Dr. Michael J. Drake
(1946-2011)
Mike passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 21, surrounded by his wife and close friends. "Larger than life" is a wonderful way to remember the man who approached every day with a relentless optimism. He was born in Bristol, England in 1946, the first child of Allen and Betty Drake. It was his love of the American West, however, that brought him to Oregon and then Arizona in the 1960's. A Tucsonan to the core, he spent the last 40 years contributing to the local community. His scientific career at U of A's Lunar and Planetary Lab sought answers to fundamental questions about the formation of the solar system and the origins of water on Earth. Under his guidance, the Lab reached international recognition, culminating in his guiding role in landing the OSIRIS-REX mission last July for the U of A. He believed implicitly in the capacity to make the world a better place through education and scientific advancement. It was with this guiding principle that he continued to teach undergraduates while running the Planetary Sciences department and continuing his own experiments. To his family, Mike was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and son. An avid off-roader, he was never far away from his next trip to Utah's Maze district in his lifted and locked 4x4 Jeep. He famously sank the vehicle more than once in rivers too deep to cross. His travels took him to all corners of the world and with that global eye, he saw a genuine goodness in others. He loved to say that every generation must leave the world a better place for their children. Mike's life, career and love stayed true to that principle to the end. His true legacy is that the many lives he touched shall carry that message onward for generations to come. He is survived by his wife, Gail; children, Matt and Melissa; daughter-in-law, Carynne; sister, Lis; father, Allen and granddaughter, Ellie. He will forever be missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the UMC Foundation through www.umcarizona.org in Mike's memory. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel.