Michael Falck's Obituary
Michael Robert Falck, 55, of Tacoma passed away on February 26, 2023, at Tacoma General Hospital surrounded by his loving family. His big heart, fun-loving nature, boyish charm, great sense of humor and sharp business mind will be deeply missed by his many family and friends.
Michael was born August 28, 1967, the first of four boys born to Marilyn and Michael Townsend of Tacoma, WA. His parents divorced when he was quite young and his mother soon married US Navy sailor Sammy J Falck, who adopted Michael and his brothers and loved them as his own. The family was very close and some of Michael’s fondest memories from those days include camping, bowling, baseball, and playing chess. As a youth he excelled on the violin and eventually served as concertmaster of the Tacoma Youth Symphony.
The family moved to Treasure Island in San Francisco when Michael was a teen where he made several lifelong friends and attended Lowell High School for a time before graduating in 1985 from Downtown High School. Following in his father’s footsteps, he joined the Navy at age 17 and attended nuclear power school. He was later accepted to the Naval Academy, but a badly broken leg ended his Navy career before he could attend.
After moving back to the Tacoma area Michael met and married Roberta “Bobbi” Degenhart in 1990. They settled into married life and Michael worked at Pepsi Co. during the heyday of Taco Bell where he was instrumental in getting a number of locations in the area up and running. His outgoing nature and talent for business led him naturally to sales, and he held several sales positions in the ensuing years. In the 90s he was co-owner of Identity Computer Solutions, a consulting company awarded “Business of the Year” by the local chamber of commerce.
Though a success in sales, the job he most treasured was that of being father to his son, Nicholaus, born to him and Bobbi in 1994. Fiercely proud and always supportive, he considered his role in guiding, teaching, and encouraging Nic to adulthood his greatest privilege and achievement in life.
Divorced in 2002, Michael went on to marry Heidi Pangan (nee Falen) on the last day of 2003 in the large home they were to share with his son and her four children in Federal Way, WA. He took great joy in his big family and loved carting them around in a Chevy Suburban he affectionately called, “the BuBu.” Michael loved to entertain, and their home was the site of countless celebrations and gatherings over the years from poker nights to New Years’ parties, graduations to weddings, and an annual 4th of July seafood boil. His love language was food and he was in his element preparing huge meals for any group, be it his family, the high school football team, the guys at poker night or a family reunion. He especially enjoyed taking the family each summer to Steamboat Rock State Park where his personal heaven was fishing every morning, towing kids around the lake with the boat during the day and napping on a floatie in the water every afternoon.
Along with another couple, Michael & Heidi bought Whitmire Medical in 2005, a medical equipment distribution company, where both worked. There he developed expertise in the field of point-of-care testing and was known for his ability to come up with “outside-the-box” solutions to seemingly impossible obstacles when working out a deal. Thinking best on his feet, his coworkers were accustomed to the sight and sound of him pacing the halls, earbuds in, working his magic on the phone. During his career, he made countless friends of customers, vendors, and competitors alike.
A lifelong fisherman, he loved sharing the sport with others and required anyone coming along to bring three dollars admission to award the first, most and biggest catch. Hunting camp each fall with his brothers and close friends was a prized tradition he rarely missed. Social games were a big draw, and he never turned down a round of shuffleboard or game of pool but cornhole was his all-time favorite and he spent many joyful hours tossing beanbags at picnics and campouts. An accomplished cook all-around, he was a master at the grill best known for barbecued ribs featuring his signature secret rub recipe. Movies, the Food Channel, and reading were favored pastimes but at the top of his list was anything involving his three beloved grandchildren.
In 2017 Michael and Heidi moved to their “forever home”, a condo in Old Town Tacoma with a view of Commencement Bay. Michael’s favorite times there were summer nights at Rainiers’ baseball games, blues festivals in the park, bowling at Chalet Bowl, and watching spectacular sunsets over the water from their balcony. He loved to travel anywhere with Heidi but spoke most warmly of their times together in Leavenworth, WA and New Orleans, LA.
Connecting with people fueled Michael every day of his life and his impact went well beyond family and friends. Store clerks, waitstaff, Uber drivers and baristas were amused by his light-hearted banter wherever he went. He was never too hurried to stop and open his wallet for a street musician, lemonade stand, or girl scout. He connected with people around campfires and conference tables, barbecue grills and Christmas trees, tailgates before the big game and plates of nachos at the bowling alley. He connected with people at church, on airplanes and the internet. He was a mentor to more than one young person who needed him to be. He was lovable, fun, affectionate and generous. He will remain with us in the fond memories of so very many and continue always in the hearts of those who love him.
He is survived by his mother, Marilyn; wife, Heidi; son, Nicholaus; step-children, Adam Holze, McKenna Pangan, Bailey Pangan, and Brandy Pangan; brothers, Collin (Daniel), Chad (Tronda), Matthew (Shawneen) stepsister, Alisa Rogers ; nine nieces and nephews and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Sammy.
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