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Michael Koenig Obituary
A memorial service is being planned at Johns Hopkins for a future date. A Michael Koenig Memorial Grant Program is being established. Memorial contributions may be sent to The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Attention: Ricky Fine, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205. Arrangements by Peaceful Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Center, P.A.
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Memories and Condolences
for Michael Koenig
David Rosmarin
June 1, 2024
I am at the Colgate celebrating our 50th reunion and thinking about my good friend from Ishpeming. We spent many good and useless hours in labs. We sat together for the MCAT, and Michael asked me after the English section whether was a subsection of antonyms, which there had been and which he answered with synonyms. As I read his about his science and his gifts to humanity,
I grateful for his inspiration and our too brief friendship.
David Rosmarin
Satyajeet Nanda
October 16, 2009
Extremely sorry to get a email back from Prof. Koenig's office that he is not in this living world. I continued to have the memory of my being a prospective postdoc student with him for last 10 years. I remember the day I was still a PhD student at IIPS Mumbai India when I had written to Prof. WH Mosley and he forwarded my message to Prof. Koenig with request to take me and promptly Mickel contacted me. Somehow things could not click because of official formalities.
Now even if he is not there, I am still convinced that I will be blessed with his guidance from the other world where his soul lives in peace.
Nafissatou Diop
May 7, 2009
I just learn about the passing of Dr Koenig and I am very sad. I had the privilege to have Dr Koenig as a member of my PhD defense committee at Johns Hopkins. He was a very caring person, always willing to take time from his busy schedule to give you a great advice or to just chat with you.
To Mrs. Koenig and family, I hope time will slowly help you replace your sorrow by wonderful memories of this fine person who was Michael Koenig. May he rest in peace. He will be greatly missed.
Karin Ringheim
March 23, 2009
Dear Gillian,
I just learned of Michael's death and am so sad to hear of it. I didn't know Michael well and last saw him perhaps three years ago when I gave a guest lecture in his reproductive health class. We talked in his office before and after class and he spoke proudly about you and your children, and modestly about his research interests and accomplishments. This must be a devastating loss for all of you. I only hope you are embraced and comforted by caring friends and family, and by many happy and sweet memories of your lives together.
With sincere sympathy,
Eva Bazant, DrPH, MPH
February 27, 2009
It was such a privilege to have been a doctoral advisee of Dr. Michael Koenig –in fact, I was his last. I appreciate Michael’s advising and mentoring over several years. I am so glad he helped arrange a dissertation opportunity in Kenya for me and advise me until I finished. His commitment to conducting research on vulnerable populations in developing countries, for example, women victims of domestic violence and women with gynecological morbidity, always impressed me. I feel fortunate to have been able to learn from his long field and research experience in South Asia and at JHSPH. Also I’ll remember him as a kind, soft-spoken person. After every meeting with him, it struck me how generous he was with his time and how astute were his comments. He is greatly missed.
Hillary Wohl
February 23, 2009
Gillian, Matthew, and Leah,
Words cannot express how deeply saddened I was to learn that Michael had passed away. I truly know what a wonderful husband and father Michael was. He was rare among men in his knowledge wisdon, care, and compassion for others. I miss him very much and my heart and thoughts go out to you all every day.
Love, Hillary
Sekhar Bonu
February 10, 2009
Just around the time I and my wife Manju joined Hopkins as doctoral students, Prof. Koenig joined Hopkins' faculty (1998). It was amazing how he quickly switched from operations to exacting standards of research and teaching at Hopkins. Manju was one of his first doctoral students. For Manju, the loss has been deep and irreplaceable. Prof. Koenig's virtues and commitment for excellence in research and expanding the frontiers of science will be his ever lasting legacy that will continue to guide and inspire all his students.
Manju Rani
February 10, 2009
I arrived almost at the same time as Mike from India to Hopkins in 1998 and priviledged to have shared five wonderful years with him as his first Ph.D. advisee. He mentored me into a better public health researcher. His memories from small to big--from his delivering news of my successful thesis defense to pondering over different data table several times challenging me to do more--will always live with me and many others around the world, guidng us to be better public helath practitioners. My prayers are with his family..
Alfredo Fort
February 9, 2009
I met Mike during my transition out of the WHO Expert Panel on Social Science Research on Reproductive Health. Mike had a special passion for teaching and advancing the field, especially at the community level. I was always impressed at his solid knowledge coupled with a simple aura and cheerfulness around him. I'm fortunate to have met him and I am sure young researchers in the developing world whom he helped fine-tune their research proposals will be most appreciative of his dedicated guidance.
PAUL VAHAMAA
February 5, 2009
BEING A HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATE OF MIKE'S ,I ONLY NEW HIM A SHORT WHILE.YET MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY.
Britta Mullany
February 3, 2009
I'm so sorry for the loss of Mike, and my heart goes out to his family and loved ones. I feel honored to have learned from him and worked with him during my time at JHSPH. He was truly a kind soul, and his conscientious commitment to improving the lives of women and children around the world was, and always will be, so admired.
Dave Nelson
February 3, 2009
I also would like to extend my sympathies to the Koenig family.
As with Susan Jenkin and my brother, Steve, we grew up within a rock's throw, and have known Mike and his family since we were probably 10 yrs old.
We played together as children, and went all through school together.
We haven't seen much of each other since, as Mike's career led him far away from Ishpeming, MI, but the strong memories of our neighborhood "crew" has always remained an integral part of my lifelong recollections.
Mai Do
February 3, 2009
I was fortunate and honored to be Mike's student for four years at JHU. He remained a mentor for years after that and had shared with me his wisdom until just days before his death. He will be deeply missed. Yet, his legacy will leave on in many of us in many parts of the world and make us better researchers, advisors, and better persons.
My deepest condolences to Gillian, Matthew, Leah, and the rest of the family.
February 3, 2009
Mike and his twin brother Steve were two of our oldest friends through high school. I am a twin as well and we grew up across the street. Our paths crossed only a few times since then, but a visit to the faculty website has a very nice picture of Mike…..just like I remember him. I believe one’s mark in life is achieved through their impact on others. It’s quite obvious, reading below, that Mike was highly regarded, both personally and professionally. Our deepest sympathies to his family.
Steve Nelson
Irwin Dubinsky
February 2, 2009
I am saddened to have learned of Michael's passing. To say that he was gifted would only begin to describe his God given talents and abilities. Due to our age differences, I was unfortunately unable to have met him. However,after reading about him, his memory will now live on in my thoughts forever. love, irwin
Lisa Beauvois
February 2, 2009
Our deepest sympathies go out to Gillian, Leah, Matthew and the rest of the Michael's family. We enjoyed Michael's company so much over the past years, and we were so grateful to be able get to know his wonderful family. He is already greatly missed.
Lisa, Arthur and Ella
Jessica Gipson
February 2, 2009
As a student and colleague of Michael for several years, I was privileged to work with him, and to be inspired by him. His ability to ‘keep one foot in the field’ - bringing real-life reproductive health concerns to the classroom and research agenda, and methodological rigor to the field - was one of the skills I most admired in Michael as a researcher. On a personal level, I will forever remember Michael for his deep compassion for and thirst to combat health issues afflicting women and families, his ability to engage and nurture junior colleagues, and the far-reaching network of colleagues and friends he cultivated throughout the world. My deepest condolences and thoughts go out to Michael’s family. I hope it brings you a bit of comfort to know that his influence and inspiration will live on in many of us.
Rachel Haws
February 2, 2009
I had the honor of having Dr. Koenig as a professor (indeed, without his class I might never have written my PhD proposal), and as a member of my exam committee. He was a gifted scholar, but more importantly, he had a warmth and gentleness that many professors lack. He will be dearly missed.
Paige Johnson
February 2, 2009
I, too, only knew Dr. Koenig through his works, but it is such a great loss to the profession. As a student, his work in maternal health influenced me while working on my MPH. My heart and prayers go out to his family.
Batya Elul
February 2, 2009
My deepest sympathies to the Koenig family. Mike was my dissertation advisor, and a great supporter of my work on abortion in India. He seamlessly combined methodological rigor with a deep understanding of the on the ground realities and priorities. I am sorry other students won't be able to benefit from this. Batya
Nan Astone
February 2, 2009
Mike will live on in the memories of his colleagues and students. My heart goes out to his family.
Holly Treadwell
February 2, 2009
I'm so glad to have been able to work with Dr. Koenig and get to know him over the years. He will truly be missed.
Michael Klag Dean, The Bloomberg School of Pubic Health
February 1, 2009
Mike was a valued and loved member of our faculty. His work had a huge impact on everyone he touched, as well as the health of populations. He was a rare person who succeeded both in practice and in academia. He loves a huge hole in our school.
Our hearts go out to his family and many friends. Our sincere condolences.
Mike Klag
David Bishai
February 1, 2009
What a great privilege it was to have known Mike as a colleague and friend. He brought passion to his work and a great insight into getting things done in the field. His contributions to our understanding of child wantedness, methods of achieving health equity, and the epidemiology of domestic violence will remain landmarks in public health.
His death leaves a tremendous hole. But what he accomplished and the joy he brought to my life makes me so glad that I was around when he was.
Jacquelyn Campbell
February 1, 2009
I cherished my friendship with Michael as a brilliant, insightful scholar and as a caring, ethical human being. He has left a wonderful legacy of important scholarship and students and mentees nurtured and facilitated by his guidance to carry on his work. My deepest sympathies to his family - we will all miss him but yours is the greatest loss.
Jackie Campbell, JHU School of Nursing
Kaliprasad Pappu
February 1, 2009
Mike has been a friend and mentor to me during my year at Hopkins. I shall be ever indebted to him for introducing me to Hopkins and The Gates Institute of Population and Reproductive Health. He is one who understood the pulse of Indian people specially when it concerned Health and Development.
My heartfelt condolences to his family. I pray to God that He gives Gillian, Matthew and Leah the strength to cope with this tremendous personal loss.
Yvonne Bronner
January 31, 2009
Though I only knew Dr Koenig professionally through the tremendous contribution of his work, I wish to express my sympathy to the family and wish you well in the future.
Susan Jenkin
January 31, 2009
I grew up with Michael. He lived four doors down from me in Ishpeming, Michigan. Although we went our separate ways, I do know that Michael made a difference in the world, which is what life is all about. My sympathies to his family including the one from Mather Avenue
Amy Tsui
January 31, 2009
While Mike's departure leaves us all grief-stricken, Mike has left us a legacy in all the scholars he's trained and worked with in all parts of the world. Their continued work in areas he cared about will assure he is present with us always.
Stacy Weibley
January 31, 2009
I feel honored to have crossed paths with Dr. Koenig during my time at Hopkins. He was a wonderful man with a very kind spirit.
Anna Christensen
January 31, 2009
Dr Koenig was a dedicated and thoughful professor and mentor. As students we were lucky to learn from him.
Jennifer Wagman
January 31, 2009
My deepest sympathies go to your family, especially Gillian, Matthew, and Leah. Your husband/dad always glowed when he spoke of you. He was a caring and generous professor and mentor and provided much inspiration to students and colleagues alike. He will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace.
Chelsea Polis
January 31, 2009
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Michael's family and friends. I was so saddened to hear of his passing, but I am so thankful that I had the chance to work closely with him over the last few years. His dedication to his work was inspiring, and he was beloved by students and mentees for his patience, warmth, and willingness to engage us and guide us through some of the most difficult aspects of our programs. He will be very sorely missed, but very fondly remembered.
Kristin Mmari
January 31, 2009
Michael was a wonderful friend, colleague, and mentor to me. He will be greatly missed. Most importantly, he opened the doors so that my husband and I could get to know the wonderful family that he has left behind. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Stella Babalola
January 30, 2009
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
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