Obituaries

Dr. Michael Imhoff, age 82, of McKinney, Texas, passed away on December 29 in Denver, Colorado, where he was spending the holidays with his family. He passed away after a sudden severe case of pancreatitis.

Mike was born in Los Angeles, California on December 4, 1942. He graduated from San Gabriel High School in 1960, the University of California at Riverside in 1964, and he earned a Doctorate in Chemistry from the University of Colorado in 1969. He did post-doctoral work at Princeton University from 1969-70. He married Janet Broadhead in 1965 in Camarillo, California.

Mike spent his entire career at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, first as Professor of Chemistry from 1970-99, and then as Vice President of Academic Affairs from 1999-2013. He loved teaching, the AC community, and the many close friendships he made there. He took two sabbaticals during his career: at Indiana University in 1980, and at the University of North Carolina in 1998, and traveled to Japan and China on behalf of the college in 2000. In addition to organic chemistry, Mike had a special interest in Environmental Science and climate change. He served as Climate Chair for the League of Women Voters of Texas in 2021.

In his retirement, Mike served on the Board of Directors of the Heard Natural Science Museum in McKinney. He enjoyed playing golf, fantasy football and baseball, and computer games, such as Clash of Clans. He participated in activities at the Senior Recreation Center in McKinney where he made many friends. Mike and Janet enjoyed travel and made several trips abroad, including Mexico, England and Scotland, Italy, France, Turkey, Peru, Spain, Greece, and the Danube River countries, as well as Germany and the Czech Republic. As a lifelong learner, Mike was teaching himself Spanish throughout his retirement.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Hunter and Esther Coronado Imhoff. He is survived by his wife, Janet, and children, Joshua Imhoff of Coppell and Elizabeth Mabey and her husband Paul of Denver, Colorado. He is also survived by his brother Bill Imhoff and partner Hilde Heidt of Mendocino, California. Mike also left seven grandchildren: Alex, Cole, Ethan, Daniel and Bryce Imhoff of Texas, and Caroline and Nicholas Mabey of Colorado. His grandchildren were very special to him and he loved spending time with them.

A memorial service will be held at Austin College Wynne Chapel in Sherman, Texas, on February 1 at 2 PM, followed by a reception. Donations in memory of Mike can be made to Austin College.

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at www.dannelfuneralhome.com.