I started at Walnut Hills when our class entered the ninth grade. My family had moved from University Heights, near Cleveland, over the summer. I was a shy kid and didn't have an easy time starting at a new school where I had hardly met anyone.
Mike Weiner went out of his way to be friendly from the first time I met him. Over the four years I spent at Walnut Hills, many of you welcomed me and some became good friends, but Mike was one of the earliest. It would often brighten my day to see him and he usually greeted me with a joke or a smile.
At one of our reunions I went on a tour of the school and happened to walk for about ten minutes with Mike. As we were shown into the pool area, Mike and I chatted about Whitey, the swimming coach, and some of the odd things Whitey used to shout out to us as we swam our laps. When the tour guide took us into the girls locker room, MIke said, "Finally! How much I would have loved to see this room when we were in high school.". Everyone laughed. I had the same thought as we walked in, but he was quick, and said it perfectly, at just the right moment. Mike was a warm, fun, guy that I will miss.
I recall talking with Mike at our last reunion and we spoke of our Rotary experience as I had been president of my club twice and he once. I recall his shock of red hair and his permanent smile and his easy going demeanor. I will miss seeing him next year as we celebrate our 75th Birthday Party in June. RIP Mike-you were one of the good guys!!
It was with great sadness that I learned that Michael's treatments had failed him. I am remembering fondly the many good times we had together. Mike and I dated while in college and after while he was in med school and I was in nursing school. I was lucky enough to see him in The Zoo Story which was an amazing performance. He was a very talented actor. Mike also had a lovely singing voice and he enjoyed singing. He was a true romantic and he had the most wonderful smile. He married about the same time that I did and we stayed friends over the years. Mike would always visit us when he came back to Cincy. I have not met his second wife Julie but I am thankful for the happy years they had together and what a blessing that she was able to be with him throughout his illness.
So sorry to hear about Mike's passing. I haven't seen him since high school but I remember well his easy smile and friendliness. I'm so sorry for his family and friends as I know he will be missed.
I was so sad to hear about Mike. I had known that he was very, very sick but I am so saddened to hear that Mike has died. I knew Mike almost my whole childhood - from North Avondale through WHHS. I remember him from elementary school as a smiling, mischievous redhead, always friendly, always with friends, always fun. We were never super close but there was always a warmth and familiarity from that long friendship.I remember having a wonderful conversation with him at CVG after one of our reunions. I was talking to him about a medical issue and he was incredibly kind and generous. I connected Rob with my brother-in-law, who went through the same stem cell transplant Mike did. They had a lovely connection and I am so sorry that that huge process didn't work out for Mike in the end. RIP Mike, I'll miss you and your warmth and loyal friendship. I'm so glad that Mike found Julie these last few years of his life. I remember meeting her at our 70th bday reunion and liking her so much. Hope all my other classmates are weathering this storm and are doing well.
Mike's widow, Julie Hough, informed me that there will be a Celebration of Life for Mike on October 2 in Sun City West, Arizona at Corte Bella Golf Club in the Santa Barbara Room. She will notify me later of the specifics but wanted Mike's classmates to know that they are welcome to attend.
My remembrance to be read at Mike's Celebration of Life on October 2, 2021:
I met Mike in 1958 when we were 7th graders at Cincinnati's Walnut Hills High School. We traveled the high school halls together through June, 1964 when we graduated. During those six years, I laughed with Mike and I danced with Mike. He was a great dancer. He had the moves!
The last time I saw Mike was in June, 2016 at our high school class’s 70th Birthday Reunion in Cincinnati. Julie was with Mike when I asked him to dance. I hope she was okay with that. Anyway, we danced and Mike still had the moves! I'm thankful that I had this last dance with him. Who knew.
Fast forward to 2019 and 2020. Mike called me out of the blue and we started what would become frequent phone conversations. He was honest about his medical condition. He was caring, kind and real. Toward the end, he would call me while he was at the infusion center. He talked about his death and asked me to help him write his obituary. This was one of the most difficult things I had ever done. But, we did it together.
I am forever grateful that Mike reconnected with me and we had such meaningful conversations--conversations that we never would have had in our younger years.
Mike shared with me his love for Julie and his family. He felt blessed for his life. He faced death honestly and with great courage. I will forever remember Mike.
The Walnut Hills High School Class of 1964 has lost a dear classmate. His memory will always be a blessing.
I wish that I could be at Mike's Celebration of Life with you all. I am in Idaho and COVID is preventing me from traveling.
Gail Weintraub Stern
Richard Winter
I started at Walnut Hills when our class entered the ninth grade. My family had moved from University Heights, near Cleveland, over the summer. I was a shy kid and didn't have an easy time starting at a new school where I had hardly met anyone.
Mike Weiner went out of his way to be friendly from the first time I met him. Over the four years I spent at Walnut Hills, many of you welcomed me and some became good friends, but Mike was one of the earliest. It would often brighten my day to see him and he usually greeted me with a joke or a smile.
At one of our reunions I went on a tour of the school and happened to walk for about ten minutes with Mike. As we were shown into the pool area, Mike and I chatted about Whitey, the swimming coach, and some of the odd things Whitey used to shout out to us as we swam our laps. When the tour guide took us into the girls locker room, MIke said, "Finally! How much I would have loved to see this room when we were in high school.". Everyone laughed. I had the same thought as we walked in, but he was quick, and said it perfectly, at just the right moment. Mike was a warm, fun, guy that I will miss.
Gene Stern
I recall talking with Mike at our last reunion and we spoke of our Rotary experience as I had been president of my club twice and he once. I recall his shock of red hair and his permanent smile and his easy going demeanor. I will miss seeing him next year as we celebrate our 75th Birthday Party in June. RIP Mike-you were one of the good guys!!
Sandy Steele (Bauman)
I am so sorry to hear about Mike's passing. We had some lovely conversations at reunions, and I remember his nice smile.
Dale Gieringer
So sad to lose yet another star of "Mary Queen of Scots." Mike wasn't a close friend, but I always enjoyed his presence. A gentleman has left us.
Sally Hastie (Dessner)
It was with great sadness that I learned that Michael's treatments had failed him. I am remembering fondly the many good times we had together. Mike and I dated while in college and after while he was in med school and I was in nursing school. I was lucky enough to see him in The Zoo Story which was an amazing performance. He was a very talented actor. Mike also had a lovely singing voice and he enjoyed singing. He was a true romantic and he had the most wonderful smile. He married about the same time that I did and we stayed friends over the years. Mike would always visit us when he came back to Cincy. I have not met his second wife Julie but I am thankful for the happy years they had together and what a blessing that she was able to be with him throughout his illness.
Evan Burkholder
Rest in peace, Michael. The world has lost another light. And, yes, the "Mary, Queen of Scotts" cast has lost another.
Stephanie Riger
So sorry to hear about Mike's passing. I haven't seen him since high school but I remember well his easy smile and friendliness. I'm so sorry for his family and friends as I know he will be missed.
Mary Benjamin
I was so sad to hear about Mike. I had known that he was very, very sick but I am so saddened to hear that Mike has died. I knew Mike almost my whole childhood - from North Avondale through WHHS. I remember him from elementary school as a smiling, mischievous redhead, always friendly, always with friends, always fun. We were never super close but there was always a warmth and familiarity from that long friendship.I remember having a wonderful conversation with him at CVG after one of our reunions. I was talking to him about a medical issue and he was incredibly kind and generous. I connected Rob with my brother-in-law, who went through the same stem cell transplant Mike did. They had a lovely connection and I am so sorry that that huge process didn't work out for Mike in the end. RIP Mike, I'll miss you and your warmth and loyal friendship. I'm so glad that Mike found Julie these last few years of his life. I remember meeting her at our 70th bday reunion and liking her so much. Hope all my other classmates are weathering this storm and are doing well.
Gail Weintraub (Stern)
Mike's widow, Julie Hough, informed me that there will be a Celebration of Life for Mike on October 2 in Sun City West, Arizona at Corte Bella Golf Club in the Santa Barbara Room. She will notify me later of the specifics but wanted Mike's classmates to know that they are welcome to attend.
Gail Weintraub (Stern)
My remembrance to be read at Mike's Celebration of Life on October 2, 2021:
I met Mike in 1958 when we were 7th graders at Cincinnati's Walnut Hills High School. We traveled the high school halls together through June, 1964 when we graduated. During those six years, I laughed with Mike and I danced with Mike. He was a great dancer. He had the moves!
The last time I saw Mike was in June, 2016 at our high school class’s 70th Birthday Reunion in Cincinnati. Julie was with Mike when I asked him to dance. I hope she was okay with that. Anyway, we danced and Mike still had the moves! I'm thankful that I had this last dance with him. Who knew.
Fast forward to 2019 and 2020. Mike called me out of the blue and we started what would become frequent phone conversations. He was honest about his medical condition. He was caring, kind and real. Toward the end, he would call me while he was at the infusion center. He talked about his death and asked me to help him write his obituary. This was one of the most difficult things I had ever done. But, we did it together.
I am forever grateful that Mike reconnected with me and we had such meaningful conversations--conversations that we never would have had in our younger years.
Mike shared with me his love for Julie and his family. He felt blessed for his life. He faced death honestly and with great courage. I will forever remember Mike.
The Walnut Hills High School Class of 1964 has lost a dear classmate. His memory will always be a blessing.
I wish that I could be at Mike's Celebration of Life with you all. I am in Idaho and COVID is preventing me from traveling.
Gail Weintraub Stern