Michael James Iseman

1950 - 2023

MICHAEL JAMES ISEMAN

May 24, 1950 September 16, 2023

Bakersfield Shortly after midnight, September 16, 2023, Michael left this life after a 3 1/2 year battle with lung cancer. Michael fought to the very end, not letting his zest for living or his affection for family and friends be extinguished.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, Mike moved to the Los Angeles Basin area in California with his parents Doris Iseman (later Hopkins), and William Iseman. He spent 13-years living an idyllic childhood surrounded by family and friends. During this period a change in Michael's family dynamics, his mother divorced and remarried, and his sister Angela, 8-years his junior, was born. In 1963, the family moved to Twin Oaks in Kern County where the demands of life on a small ranch required new skills and outlook.

Michael graduated from Foothill High School, Bakersfield, in 1968. At the time, riding the bus from Twin Oaks to Bakersfield meant participating in school activities was next to impossible until he was old enough to drive in his junior year. His social life and ability to participate in high school sports programs gained momentum in his Junior and Senior years at Foothill, a welcome change for this gregarious and active young man.

Michael reconnected with his father, Bill Iseman, his senior year of high school and subsequently moved back to southern California to be closer to and work with his father. In 1970, Michael, enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he spent 4-years, ending his military service in 1974 as an engineer on the USS Leonard F Mason during the Vietnam conflict.

Returning home to Kern County, Michael joined the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 460 and worked as a pipefitter until his retirement in 2005. His work enabled him to travel throughout the United States working on Union jobs using his skills on a wide variety of projects.

Michael had always maintained his physical fitness. He engaged in such activities as wind surfing in Baja, Kernville, Maui, and the Columbia River Gorge; his interests included kayaking, fly fishing, rock climbing, and riding dirt motorcycles with friends. He cycled with local groups and participated in 100-mile rides when possible. Michael eventually became an avid hiker and backpacker, often traveling with fellow hikers to the Sierras and beyond.

In recent years, Michael developed an interest and skill in photography, especially of birds. He followed the Sandhill Cranes from Pixley to Nebraska, to New Mexico and took a more recent trip to Costa Rica with Audubon to this end.

While in Bakersfield, Michael could be found walking at either Panorama Bluffs, Hart Park or Lake Ming accompanied by his best friend, Maria and his much-loved Border Collie companion, Jackie. Michael's sense of humor, love of film, reading non-fiction, history, art and music endeared him to his many friends and family. He will be remembered affectionately for his devotion to his mom, Doris Hopkins.

Michael is survived by son, Tristram Farrow, his sister, Angela Dahms, nephews Ryan and Steven Dahms, niece Sarah Dahms, cousins Kathy Graves, Walter Betts, Jeff Wood, Kasey Graves, and many friends with whom he shared his life, adventures and experiences.

Special thanks to Dr. Ravi Patel, Susanna Bell, PA, and all of the CBCC and Dignity Health Infusion Center staff for their professional and compassionate care extended to Michael, his family, and dear friends during this, sometimes, challenging journey.

Thank you to the Hoffmann Hospice nurses Melissa and Trish, and all of the other Hoffmann Hospice staff whose caring and compassionate natures brought Michael and his family tranquility and a peaceful closing of a well lived life. We will miss you, Michael.

Services will be at the Bakersfield National Cemetery, Bear Mountain Blvd, October 6, 2023, 9:15 A.M.

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