Memorial Statement
(1921-2006). Ernest Denzil Michael, Jr. (“Mike”) passed away on April 9, 2006 following a lengthy battle with cancer. He earned his A.S. degree from Vincennes University before transferring to Purdue University. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps (3rd Regiment, 3rd Division) during WWII, engaging in combat in Bougainville and Guadalcanal. Following the war, he received his commission and continued his education at Oberlin College, completing the Bachelor’s degree at Purdue University. Mike received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Physical Education from the University of Illinois (TK Cureton, dissertation advisor).
Dr. Michael accepted a faculty appointment in Physical Education at the University of California (Santa Barbara) as an assistant coach for the men’s track team in 1952. His academic appointment in the Physical Education Department focused on research and teaching courses in Exercise Physiology. Dr. Michael mentored numerous graduate students who achieved positions of leadership at major universities and in business and industry in Physical Education, exercise physiology, and allied-health professions. Dr. Michael was a fellow of the prestigious American Physiological Society, American Academy of Kinesiology, and American College of Sports Medicine. He served as Professor at the University of California (Santa Barbara) for 36 years (including 5 years as Department Chair) and was a member of the Sigma Xi Society. For over 30 years, he volunteered as an official for the UCSB men’s track team and the Easter Relays. He was an avid runner and golfer; for the latter after the age of 80, he often scored just over or below his age! Dr. Michael took several sabbatical leaves, working in the exercise physiology lab (with former MS student Frank Katch), and with JVGA Durnin in Scotland. Ernest remained in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for 20 years and commanded the 67th Special Infantry Company in Port Hueneme, CA. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and remained active in the local Marine Corp League.
His more than 30 scientific publications were in the area of endurance performance, body composition assessment, physiological responses to exercise, and adaptations to environmental stressors (mainly heat and high altitude). His publications with graduate students and colleagues appeared in the Journal of Applied Physiology, Research Quarterly, Ergonomics, and many international journals.
Ernie Michaels (Mike) lived live to the fullest! He always had a smile on his face and was an encouragement to those around him. He loved teaching and many of his former students went on to distinguish themselves in the academic community (e.g., Bill Haskell at Stanford, Judy Smith at UCLA, Frank Katch at the University of Massachusetts). Most importantly, his former students were among his best friends.
We miss him!
