Michael Thomas Manderscheid

Michael (Mike) Thomas Manderscheid, age 81, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away peacefully January 29, 2026 at Baptist Beaches Medical Center in Jacksonville.

Mike was born September 11, 1944, in Evanston, Illinois, to John and Helen Manderscheid. He is survived by his loving wife or 49 years, Denise, his older brother John (Jack), his son Michael and daughter-in-law Cindy, his daughter Leanne (Nikki) and son-in-law Kevin, and grandchildren KJ, Allie and Joseph, along with many other family members and friends who will miss him

greatly.

After graduating from the American Community School in Beirut, Lebanon, he completed his undergraduate education in Physics at the University of Western Australia. He then obtained his MS in Physics at UCLA. He worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, before starting a long career as a Systems Analyst with Aramco in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. He also spent 12 years as a consultant with PA Consulting Group in London, England. Mike has been to nearly 100 countries and worked in many of them.

While in Australia, Mike developed a love for water sports and became an avid surfer, proficient diver and wind surfer. Additionally he was an amazing swimmer which was put to the test when he had to swim great distance to rescue his son who was drifting far from shore while learning to wind surf. He was also always available to tow his daughter along on his

windsurfing rids. His kids loved seeing him and hearing about and participating in his adventures when ever possible including living in Saudi Arabia for a few years. Mostly his kids enjoyed just hanging out with him in Jacksonville, Florida. Or with him at his parents' home in Sarasota, Florida. Mike loved spending time with his wife, Denise. They enjoyed. Going on cruises to see both new and familiar places including the Panama Canal and up the Amazon River., among many other destinations. Their favorite activities included travelling spending time together at the gym, at home or at the beach.

In lieu of a land based memorial service, his ashes will be spread over the Atlantic Ocean in an offshore ceremony.