known him and to call him a friend. Jo and I will really miss him. Love, Barb Overcash
June 13, 2014
You were a rarity- a really good man with a good heart who spent most of his life trying to impove the lives of others. The world was a better place with you in it and I am honored to have known you. Jo and I will miss you so much! Barb Overcash
Dinner at Chutney's, 2013
Karen Jones
June 13, 2014
Dear Ruth,
Mike has been an amazing light and inspiration to all of us, not only as a dedicated peace activist; but as an amazingly warm,generous with such genuine humor and kindness. You and Mike have been such a wonderful team. I believe these memories will give you strength as you move through the next few months. Wishing you the joy of these memories, knowing you have the love and support of your dear family and friends.
June 13, 2014
Memorial JUNE or JULY 19th? Someone please confirm.
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