The Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel, Bishop of Olympia, writes on his weblog:
Michael was a man of adventure. He liked being outside, and he liked doing stuff. A day hike might have enlightened my life in a day, and be adventure enough, but Michael would go gliding, as in a glider pulled behind a plane, something else he was qualified for and knew how to do. I will never forget him bringing his iPad video of that glider trip back to show us all. I might go out for a light and calm swim after a long day, and Michael would be skin diving for an hour, his head bobbing up only sporadically as I already sat wasted on the shore. I am a Divemaster, and yet I could not hold a candle to where Michael had been diving, what he had done, or seen.
Quite frankly I am not sure I could have brought anything up that he had not at least tried. Shortly after hearing the words, Michael Reeves is dead, I took my son to college orientation at his Jesuit University, where I heard the Chaplain talk about the fact that Ignatius truly wanted people to be “soul persons.” Yes, it was the hope that they be smart, learned, but more than that they be people of character, of conscience, of integrity and feeling for the world around them, persons that engaged that world, balanced in mind and heart, soul persons.
From a staff report on ProSoundWeb:
Mark Terry, Kaman Music president, reflects, “I first got to know Michael 24 years ago traveling with him throughout China and Southeast Asia doing JBL product demos and dealer visits long before it was fashionable to sell in that part of the world. His audio knowledge and sales skills were world class. But it was his passion for life and infectious enthusiasm that made him stand out as someone truly special. I was fortunate to know him personally, as well as professionally, and he was always a man of character, honesty, and integrity. He was a good man and I am proud to have known him. Michael loved life, he loved his family, and he loved the pro audio industry. We are all going to miss him.”
Simon Jones, vice president of sales and business development at Line 6 and a long-time friend and colleague, shares, “I believe Michael’s biggest competitor in business and his personal life was himself. This gave him an insatiable drive that was truly infectious as anyone who spent time with him knows. He was a fantastic educator, mentor and above all exceptional friend. We lost him way too soon but I know he will always be there pushing us along to do our very best.”