Michael Blackford

Michael E. Blackford

September 22, 1939 - October 22, 2014

Mike Blackford passed away in Magdeburg, Germany while traveling with his wife in Europe, trying to meet their goal of visiting every country in the world. His death, due to pancreatic cancer, was unexpected and occurred while pursuing his favorite pastime, traveling to exotic places and meeting interesting people. Mike was dearly loved by his family and passed away surrounded by as many as could be there under difficult circumstances.

Mike was born in South Bend, Indiana. His family relocated to San Francisco when he was young. He attended Riordan High School and Cal, receiving a degree in Geophysics. Mike moved his family around the country to many states including, California, Alaska, New Jersey, Maryland, and Hawaii. He worked for various government agencies as a Seismologist and Tsunami expert. He was renowned in his field and traveled around the world from Russia to Indonesia and beyond, attending conferences, continuously learning and staying up to date in his field of work, even after retirement.

Mike's love of travel began with camping trips all over California and Nevada. If there was an unpaved road, Mike found it, accompanied by his wife and children, anyone else he could talk into going, and always faithful traveling companions, Bev and Walt Sykes.

Mike volunteered extensively after retirement. He worked with young people at locations all over the Bay Area, sharing his love of science and the environment. He could, and did, go on for hours on the wonders of the Foucault Pendulum. With his white beard, he was recruited to play Santa at Forest Home Farms for several years. He also enjoyed his service to various Catholic churches, including St Joan of Arc in San Ramon, the city where he lived with his wife, close to the homes of his daughters. He helped his children with many duties including pet sitting, driving the float in the Homecoming parade, and just being there when they needed him. He was forever a Cal fan, a Cal Band member until the end. He attended almost every football and basketball game, cheering on his teams, in good times and bad. Go Bears!

Mike is survived by his wife, Charlotte, his children, Tavie Knapp (Steve), Dana Chavarria (Stan), Jenny Jensen (Dave), Tim Blackford (Juliet) and Cameron Blackford (Evelyn), 9 grandchildren, Sinjin and Hunter Knapp, Kimberly, Cody and Casey Chavarria, Jamie and Haley Jensen and Katie and Jonathan Blackford. He is also survived by his older brother, Patrick Blackford of Santa Clara, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mike loved genealogy and traveled extensively to research branches of his extended family. He has friends and relatives all over the world with whom he kept in contact and treasured. He will be missed by many, especially his closest group of friends dating from the Cal days, fondly known as the Piñata People (you know who you are, thank you for being such a big part of Mike's life).

Services will be held at St Joan of Arc Catholic Church in San Ramon on Saturday, December 27, at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Mike's name to California Academy of Sciences, Chabot Science Center, Forest Home Farms, Hidden Villa, St. Joan of Arc or Cal Band.