Michael Peter Chrismer, 84, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho on Monday, July 29, 2024.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 4, 1940, Mike grew up in Bel Air, Maryland, the oldest of Wayde and Catherine Chrismer's six children. His siblings meant the world to him, and he loved being their big brother. After attending St. Margaret's School and graduating from Bel Air High School, Mike attended Mount St Mary's College, now University, in Emmitsburg, MD. Before graduating in 1962, he was editor in chief of the college's newspaper The Mountain Echo

1960-1962, having previously been Sports Editor. While at the Mount he was one of the basketball team's biggest fans. He may or may not have been involved in stealing the bell from rival Towson University after a big win. He never stopped being proud of the Mount's 1962 NCAA National Championship. Surely, his biggest disappointment was that none of his children or grandchildren would attend the Mount.

His time spent in Emmitsburg also rewarded him with meeting the love of his life and wife of 61 years, Catherine "Kitty" Dignan, a student at nearby St. Joseph's College. Despite his car getting banned from campus for having beer in it, Kitty claimed him as the "best that was available." Married in 1963, they lived for over 40 years in Howard County Maryland, where they raised three daughters, Sue (Sean) Mangan, Diane (Curtis) Patton and Karen "Dig" Chrismer.

Mike taught at Bel Air High from 1962-1964 and then went on to work with Kitty's father at Dignan Trucking. He embodied everything good about a salesman. He was gregarious and thoughtful and once he knew you, he never let you go. During the Dignan Trucking years, Mike was the President of the Maryland Motor Truck Association, the Maryland State Vice President of the American Trucking Association and served on the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield boards. He also served as member and President of the Archbishop Keough High School Board.

He and Kitty were long time members of Turf Valley Country Club and were founding members of Cattail Creek Country Club in Glenwood, Maryland. Mike treasured the friends that they made through golf. He was also the informal mayor of the beach at 94th Street in Ocean City, Maryland, as he and Kitty had a unit in the Flying Cloud Condominium for over 25 years. He spent many happy days on the beach, enjoying the company of his family, supplying morning donuts and promoting evening walks to the Golden Sands for Ice Cream.

In 2016, Mike and Kitty moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, to be closer to their youngest daughter and her four young children. He loved Sandpoint, and despite suffering from dementia, enjoyed the views of the mountains and having dinner with his family at Trinity or Sweet Lou's.

Mike is survived by Kitty Dignan Chrismer, his wife of 61 years; his loving daughters, his 11 grandchildren; Katie Mangan, Aine Armstrong and Brigid Mangan, Meghan, Michael, Craig and Ceara Patton and Jack, Ellen, Will and Leah Clark and 2 great grandchildren, Regan and Reed Patton. He is also survived by his four brothers, Jim, Dave, Steve, Brady and his sister, Anna Housman.

On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, Mike's family will receive friends at 11:30 am, followed by services at 1:00 pm at Harry H. Witzke's Family Funeral Home located at 4112 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City, MD. Interment will be held immediately after at Crestlawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests gifts be made to Mount St. Mary's University, Annual Fund, in memory of Mike Chrismer class of 1962. Contributions can be made online at msmary.edu/give or mailed to 16300 Old Emmitsburg Road, Emmitsburg, MD, 21727. In the alternative gifts are also welcome in Mike's name to the Bonner General Hospital Foundation, online at bonnergeneral.org/foundation/ or by check to 520 N. Third Ave, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Published by The Baltimore Banner on Oct. 18, 2024.