Michael Prichard

Michael Prichard passed away March 13, 2025 in Fairbanks, Alaska where he had been living near his son and daughter in-law following an extended illness. For much of his life, he lived in the Highland Park neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota but moved to St. Croix Falls, Mike attended University High School in Minneapolis. He graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor's degree in Economics in 1958. He received a Masters of Arts in Economics from the University of Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Law in 1965, where he served on the Student Editorial Board from 1963 to 1965.
Prior to law school, Mike worked as a banker for three years with Citibank in New York City and its branches in Caracas, Venezuela. He was fluent in Spanish and had a special interest in Latin America. Mike was a leading attorney in the area of international business and general corporate matters. He retired from Dorsey & Whitney in 2002 after being a partner for 30 years.
He was a voracious reader and loved history. Mike volunteered at the St. Croix Falls Historical Society, the Taylor's Falls Historical Society, and the Polk County Historical Society. He served multiple terms on the Polk County Board of Supervisors during retirement. He had an exceptional memory for dates, people, and places and spent many hours sharing his vast knowledge about the St. Croix River area, where he spent many memorable times during his childhood. His love for the St. Croix River continued throughout his life and he fondly remembered many canoe trips on the river with his children. He also enjoyed traveling, including annual bike trips through different parts of Europe. He walked every day on local trails and enjoyed cross country skiing and camping. He was active in the St. Croix Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and the First Presbyterian Church of St. Croix Falls.
Mike had a lifelong love of nature and volunteered for multiple conservation organizations, including the Ice Age Trail Alliance, the St. Croix River Association, and the Minnesota Parks and Trails Council, where he served as President from 1991 to 1994 and was the Reuel Harmon Awardee in 2006. During his time on the Parks and Trails Council, he worked on several high-profile projects, including helping to purchase the critical land that enabled the creation of the Grand Portage State Park on the extreme eastern tip of Minnesota's Arrowhead region. He wanted to be remembered as a person with a fervent love of nature, who sought to preserve natural areas for future generations to enjoy as he had.
Throughout his life, Mike was devoted to nurturing strong, lasting friendships and spending quality time with his family. He valued his long-term friends, with whom he shared countless memories and experiences, and worked tirelessly to maintain these relationships. Above all, he was especially devoted to his four grandchildren, Sophie, Marley, Elena, and Avery, and loved sharing stories and experiences with them. He treasured every moment spent with his family, whether it was during family gatherings or on adventures exploring the outdoors together.
He is survived by his son Alex Prichard, stepchildren Courtney Redmond, Kelly Payton, and Keith Payton, daughters-in-law Christine Prichard and Angela Larson, grandchildren Sophie, Marley, Elena, and Avery Prichard. He was preceded in death by his son Michael, daughter Elizabeth (Becky), brother Barry Prichard, former wife Lyne Prichard, and parents Charles and Dorothy (Dowling) Prichard. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota, the Ice Age Alliance, or Friends of Crex Meadows.
Graveside services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025 at the St. Croix Falls Cemetery in St. Croix Falls. A memorial service for Michael will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church (719 Nevada Street) St. Croix Falls, WI 54024. Following the ceremony, a gathering will be hosted at the church, providing an opportunity for friends and family to come together in remembrance.