Sunday, December 23, 2007

Description of Mike - From Mike's Funeral


Mike is on the far right in the photo.

This is from a handout at Mike's funeral that is a great overall description:

Michael Allen Kalan was born to Judy and Darko Kalan in Denver, Colorado on April 24, 1971. He grew up in the Denver area with his two younger sisters, Kristy Kalan and Jenny (Kalan) Johns. When he was younger, he enjoyed riding his bike and skiing in the mountains. He attended Valparaiso University, where he majored in Mechanical Engineering and met his wife Wendy Fabricius. He became a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, VU bike team, and helped out with sound systems for a variety of campus events. Mike participated in the Co-op program at VU his junior and senior year, working with Parker Hannifin in Arlington Heights, Illinois and Ashley, Indiana. Upon graduation, Parker Hannifin hired Mike as an engineer, which provided him with a variety of experiences and places to live: Plymouth, Michigan (6 months), Schaumburg and Barrington, Illinois (2 years), Corona, California (2 years), Wapakoneta, Ohio (6 years), and Portland, Oregon (5 months). His last job title was Plant Superintendent of which he was very proud and honored to have.

Listening to music, Jeeping and bicycling were some of Mike's passions. he loved all types of music, and could never hop into a car or leave for a bike ride without listening to music, which of course had to be very loud. He could always find the deeper meanings to songs and knew the beat of every instrument when listening. He bought a Jeep while living in California, which he took on numerous excursions, most notably Big Bear, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley. He enjoyed a handful of excursions in Ohio and Oregon and was looking forward to exploring Oregon more. Bicycling, of course, was his biggest passion. He road from a very young age and began competing in cycling as young as 14. He was an extraordinary bike mechanic, putting together bikes at proficient speeds. There was excitement in putting together all the components that would make a bike as light and competitive as possible. While living in the Midwest, he proved to be one of the best cyclists around. He loved racing, determined to continue even after he had his children. For a couple of years, he even was sponsored on Schwinn's Homegrown team as a semi-professional rider. It was a great honor for him. he could barely let a day go by without a bike ride.

Mike and Wendy were married on June 15, 1995. Alexander Michael and McKenna Ruth were the two joys and prides of his life. Despite his busy schedule, he always made time to spend with them. He impressed upon them his joys of music, biking, and learning. He taught them so much in his short time with them that his influence will be forever upon them. Mike went beyond the description of a loving husband. His love, friendship, forgiveness, support, tenderness, humor, and commitment were limitless.

We all will remember Mike as a man who fit as much into his 35 years of living as possible. Those who knew him now know him more than they ever could because of his death. His faith in his loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was not often spoken, but it was lived in his daily life. Mike never pretended to be someone he was not. Dying while doing something he loved befits him, as troubling and hurtful to us as it is, but he would never suggest to anyone to stop doing what you love out of fear. God knew he had found so much beauty and love in his life and wanted to show him what we can only imagine, complete joy and love in the heavenly home God has made for us. Mike would want all who knew him to know that promise for themselves.