Michael Norman Teutschel

1945 - 2024

Michael Norman Teutschel, age 78, of Aptos, California, passed away peacefully late Monday night, October 14, 2024.

Mike was born on November 24, 1945, in Oakland, California. He was the eldest of the four children of Lois and Albert Teutschel, and the grandson of Frank "Gramps" and Babe Lallement, whom he revered. He was raised in the Sunset District of San Francisco, and was a proud graduate of St. Anne's School, St. Ignatius High School and San Francisco State University.

Mike was loved by so many and his hugs, his trademark "Mike-isms", wit, calm leadership, wisdom, and generosity will be greatly missed. Those who knew Mike will remember him as a true gentleman, for his excellent judgement, and invaluable ability to see all issues clearly. He was a skilled communicator and negotiator, a peacemaker, and a clear thinker. He was a go-to person for advice and input. And he did all this with a great sense of humor.

Mike was a talented accountant, auditor, tax professional, and consultant. He provided expert witness services to support damage assessments and analysis. Mike's over 50-year career as a CPA encompassed working at notable accounting firms in the Bay Area including Arthur Anderson, Harb, Levy and Weiland, Elwood Espina Ferrell, Burr Pilger Mayer, and TNT, Inc. Certified Public Accountants, a full-service accounting firm he started with his wife Rebecca. Mike had a rare talent for attracting and keeping his clients for decades. The majority of his clients stayed loyal to him and he to them. His professional experience and dedication to the successful resolution of difficult and complicated financial matters made him a truly consummate trusted advisor.

Outside of Mike's accounting career, he was an outstanding community member supporting causes he believed in and serving on boards both volunteer and elected. He was a proud and dedicated member of the Palo Alto University Rotary Club (PAUR) where he served as President (2017-2018), Treasurer, and Membership Chair. During his tenure at PAUR, he focused on recruiting new members, supporting the group's community service leadership, and raising funds for projects including the international effort to end polio. Mike also served as a longtime board member of Mission Hospice and Home Care where he received the prestigious Lotus Award in 2017.

Mike raised his two daughters, Laura and Anne, in San Carlos with his first wife, Linda, and recognized the importance of community involvement in building a strong foundation for them. He was a devoted father, exemplified by his years coaching softball, serving 12 years as an elected school board member, and helping found both the San Carlos Education Foundation and the San Carlos Charter Learning Center. He instilled in his girls a strong sense of competition, and his mentorship extended to many others in the community fostering teamwork, confidence, and perseverance.

Mike played sports of all kinds throughout his youth, with baseball and football being his favorites. He was a fan of professional sports from football (Oakland Raiders and The Fighting Irish), basketball (Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics), baseball (Oakland A's), soccer, college softball and the WNBA (he was a big fan of Caitlin Clark).

In 2003, Mike married his soulmate and best friend Rebecca. They honeymooned in Australia and made their home in Emerald Hills, California where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends. Their union created their blended family of Mike's two daughters Laura and Anne and Rebecca's two daughters Camilla and Elizabeth. Mike was an avid griller and consummate host. He loved the sunsets and summer evening skies sitting out on the deck overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Mike enjoyed traveling and shared a number of epic trips with Rebecca, including to Mexico, many of the Caribbean islands, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Greece, Libya, and Tunisia. Several of these trips were offered through Stanford University's educational travel program as part of the Rotary Club's fundraising auctions. Mike considered the Libya trip to be one of the most memorable.

Capitola, Aptos, and Santa Cruz were especially dear to Mike. The Teutschel family spent many summers in the "Little House", a small, two room cabin sitting atop Capitola's Jewel Box where the family would gather for summer festivities, beach days, and strolling the Village esplanade.

After moving to Aptos in 2020, you could find Mike at the beach, watching the birds, the passing dolphins, grandchildren playing in the sand, and, if he was lucky, the occasional whale. Mike enjoyed many relaxing walks with Rebecca and their dog Angel along the path from Rio del Mar, past the Cement Ship, down to "The Hand" and back. As Mike grew less able to navigate the distance, he enjoyed watching the sea from his car, sipping his morning coffee and nibbling on his favorite cinnamon roll with Angel in the back.

Mike was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a godfather, a friend, and a mentor. His playlist included Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and anything from the 50's oldies collection. Recently, he became a fan of the guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela. He loved to play Scrabble and, annoyingly, usually won. He made and kept friendships from his earliest childhood through his retirement years. Some of whom have left this earth before him, but they were always near and dear to his heart.

Mike is preceded in death by his younger brother Patrick. He is survived by his wife Rebecca; his daughters Laura, Anne (Jeff Kreisler), Camilla Simon (Jack Singal), and Elizabeth Simon; grandchildren Scott, Sarah, Michelle, and Calista; brother Tim, sister Colleen Seward (Dan), sister-in-law Dolores; and his beloved nieces and nephews Nicole, Olivia (Anthony Bozzano), Jon-Paul (Christina Che), Belle and Emmett, along with many dear cousins.

"Family is everything." – Mike Teutschel, October 10, 2024

A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at The Resurrection Catholic Church at 11 a.m.; 7600 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA 95003 with a reception to follow. Details given at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Milo Foundation of Pt. Richmond, CA or Mission Hospice and Home Care, San Mateo, CA.