Michael Craig Lind

Mike Lind passed away suddenly March 2, 2018, in the Spokane Valley while driving to work. Mike was born March 13, 1948, in Chewelah, Washington to mother Betty Skidmore Lind and father Charles Henry Lind. The family resided on a farm west of Arden, Washington. Mike, moved with the family to Sagle, Idaho, and a year later to paternal grandparent’s farm at Addy, Washington. Mike attended elementary rural schools in Addy and Arden and finished elementary school in Colville. Mike completed the 7th and 8th 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, 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. Mike was extremely smart and was fascinated with everything; he was a tinkerer, a sort of lay person inventor and created things and systems when his busy work allowed 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; and 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; grandchildren; as well as, many nieces and nephews. His father, Charles, and stepmother, Gen, preceded his death. A Rosary will be held at St. Josephs in Otis Orchards at 6:30 on Thursday, March 8. The Memorial Service will be held at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N Division, Spokane, WA, at 2:00 PM on Friday, March 9, 2018. A celebration of life reception will be held following at the Eagles Lodge Aerie #2, 6410 N Lidgerwood,Spokane.