Michael died October 10, 2007, in Spokane, Washington. He was born June 2, 1943, in Omaha, Nebraska, and moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, in his teens. In 1964 he joined the Army and completed a 15-month tour with the 82nd Airborne. He was discharged, but re-enlisted and served with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Vietnam where he received a Bronze Star. Michael was hired by Air America after his discharge, and he worked in Laos until 1972. He jumped at Missoula 1968 and at Grangeville 1970.