I recall, many years ago I had an emergency case on a Saturday, and I called Mike to see if he could help. Of course he came immediately and we operated together that night.  Mike let it slip during the case that it was his 80^th birthday. Mike spent that birthday doing what he did so well, helping a friend take care of a patient. I am very grateful for his help and for all the times I got to spend with Mike. He became my number one assistant and I have many fond memories of him. Skilled in the OR, Mike was a terrific doctor, but more than that, he was a great companion and a wonderful storyteller. He loved to tell stories and he could always make us laugh, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Mike was also full of ideas and loved to share them. Over the years we shared books and music and had many long discussions about patient care, politics, religion, music, literature, business and family. He was fun to be around, an inspiration to me, and I am proud to say he was my friend. I will miss him.