MICHAEL, Douglas (Doug) Grant

The Verde Independent, Cottonwood, AZ January 11, 2006 Douglas Grant Michael died Dec. 25, 2005, in Los Angeles at the age of 45 after a long struggle against cancer. Doug was born in Grant, Neb., on May 9, 1960, to Mary and Jess Michael. In 1964, the Michael family moved to Phoenix, where Doug attended elementary school. In 1973, the family moved to Sedona, where Doug resided until going to college. He attended Mingus Union High School and graduated in 1978 as salutatorian. He attended Stanford University at Palo Alto, Calif., on a four-year scholastic scholarship. He graduated in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in Physics. He attended Harvard University at Cambridge, Mass., on a full scholarship and received his master's degree followed by his doctorate in physics in 1989. Doug was a high-energy (particle) research physicist at the California Institute of Technology from May 1990 until his death. During that time he was the head of the Neutrino Scientific project in Italy and was featured on Alan Alda's "Scientific American Frontier" television program in January 1995. He was co-director of a new physics research project, MINOS, associated with the Fermilab near Chicago, Ill. Besides his brilliant work in the world of physics, Doug was also an accomplished pianist, painter, gourmet cook and wine connoisseur. He was loved and respected by his family, many friends and scientists throughout the world who will miss his wisdom, intelligence and quest for life. Doug is survived by his loving partner of 23 years, Matthew McLaughlin, of Los Angeles; his brother David Michael and family of Whittier, Calif.; his sister Michelle Soderlund and family of Boise, Idaho; his mother Mary Michael of Tempe; and his father Jess Michael of Grant, Neb. A memorial service will be held at the California Institute of Technology on Jan. 28. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lymphomia Research Foundation of America, 111 Broadway, 19th floor, New York, NY 10006.