Fellow tech, writer, blogger, human and Apple technology star Michael Bartosh passed away suddenly on the 12th of June, 2006. Michael's passing has had, and will continue to have, an impact on the Apple community. Many people have known Michael on one level or another, and most have been assisted by him on the technology side somewhere in their path.
While I certainly can't say anything better than most already have (particularly this, this and this), no one has yet simply commented on death.
Death is a part of life. Most don't think about it until it is upon us in some fashion. Most of us also fail to live. If life is the opposite of death, we need to move our arms around! Sing. Interact. See. Fail. And try again. I can tell you that Michael lived.
I don't want to imply that, like Michael, one needs to travel the globe to be alive. He lived in his way. Live in yours. But in living, remember that each moment disappears and is gone forever as we move on to a new one.
Everything falls under the laws of change,
like a dream, a phantom, a bubble, a shadow,
like dew or a flash of lightning;
you should contemplate like this
It doesn't make it any easier for those of us who knew Michael personally - death is more difficult for the living! But it's easier if you know that you treated those who've passed on as a human being. So, when you leave someone, it's not nihilistic to think, "this may be the last time I see them." Rather, it helps you respect them while they're still in front of you, and, it makes you grateful when you do see them again.
More than Apple
This has been the most trying two weeks of my life. I am just getting around to reading all the things on the internet about Michael. Michael was, in addition to a Mac person, my only child and the focus of my life.
Michael attended Texas A & M University at College Station. Michael began going to A & M in the summers of his childhood as a 4-H member to 4-H Roundup. His cousin went to A & M and had him up for visits from time to time, and there was no question in his mind that this was the school for him. His wife Amber promised me that she would see to it that he finished his six hours for the degree he had worked for there. When he did the six hours, his cousins (and fellow Aggies) Mike and Candy Cowley drove up with me to watch him walk. He opted not to walk until he was told that this was very important to his mother. His education was my purpose in life for many years.
He met his wife Amber at the Texas 4-H camp at Brownwood between his eighth grade and freshman year in high school. They worked to get to that camp (because one had to DO SOMETHING in 4-H to get to go) every summer until they both went to college. Even then, they returned as counselors. Amber went to Rice University to pursue a degree in architecture, so they were not so far apart as they had been in high school. We lived in Cuero, and she lived in Amarillo - 10 hours away. I knew the way to the air port in Austin well as they worked at their respective jobs to earn money for the airline tickets.
The reason Michael had not finished the degree is that they planned for over a year to get married on July 16, 2000, and nothing would stand in their way. Michael was offered a job with Apple and I objected. Michael pointed out that he would be making more as a first year employee than I made after 28 years of teaching, so I relented when he promised to finish his degree. I had no idea when it would be done. His wife saw to it that he finished those last six hours.
I know a different Michael than the one on the Internet that I am reading about. I know a young man who made good grades in high school and was president of the National Honor Society, a member of 4-H, a member of the Luther League at church, a very good speaker, a UIL competitor in several fields, a tennis player (not a star), a band member (for a while), and a good son. I know a young man who was known for pranks, but did not harm anyone doing them. I know a young man who was my source of Apple information in a PC World (where I live anyway). He had brought me a new MacBook on May 19th as a combination birthday/Mother's Day present. I looked forward to learning more about it from him. In addition, I had planned a field trip for May 19, and if I were to see him, he had to go along. He boarded the yellow school bus with my students, my fellow chaperones, and I and went to Houston to the museums and did not complain about it. I know the young man who came home immediately when his grandmother (my mother ) passed away and helped our family cope. I know a young man who came home and stayed with me when our dog was ill and died in my arms. Michael went out and chose a place to bury her, and he set to work to dig the grave. I know the young man who could not wait to get to Cuero and get barbeque from the Barbeque Station - with all the fixings. I knew the young man who was always home for Thanksgiving and Christmas - along with Amber. The last thing he did at Thanksgiving was to get the Christmas tree down so I could have it done way before Christmas. I know the young man who was an avid learner of many topics all his life. He was the same young man who, as a child, cried when ET "went home" right in the middle of the movie. He went on to love Star Trek, Star Wars, Chester Nimitz, and much more.
I could go on for a very long time, but it all boils down to this: This young Texas Aggie was a lot more than an Apple person, and he is leaving a very large hole in my heart, his wife's heart, and in the hearts of our family, and it will be there forever.
Sincerely,
Dianna Bartosh
Thank You
Dianna,
Thank you for sharing these stories. And thank you, thank you, for making the effort to talk about Michael. As I said before, I know that Michael really *lived*. Your stories round out that life even further! You write of some beautiful memories. Of course, his family has been very present in my, and everyone's mind. We are all going to miss him greatly, on many different levels. My heart goes out to you for the loss of your child. Thank you again for sharing.
Looking for Michael
I was wondering what Michael and Amber were up to when and decided to a search. Unfortunately this was the news I stumbled upon. I met them during Spectra at 4-H Center. My Family taught the Field and Stream workshop along with Michael and Amber. My whole family wishes Amber and Michael's Family the best. If anyone in contact with Amber reads this please forward our e-mails to her.
Michael, Christopher, Weldon, and Cathryn Clement
weldonncathryn AT yahoo DOT com
mizraal AT hotmail DOT com