Would you like to dance around the world with me?

My dad's funeral memorial

Mike Deems grew up an Army brat in a family of six children, planting roots all over the world, including Nevada, Utah, Germany, El Paso, and Virginia. He came to West Point in 1961, where he excelled in school while also captaining the soccer team.

After graduating, Mike served from 1965-66 at Fort Campbell in the 1st Battalion of the 501st Infantry with the 101st Airborne Division. He was then a Company Commander in the 4th Battalion of the 503rd Infantry with the 173rd Airborne Brigade from 1966-68 in Viet Nam.

During his second tour in Viet Nam, in 1970, Mike served as an Operations Officer of the Military Assistance Command. Throughout his service in Viet Nam, Mike received two bronze stars for bravery and meritorious service.

After earning his Masters degree in Operations Research from Georgia Tech in 1973, Mike served at the Combat Development Experimentation Center until 1976. The following year, he attended the Command and General Staff College before applying to the astronaut corps, where he made the final round of astronaut selections. Luckily for his future family, he did not make it as an astronaut and instead served on the Staff & Faculty at West Point from 1977 to 1980, where he met Christine, and they married in 1979.

Mike then worked at the Concept Analysis Agency and the Military Personnel Center until he retired in 1986. Upon retiring from the Army, he worked as a Systems Engineer for the MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit research and development center that supports military and national needs.

Mike was an avid soccer fan; in addition to making it to the Final Four while at West Point, he continued to play and referee the sport after graduation. He was also a talented woodworker, loved to travel, walk, and listen to and play music (he even has 85 versions of Amazing Grace). The most important aspect of his life, though, was being involved in every aspect of his family’s activities, showing support and enthusiasm at each event.

Mike was diagnosed with kidney cancer in July of 2007. Those who celebrate his life today remember him as a devoted husband, father, friend, mentor, classmate, roommate, Ranger Buddy, and decorated Vietnam veteran.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Christine Deems; son Jason and wife Tina; son Nik and wife Kristin; daughter Elizabeth; mother Gene Deems; brothers Ron Deems and Bill Deems; and sisters Cathie Gerlicher, Susan Roske, and Barbara Sudek.

posted by Biff @ 1:17 AM