MICHAEL RONALD SHAY
09/04/1951 — 08/30/2020
From Richland, WA | Born in West Lafayette, IN
Michael Ronald Shay
Michael Ronald Shay
1951-2020
Mike Shay passed away on August 30, 2020 in his home in Richland, Washington, at the age of 68 years. He had lived in the Tri-City area for more than 40 years and was recently retired. During retirement, his curiosity opened the door to international travel, home projects, and encouraging friends and family to grow and explore their worlds. Family activities and events were his focus. His biggest joy was spending time with his grandchildren, and supporting their strengths and personalities was especially important to him. There is no question that he lived his life fully. The end came unexpectedly and much too soon for him and his loved ones.
Mike was born to J. Ralph and Jean Rhode Shay in West Lafayette, Indiana, and attended the public schools there. He was a dedicated paperboy, learning many skills he would later apply in his professional career. In 1966, his father left Purdue to become the Chair of the Botany and Plant Pathology Department at Oregon State University. The Shay family moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where Mike graduated from Corvallis High School. Music was a major theme in the Shay household as he was growing up. Mike played the clarinet, tenor saxophone, and the oboe in band and jazz band. Those school years in West Lafayette and Corvallis sparked many friendships that endure today.
At Oregon State University, Mike chose physics for his undergraduate degree then went on to achieve a Master of Science Degree in nuclear engineering. He subsequently earned a second MS Degree in statistics/operations research and completed all requirements for a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering except for a final thesis on modeling economic risk. Mike came to the Hanford Site to join the Westinghouse Hanford Company in 1976 and later Battelle. He was uniquely prepared for his tenure at Hanford. Most of his career unfolded at Battelle where he was a consummate and dedicated project manager, excelling at risk management for large scale projects. His optimistic outlook, charismatic personality, vision, and exuberant enthusiasm for his work served him well throughout his career and into his retirement years.
Mike is survived by his wife Mona, sisters Linda, Betsy, and Jennifer, daughter Erin (Matt), son Scott (Deborah), stepdaughter Kyra (Greg), stepdaughter Melissa, and grandchildren Madelyn, Griffin, Emerson, Kendrick, Ava, Gavin, and many cousins, nephews and nieces. His father and mother as well as sisters Susie and Peggy passed away before him.
Mike will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A private graveside service will be held later this month. A celebration of Mike’s life is tentatively planned for July 2021 or at such time when current health restrictions are behind us. Mike’s family wishes to thank everyone who has reached out to us with support and caring.
We lost dad unexpectedly on Sunday night.
There were no warning signs, he had walked 8 miles the day he passed and had sat in his chair to finish his book like he had done so many times before. He was loved feircely by many and we are shocked and sad. A father daughter relationship is a unique and special bond that I was lucky to have. We were so very much alike in so many ways and it feels like a part of me is lost forever.
It is hard to watch my children loose their grandpa who was their best friend. Their biggest fan who never missed the opportunity to watch them conquer milestones and call himself “grandpa, master of the universe” in a big deep voice. We are still very much grieving and trying our best to make decisions he would have wanted.
We will keep all those who knew him updated on our progress. Right now we are asking for space while we process through this. Hug your loved ones close, you never know how much time you have together. Always act like it could be your last, I wish I had.
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On Sunday night we got the dreaded phone call scotts dad and my amazing father in law had passed away extremely unexpectedly.
We were not expecting to loose him so soon and are extremely sad by this pivotal loss in our family. I was lucky to have known mike Shay since high school and he always welcomed me with open arms! He loved his 6 grandkids more then anything they were truly his pride and joy!
We have so many amazing memories with him and we will cherish those and cling to them in the coming days as we grieve this loss.
Mike shay was truly one of a kind and his presence was felt by all. He always made sure everyone felt included and would offer to watch Emerson and Kendrick at the drop of a hat. His charisma, laugh, and smile would fill a room. He was one that so many people felt they could go to and really lean on as a rock in their lives. He never turned down a glass of wine or a good burger no matter how tall!
I feel so blessed that he was my father in law and grandpa (master of the universe) to our kids!
This loss we are going to feel for a long while but we are putting one foot in front of the other. We will keep everyone updated of services and arrangements. Thank you everyone for the phone calls, texts, and flowers we are so lucky to be surrounded by the people that we call friends and family.
Mike shay may you Rest In Peace we miss you and love you!
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