Michael P. "Mickey" Noonan

It saddens me greatly to learn of Mickey's untimely passing. Returning to graduate school late in life, I was grateful to have him as my graduate adviser as well as instructor for the majority of my classes in 2006-08. Easy to smile, and ready to help, despite being obviously overworked in a struggling English Dept, Mickey honored me with his intellect, his honesty, and his quickness to smile. He radiated affection for language and those who studied it. My condolences to his family and...

Mickey came to this World with empty hands.
And he went back to the World of Peace with empty hands.
We can’t see him again but his memories will be in our minds.
My wish to learn from him will never be fulfilled
As I missed him, too.
Wishing for the Eternal Peace of departed soul of Great Mickey,
I wish Sally to have Courage and Strength to bear the difficulties
for the voids that were left by Mickey’s death.

Thinking with Sympathy,
Manandhar Family

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Mickey Noonan was not just a former professor of mine, but a friend who maintained contact with me for over 30 years. He still shared his knowledge and enthusiasm for language and linguistics all this time with me although I left the field many years ago. But above all, he was a wonderful man with a loving heart that always showed interest, care, and concern for all the events in my life. I miss him and will cherish his memory forever.

I was very fortunate to work as a native informant of Newari Language (Banepa dialect) that he offered at UWM in 1995. He was not just a great methodical researcher but equally a great human being always ready to help people in need. His love towards the people living in remote villages on the lap of the Himalayas was always unconditional. He along with his research students had visited my family in Banepa, Nepal about 13 years ago. We all were deeply saddened by the news of untimely...

Although I did not know Dr. Noonan well, I took three of his classes as an undergrad at UWM. He was an extraordinary, gifted professor, one of the best I've ever had, and a kind presence on campus. I continued to cross paths with him on campus where I now teach as a lecturer. He always had a warm smile and friendly greeting. A few times I emailed him with academic questions and he always responded promptly and thoughtfully. It is a mark of his character that he would take the time for...

I was deeply moved when I heard about Mickey's sudden death. He was here in Giessen, Germany several times and worked as a visiting professor. My wife Ingrid and I have fond memories of the time we spent with him and Sally in their house. We sincerely feel with Sally.

Mickey was a man whom I deeply admired-- not only for his his extraordinary scholarly achievements, but also for his ready smile, his charming demeanor, and his great good sense. Wish I'd gotten to know him better when I was teaching for the English Dept., but I was well enough acquainted with him to know that he will be much missed. My deepest sympathies go out to his family.

A former student of Mickey's, I've been out of Milwaukee for five years now. In that time, I've never forgotten the genuine kindness and enthusiasm he showed for both his subject matter and his students. I loved linguistics and just recently was thinking about Mickey and how I missed studying with him.

Even though I haven't seen him for 5 years - I will miss knowing he is here. And I will be sure to carry what I learned from him forward whatever I do in my life.