Michael W. McCoy

Michael William McCoy was born January 20, 1949 in Cincinnati, Ohio as the eldest child of Robert and Irene McCoy and passed away April 28, 2016 in Richland, Washington.    He graduated from the University of Dayton with a BS in Biology and later earned an MS in Environmental Science at WSU Tri-Cities.

He served in the U.S. Army on active duty in Germany during the Viet Nam war as a 1^st Lt.  He then worked at Mare Island Naval Shipyard and transferred to Hanford as an RCT until he found a position with Battelle at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory, retiring from there in 2007. 

Mike was married to Dana Barker in 1975; they were married 23 years and then divorced.

Mike was a kind and gentle man, a great teacher and handyman, who always took care of family and enjoyed the outdoors, anything scientific, Kadlec Tai Chi and music.  He also enjoyed volunteering at Franklin County Emergency Management and AARP Tax-Aide.  Favorite memories include the many hikes, camping and canoeing trips as well as family visits back to the Cincinnati area.  Mike was always ready for a new adventure whether it was climbing mountains (Kilimanjaro and others in his younger days), canoeing the Green River in Utah or just driving to Umatilla for ice cold watermelon slices on the spur of the moment. To him retirement was one great adventure.  He would always read the entire manual before starting any project and always was ready to help others.  Not given to snap decisions, Mike would always give questions or issues serious thought and then offer his input.  Maybe the most wonderful thing about Mike was that he was at peace with himself and had no need to be anyone different.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents and brother Rick.  He is survived by his wife Nadine Highland, sisters Pam (Tom) Hammerschmidt and Kathy (Mike) Rickels, brother Robb (Julie) McCoy, daughters Heather Flaten and Colleen (David) Johnson, grandsons, Tyler, Weston and Austin Flaten and Justin and Kaleb Johnson as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.  He also leaves a brother-in-law Doug (Sue) McLean, step sons Brett and Todd Prokop and step grandson Steven Prokop.

In lieu of flowers those wishing to make donations might consider some of Mike’s favorites:  NWPR or KTNW, WSU, PO Box 642530, Pullman WA 99164-2530; or Camerata Musica PO Box 615 Richland WA 99352; or the National Park Foundation 1110 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington D.C. 20005.

Services will be May 6 at 10:00 a.m. at Einan’s Events at Sunset in Richland WA.  A buffet luncheon and a chance to connect with others will follow from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for those who wish to attend.