I worked with Mike on several projects at Viasat.  He was always very focused and trying to create the best designed he could even when it was difficult.  Once in a while I would throw something out that would make him laugh and break out of that for a few minutes.  That was always fun.  I hope others have learned from him and will follow his examples.  He will be missed very much!

Michael will be missed.   He was always very driven to achieve and through this I learned a great deal.  Michael added a rare combination of focused leadership along with animated excitement.  During great challenges he would help us refocus with a stern "Keep your eye on the prize".  My favorite sayings which Michael was quick to add after a challenging success are: "Winner, winner chicken dinner!"  , and "You're making me - Slap Happy!", both said with animated glee!   He was fond of referring to me as "Captain Obvious" from time to time in jest.  I will always look back at the precious time I had with Michael with fondness.

I had the pleasure of working with Mike on our CB Potts program.  He was an integral part of making that program a success.  I loved his passion and dry sense of humor.  He will be greatly missed!  My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

I am so saddened to hear the news, my heart goes out to Chris and Mike’s family and friends.  Our friendship began on a KDKB ski trip and continued throughout the years.  Mike and Chris were always ready and willing to meet me at Los Dos Molinos whenever I was in town and I always looked forward to catching up over some HOT food and kick ass margaritas.  My visits to LDM will never be the same.  Mikey will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him, “that’s a true statement”.  
RIP Mikey


I'm so sorry for the loss of Mike. I had the pleasure of working with him for some time here at Viasat. I'm keeping him and his family in my prayers.

Mike was a very nice soul.  I will miss him and his smile.  RIP Mike you will certainly be missed.
Virginia Hernandez

I had the pleasure of meeting Mikey over 20 years ago on a KDKB ski trip in Telluride.  We connected on many levels and took a few more ski trips together over the years including one up in Whistler Canada.  I was always impressed with his discipline (100 sit ups and pushups a day) as well as his commitment to his health and well being with his diet (ok the extreme heat from Los Dos Molinas entrees is questionable), exercise and mental well being.   The World is poorer without Mikey in it:) My heart aches for Chris, Mike's family and all his friends.   I will keep his memory alive in my heart and mind and strive to live fully each day.

I met Mike 2 years ago at Viasat during these crazy days of teleconferencing.  Mike and I spoke on a daily basis.  I quickly learned that Mike was very passionate about his work both in expectations and enjoyment.  The one thing I admired about Mike was when his passion did show up unexpectedly, he was just as fast to acknowledge and own it.  There were many other good memories that our team and I have been able to enjoy and keep. The only fail was I never got that beverage that we talked about so often.

I had the pleasure of working with Mike and getting to know him for the past 4-5 years and feel fortunate to call him a friend.  I always enjoying his bulldog tenacity and willingness to do whatever it took to get the job done as well as his great sense of humor!  As others have said, beneath the tough exterior was a heart of gold!  I’ll miss you Mike, God Bless!

Robert Berg

I first met Mike in 1996 when I joined CCC, I was lucky to have worked with him & learn under him.  For those of you that knew him long enough knew that he was a tough cookie to get to know but once you did you were lucky to do so.  I was lucky enough to get to know him & be his friend the past 26 years, good times & bad.  I hated seeing him leave CCC for Viasat, not only did we lose a key member to the success of Comtech but we also lost someone we could work & joke with on a daily basis.

Too many life & golf stories to go into here but he was a fun person to be around. He took work & life seriously but he also enjoyed the good times & would help you out in a time of need; a truly good person.  And if he is up there reading this, I still have your Nubbins putter head cover you hated and tried to throw away after a round of golf at Camelback in 2007!  Rest in peace my friend for you will surely be missed and the 2022 Payson golf tournament will be commemorated in your memory.

Attached is a picture from our 2008 Payson tournament, Mike always enjoyed those Payson weekends & our poor golf that we both suffered through!!


I have known Mike since I joined the ‘old’ EF data’ in 1993. Many, many good memories including chair races across the empty manufacturing plant in the infancy of Comtech Communications Corp. (CCC), building a new company, and enjoying a cold beer every once in a while. Mike cared significantly about everything he did and it showed. He was one of the original crew, a great coworker, and very good person. We missed him everyday when he left CEFD for Viasat and will miss running into him on a golf course or restaurant or any place else in the valley. Our prayers are with his family.
Sincerely 
Jeff and Lisa Harig

Mike was a wonderful person.. I was lucky to be his hair stylist for the past 5 years. Had many laughs and funny conversations.   I wil miss him.

Mike had a way of leaving a positive influence with anyone who was around him.  Taken too soon, Vaya Con Dios 🙏🏻.

Mike was a great guy! We ran in the "same circle of friends" in high school. We also stayed in touch while he was in the Navy and after he got out.
Here's  one of my funny memories  of Mike:
 On the last day of school in 1976, Tom and Mike were standing near that gate to the parking lot by the tennis courts. Tom was holding a coronet horn case and other junk. Looked liked he had just cleaned out his locker and stuff from the music room. Mike wasn't holding anything. I knew they were both in band. So I walk up and said... "hey Mike... some freshman is playing your horn in the music room". Hey totally freaked out and started running to the music room. I had to yell out to him that I was just kidding. It took him a couple minutes to regain his composure. 🤭
... at least I didn't let him run all the way over there. 😇
Mike will be missed. I'll miss our camp outs at "Wally World". He was a dependable friend and good man. 😔 

Mike was a great guy & will be sorely missed.  He was a creature of habit & enjoyed his routine.  He was boisterous with an Archie Bunker style of humor, but you had to love him.  Under that tough exterior, he had a heart of gold & was always willing to lend a helping hand.  Mike was fun loving, & we had some great times together.  He left us way too soon, & we will miss seeing his infamous “golf waggle” on the course.  Hit ‘em straight in Heaven, Mike!

OBITUARY

Michael Anthony Wirth

6 April, 1958 – 17 April, 2022

Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery

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