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Michael Craig Lind

Mike Lind passed away suddenly March 2, 2018, in Spokane Valley while driving to work. Mike was born March 13, 1948, in Chewelah, Wash., to mother Betty Skidmore Lind and father Charles Henry Lind. The family resided on a farm west of Arden, Wash. Mike moved with the family to Sagle, Idaho, and a year later to his paternal grandparents’ farm in Addy, Wash.

Mike attended rural elementary schools in Addy and Arden, and finished elementary school in Colville. Mike completed the seventh and eighth grades at Idaho Hill School, east of Newport, later graduating from Newport High in 1966. Following high school, Mike attended the University of Idaho, studying engineering and urban planning, graduating with a BS degree in 1971.

Mike married his first wife, Kathy, after graduating. They had three children, Brandy, Josh and Dustin. They lived in Alaska and North Idaho following Mike’s work as a telecommunication contractor. He later opened his own communication business, Your Telephone Alternative, in Hayden, Idaho. Mike and Kathy later sold the company.

Mike married Bonnie in 1992. Mike and Bonnie moved to Rathdrum, Idaho, and had two children, Erin and Brian. Mike continued to pursue telecommunications, working all over the Pacific Northwest. They moved to Otis Orchards, Wash., in 2001.

He continued to work as a contractor and team leader on extremely technical telecommunications tasks; he was a great asset to the local telephone company. Many colleagues described Mike as the go-to source for complex job situations.

During his long career, Mike provided on-the-job instruction to many young apprentices. These students later became productive employees or contractors in the telecommunications fields. He was extremely smart and was fascinated with everything; he was a tinkerer, a sort of layperson inventor, and created things and systems when his busy work allowed the time.

Mike worked such long hours he seldom took an opportunity to rest. Mike thoroughly enjoyed his family, work, friends and mentoring. Mike was known as a ‘scrapper’ in his teenage years but later mellowed out and was described as the kindest, hardworking, and one of the most caring souls anyone ever knew.

His intensity, high intelligence, strong technical knowledge and caring human qualities will be missed by all of us.

Mike is survived by his mother, Betty; wife Bonnie; children Brian, Erin, Brandy, Dustin and Josh (Sarah); as well as brother Jon (Sue); step brothers Errol (Edel) McNearney, Jerry (Ruth) McNearney; and stepsister Donna (Al) Lorenco; his grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. His father, Charles, and stepmother, Gen, preceded his death.

A Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at St. Joseph’s in Otis Orchards. The memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2018, at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N. Division, Spokane, Wash. A celebration of life reception will follow at the Eagles Lodge Aerie No. 2, in Spokane.