Michael Dolphin, 66

Mike died Sept. 3, 2016, in the early morning hours. He had been aware that he had anthoropy t-cell lymphoma compounded with celiac disease since early April of this year. He chose to continue his life without medical intervention, so the last few months he spent working in his shop, flying to Louisville, Ky., to see his nephew, Shawn Dolphin, and meet his wife, Anabelia. While there, he helped his brother load up a U-Haul truck and they started their adventure driving back to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where his brother, Martin, now lives.

Mike was born to Bertrand and Mary Dolphin in Syracuse, N.Y., in February 1950. The first born male, we can see how this may have shaped his personality. Mike was very curious and very active as a child. He loved football, lacrosse, swimming, and enjoyed weekends with his friends and their sailboats in the Adirondacks after graduation.

He joined the Air Force with the promise of being in the motor pool. He went off to boot camp with visions of Jeeps and trucks to work on. He was selected for telecommunications duty after an aptitude test … That was one test he wanted to retake! He spent his days in a large truck going to the front lines and setting up mobile radio towers. He was once captured by the Army during some military “games.” The Army did not get the message that the Air Force telecommunications truck was out of bounds. After receiving his honorable discharge he decided to stay with telecommunications and accepted employment with Rockwell International in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he had the privilege of helping with the Space Shuttle program.

He was playing on a weekend baseball league in a local park where he met the love of his life, Verna Coleman. She was watching friends play tennis and wandered off. Mike struck up a conversation with her, invited her to a Loretta Lynn concert that evening and she accepted. On the way home, he blew the engine of his 240Z and showed up on Verna’s doorstep in a taxi. He had regaled her earlier with tales of his Cadillac so Verna suggested they drive the Cadillac to the concert. She didn’t understand his lack of enthusiasm. Upon entering the garage Verna was faced with an old Cadillac that had been recently sandblasted by his friend that etched headstones. A remote control airplane was occupying the passenger seat. Before the night was over she discovered the tank held only a few gallons of fuel because of a hole in it and the license tags were expiring at midnight that very evening. The family is wondering why she accepted the offer of a second date!

Mike and Verna said their wedding vows in Nashua, Iowa, on June 16, 1979, at the Little Brown Church in the Vale with the words of “The Church In the Wildwood” playing in the background.

Mike is survived by his wife of 37 years, Verna Coleman; his only brother, Martin Dolphin; his only nephew, Shawn Dolphin; and Shawn’s wife, Anabelia.

We would like to thank Hospice House, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 for taking care of Mike in his final days. There are no words to express their kindness.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Lake City Community Church, 6000 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene. The family requests that you write down a happy memory of Mike to leave with them. Please visit Mike’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.