Michael A. Urbanic

Michael Urbanic, resident of Naples, FL, Bristol, RI and formerly of Wayzata, MN, passed away on August 20, 2011 surrounded by his family. He was 66. He has joined his parents, Stella and Charles Urbanic, and is remembered by Joyce, his wife of 41 years; his daughter, Katie, and many other family and friends. Mike grew up in Lorain, Ohio, graduated from Dartmouth in '66, earned an MBA from Cornell in '68 and was stationed in Newport, RI while in the US Navy. He spent 30 years working for Cargill, ending his career as a Corporate Vice President. Mike loved traveling with his wife, fishing, solving crossword puzzles, watching his daughter play soccer and making new friends. His sense of humor, positive attitude, breadth of knowledge, selflessness, laughter, love and omelets will be missed by all. We love you Mike.

Celebrate his life Tuesday, August 30th, 10 AM visitation & 11 AM mass at St. Bartholomew's, 630 E. Wayzata Blvd, Wayzata.

 –  The Minneapolis Star Tribune

We received a call from Joyce Urbanic today (August 20, 2011) letting us know that Mike died unexpectedly early this morning, in a hospital in Rhode Island from complications related to a leukemia-like disease of his immune system. Fortunately, his daughter and son-in-law were in town and were able to be with him before he passed away. Mike battled courageously against the disease for many years, trying just about every new treatment that could be thrown at it, but in the end it just got the best of him. Joyce asked that we notify the Dartmouth community, so I am sending this to you so you can let others who were friends with Mike know. The family has not yet decided on arrangements for a funeral or memorial service, or whether it will take place in Bristol, RI, or Minneapolis.

 –  Jim Lustenader '66

As most of you know, Michael Urbanic passed away this past Saturday at St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River, MA.

Mike had been suffering from autoimmune and bone marrow diseases for a number of years, and on Monday had begun a chemotherapy treatment program to combat these conditions. By mid-week he had developed an intestinal infection which spread very quickly and overran his system. The infection's cause and rapid progression was likely related to his overall health scenario, but is still unknown for sure.

A memorial service was arranged for Tuesday, August 30th at St. Bartholomew Church in Wayzata, MN, followed by a Mass. Following the service, there was a reception at Wayzata Country Club.

Those interested can make donations to the Hammer Organization (hammer.org), where Mike once served as a board member, or the Sharing and Caring Hands Organization (sharingandcaringhands.org).

We would like to thank everyone for the love and support they have already offered us in this difficult time. It means more than you can imagine.

 –  Joyce and Katie Urbanic

Remembrances

Mike was a good friend and fraternity brother of mine. I loved seeing him at Class Reunions and mini-reunions. I'll never forget one Homecoming when he and I were marching along in the Parade near the Hanover Inn corner, when we spotted Bob Blackman standing on the corner watching the Parade. We rushed to him, Coach rushed to us, and he hugged each of us, and both Mike and I were overcome encountering our great coach. Mike and I used to share really fun memories like this one, plus tons from various escapades in our fraternity days. This leaves me with a heavy heart and he will be deeply missed. I had so looked forward to seeing him at our upcoming '66 Class Reunion and our Theta Delt Reunion.

 –  Roger Brett '66

....as were you, I was looking so forward to seeing the Bruin this fall. "So VBall....." I can hear him saying it now. Mike roomed with Budge and myself on S. Fayer 4th floor when we were juniors. He was one piece of work. I met Bear and Joyce once at a Harvard soccer game at UConn...his daughter was playing for Harvard. They lost a close game to UConn. Near the end, Bear says, "You wait...they'll have a team meeting after the game. Team meetings are overrated. You start with two problems and end with seven!!" Having coached about 100 teams, at that point, I laughed out loud. If I were to list the top ten truest things I have heard in my life, that would be on the list. Anyway, Mike seemed so happy that he and Joyce could live where they wanted, spend time together doing what they wanted to do. I really felt he was one happy guy. And a pleasure to know. He is part of our rich past now.

 –  Chuck Vernon '66

This is truly a sad day for all of us. My heartfelt condolences to the entire Urbanic family.

 –  Iggy Olchowski

I'm so happy that he was able to make the 1965 undefeated football team reunion last October and I was able to have a beer with Tom Clarke and him after the festivities. We met several times after graduation at his daughter's soccer games where she played on the same Harvard team as my niece. What a terrific guy! How he enjoyed his house in Newport.

 –  Andy Danver

The ultimate phone call for the Bear. A truly sad moment.

 –  Bob Buckley '66

I fondly recall Bear always greeting me with a sunny smile and a hearty, genial "Heh, Joffer....", and I don't recall hearing an unkind word from him about anyone. Terrible loss.

 –  Joff Keane '66

Although it has been many years since I last saw Bear, I can close my eyes and see and hear him so clearly. He was one terrific person. Although I have a conflict for this years reunion, I was sure hoping to see him and all of the rest of you again at a future reunion. He will definitely be missed by the Dartmouth and Theta Delt community.

 –  Fred Robbe '66

A real body blow. Mike was a kind honorable man. It was our good fortune to share a friendship with him.

 –  Tom Clarke '66

Of the many fine memories I have for the Bear, one of the most vivid is that he tried to snake my date from me -- actually he did snake my date from me -- one Saturday night in the Lodge. Although she was somehow later persuaded to spend the rest of her life with me. Jan Holland has always kept a spot in her heart for the Bear. Me too.

 –  George Emlen '66

I will remember Bear for his smile, his hearty deep laugh, his generally good humor [do not rile the Bear] and for leaving a bit of his ear in Slum's car. My wife asked me sometime ago why I had agreed to host this reunion, and I could not provide an acceptable explanation. I think she understands now. It may be an effort to get together, but it will not be a regret. I will always regret not seeing Mike Urbanic. Make the effort, no regrets.

 –  R. Wells Chandler '68

...After Dartmouth Mike went on to a very successful career at Cargill, Inc. I encountered Mike when he was the director of one of the trade associations Cargill belonged to and I was the vice president of the association. In 1996 Mike was the chairman of the association and his fellow alum, Terry Claassen '70, was president of the group. We had a nickname for all of our directors and Mike was either "Herbanic" or just "Herb" - we missed the Bear part.

Terry and his older son died in crash of a private plane he was piloting in fall of '96 and the first phone call I had to make was to Mike. From that moment Mike made himself 100% available to me and all the staff for both personal and business support. Mike took great pride that Terry's surviving son Nick's entered Dartmouth the next year and graduated class of '01.

Some years later when it was time for me to move on to another phase of my career Mike was the first person I sought counsel from. Over a long dinner in St. Paul he helped me make up my mind to take a jump out of security blanket into my own business that I may not have had the nerve to do without his perspective.

You guys knew the Bear, I knew Herb, but he stayed the same great guy till the end and we'll all miss him.

 –  Kyd D. Brenner
DTB Associates LLP
Washington, D.C. 20001

Not only was Mike a wonderful warm person and a solid citizen all around he was a terrific ball player as he had to be coming out of the Ohio high school powerhouse Buckeye Conference featuring the leading rivalry of Lorain and Elyria. It was a pleasure helping recruit him and see him flourish in his Hanover career far from the smoky waterfront of polluted Lake Erie and the steel mills. No doubt all of us who had the opportunity to know Mike will have some good stories to tell and carry many memories of a really fine man in the years to come.

 –  Wilson Madden

Thanks for letting me know. Sad news indeed. Way too soon. He was a great guy to be around; a big, tough, friendly teddy-bear.

 –  Chip Hayes