Michael T. O'Brien

I am so sad to see Mike's name in the obituary section of our company's newsletter. Not only did Mike and I work together in the same department, but we also hung out outside of work - sharing hobbies such as Geocaching and Skill-Gimmick Car Rallyes. I added a photo of Mike with Steve Margolis and our amazing boss at Aerospace, Ric Cowan. This was from a work picnic almost 36 years ago to the day. If permitted (even if I'm not ;-) ), I'd like to offer one small addition to Mike's obituary. When he talked about his love of Yellowstone, he called his group the "Geezer Geyser Gazer" group! I hadn't seen Mike in a while, but I thought of him just last week while I was driving through Venice.

I first got to know Mike because of this t-shirt. I was a neophyte Unix user in about 1976, trying to learn everything as quickly as I could. Part of that process was subscribing to ";login:", the semi-regular newsletter (yes, a paper newsletter) of the Unix User's Group.

In one issue, Mike announced the existence and availability of a t-shirt with this design. I sent him a letter and a check and it was the start of an intermittent but long-lasting correspondence.

This design is the first of many similar designs with pipes and devil-daemons ... but this is the first, and it's a product of Mike's fertile imagination and sense of humor, and Phil Foglio's artistry.

A decade or so later, we overlapped for a time at CSNET (I was at Purdue and he was at BBN). He also introduced me to Mazewar on the Xerox workstations - that's a completely different story - and tried to recruit me to RAND when I finished my Ph.D.

But most importantly, he inspired me to visit Yellowstone in winter. For that, I am extremely grateful.

Wow. I am ashamed to say that I was not aware of even 1/3 of his brilliance ! I mean, there was an obvious intellectualism. He taught `the Irish´, fergodsake ! And of course his knowledge of all things tech . Jennifer would tell tales of their adventures, `Geocaching´ (Geo what ?), in foreign lands... they became my own Indianna Jones/ Star Wars/ Scotland connection

And he freely shared his encyclopedic (or wait, he wrote the Encyclopedia ?) computer knowledge, with all comers at "Repair Cafe´ .

But his unassuming humor, and easy, "up for anything" good nature was the 1st ting one observed about him... As I did, on what I think was the first time we met... when Jenn and he braved LA Marathon Traffic, closed streets, & parking, to meet up for an event at Barnsdall.. which was canceled. Due to the LA Marathon... Yet he (& Jennifer) was generous enough, (& not angry with the person who shouldve checked this), to sit on a low wall outside the empty, locked complex, on a Sunday am, and have a relaxed & entertaining conversation. Before setting out on the return trip

I shared a ride, one year, which he had offered to drive, up the Angeles Crest for a TOTH camp out. The steep winding road was an adventure in itself.... which he good naturedly let Jenn & I subtley vie for the seat least likely to require use of a paper bag...

Among the many people and places he touched, I am sure his presence will always be felt, especially, at The Celtic Arts Center. Yet the Limerick Writing contest suffers a great loss ! (Insert a heartfelt Irish wish, .the only bit of which I can think of,.. May the road rise up to meet you....)

Such a jovial genius. Mike, you are greatly missed. We never had our conversation about the quantum internet, it will have to wait. May you be resting in joyous peace and may it be glorious.

I am so glad that I got a chance to meet Mike; I am sorry that I did not get a chance to know him better. I am so sorry for your loss Jennifer. Mary and my thoughts are with you.

Mark Freeman

Having known Mike since my early days at Aerospace, perhaps now a span of some 24 years, I have so many stories where he features prominently. Innumerable times, he'd reduce me to spitting out my afternoon Diet Coke with a well-placed pun or witticism. Other times, we'd end the afternoon a little early and go shop for camera gear, then head for dinner.

By golly, did he like Chinese food, except for the Chinese food in Hong Kong! Turns out, restaurants here don't use so much seafood flavoring due to price, and Mike never did like seafood; when faced with the actual deal, it was unpalatable.

Also memorable was the other international trip I took with him, this one to Osaka for his birthday. His love for Japanese culture and Shintoism was apparent. I wish I had a photo of him climbing up the steps at Fushimi Inari Taisha. Despite the inclement weather common to typhoon season, he managed to navigate (without GPS!) the underground city in Osaka to get to the Yodobashi store to shop for watches! He was always so handy with navigation.

He really was a bright spot in my professional and personal life. Farewell, Mike, on your new journey. 'Til we meet again one day.

MIke's enthusiasm for the world, captured so well in his obituary, make him a rare and wonderful man. It enriched my life to have known him, and I am sad that he has passed on. I have no doubt that Anubis will find Mike's heart far lighter than the feather, and we'll be seeing him in the Hall of Maat (should we pass the test as well).

There are too many stories of Mike O to mention. He was such a distinct human and delight. I remember watching and discussing the movie "The Mummy" and Mike telling my sister, Jennie, and I, "It's a better movie if you understand early Egyptian." I thought it was a joke until understanding the breadth and depth of his interests. The world is a poorer place without him.

Bon voyage Mike! I wish you could take pictures of the journey and send them back to Jen, but you're in good hands now - and no doubt your endless passions & curiosities will be titellated. Cheers to your journey into the after life.