Mike, 70, died May 6, 2011, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He earned a degree in Business from the University of Idaho, following stints at San Diego State University and North Idaho Junior College. His education followed a tour in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper, a path he chose after failing the vision test in his bid to enter the United States Military Academy at West Point. While attending Coeur d'Alene High School, Mike earned his pilot's license; he later flew for Air America for seven years in Vietnam and Laos. He was a smokejumper pilot in Alaska for three seasons before a spinal injury forced him to retire at 37. He was a life member of the NSA.