Mike and went to high school together but we never talked after graduation. I always had positive memories of him and as a 40 year high school reunion was approaching I tried without success to find him, until I saw him on the reunion deceased list. It is interesting to read the comments about him because they are so consistent with how he was in high school. Reading about him makes me wish I had stayed in touch.

Mike is/was a special guy to everyone.  Regardless of who you were, what you did, Mike cared. He told me once he asked his long time taxi driver what he thought... he explained to treat EVERYONE with dignity and respect, as we all mattered.  He liked and listened to that driver, and everyone the same way. 
I would respond be careful of those you meet on your way up, you’ll meet on your way down.  
Mike now, in my opinion, sees us all.  I hope you were right, Mike.  
You are already missed.   Rest In Peace my Friend. 
Crystal Heflin

It was my privilege and pleasure to know Mike from my work at the State Department years ago. Though we didn't have as many opportunities to interact when I went changed jobs, we did stay in touch. We always exchanged Christmas cards, and I can still see Mike's distinctive handwriting. As I think about it, it was actually very emblematic of the man himself:  open, happy, and welcoming.

We had lunch together a year or so ago, while I still lived in the WashDC area. As was always the case, I found it uplifting and reassuring to be in Mike's delightful company. He was brimming with goodwill and good information, all of which he was happy to share. It just wasn't possible to be in Mike's company without smiling a lot and taking comfort in the knowledge that there are still such decent and caring people in the world. In that vein, the world is already a darker place without the light and delight that Mike brought to everyone who knew him. 

Mike and I did talk quite a bit about Phoenix, his hometown and now mine was well. We had always intended to get together out here sometime ... I'm sorry we never made that happen. 
 
I cannot even begin to imagine the depths of the grief and loss that Mike's family must feel right now. I can only pray that his loved ones will find comfort in knowing that he had many friends and admirers, and that we all knew just how special and unique a person he was.

I have had the honor and privilege of knowing Mike for nearly 40 years, and from the moment I first met him, I instantly knew he was an exceptional human being. He was a dear friend of my husband, Bill, and a groomsman in our wedding. When you talked to Mike, he made you feel like nothing else mattered but you and your conversation. He knew the name of every person in your family and asked specifically about each one of them. Mike actually cared. He was kind, honest, generous and a true gentleman. The world has lost a beautiful soul, but heaven has gained a genuine angel! Joel, Bill and I are here for you, as Mike was always there for us. You are in our thoughts and prayers — and we send love and heartfelt condolences to you, and each person that Mike touched, in his 57 incredible years.  ❤️

So sorry to hear about this.  My condolences to the family.  Mike and I were classmates at Kachina and Arcadia.   RIP.

Mike was an incredible friend and colleague. When you saw Mike, you were always met with a smile and a kind word. He was generous with his time, advice and counsel. I will miss him greatly and so will the aviation community. Blessings to his family. May the care and love of those around you provide comfort and peace to get you through the days ahead.

I would like to convey to Michael's family, relatives and friends my most sincere and heartfelt condolences. 

Michael was one of the most genuinely friendly and kind person I met since moving to DC last Summer. He took the time to reach out and always cared for my (and my family's) well-being and adaptation in DC's life. Not only will I miss his professional aviation expertise and sensibility, I will also miss, like many of us who were fortunate to know him or work with him, his friendship and humanity. 

Michael, because of who and how he was, will remain in our memories.  

 

I thoroughly enjoyed working with Mike over my 20 years at NAV CANADA. He was always well informed and worked diligently in the best interests of his client. We collaborated closely in ensuring that US-based stakeholders and media had a sound understanding of the nature, goals and achievements of the private-sector Canadian Air Navigation System. I was proud to know Mike as a valued colleague and friend, and am very sorry to hear this sad news. 

My deepest sympathies to Joel on the loss of his beloved brother and best friend, Mike Korens.  My own life has been very enriched - professionally and personally - by knowing Mike.  He was an exceptional colleague and friend.  I will miss working with him and debating our favorite NBA teams.   Godspeed Mike Korens!

I have had the privilege of knowing Mike for 25 years.  We first met when he staffed the Senate Aviation Subcommittee on the US/UK Air Service negotiations.  I was 'on the other side' but that didn't stop us getting along famously.  We reconnected several years later when I was posted to the British Embassy in Washington DC.  The generous man that Mike was, introduced me to his friends and contacts in the DC aviation community - and there were many.  I will always be grateful to Mike for encouraging me to attend the International Aviation Conference in Phoenix where I met my now husband.  Mike became so much more than a business contact.  I am honoured to have been able to call him my friend.   Over many lunches we talked of foreign travel, his love of Phoenix and San Francisco, and we laughed.  Mike was such a generous man giving advice and facilitating introductions freely.  He was a kind hearted person and he will leave a big hole in the aviation community near and far, and to me personally.  Rest well my friend. 
Judith

I met Mike in 1980  at Rollins College and we would be life long friends since then. Mike truly was like a brother to many. I have never personally known a better man than Mike. He was an old soul, kind and generous , with never a bad word to say about anyone; his heart was filled with goodness. He loved and protected his family and had a special relationship with his Mother and Joel with whom he loved to travel with  to exotic locations. I could always rely on Mike to keep me up to date regarding who was doing what from college. He  knew everyone and kept in touch with them  In college, Mike and I  spent a semester at American Univ. In DC. where we roomed together. Mike made a mean dorm-room beef stroganoff, such good times.  Of course,  Mike knowing so many people set me up with an internship  working  for U. S. Sen. Dennis DeConcini from Az. There aren’t many college juniors who could set something like that up, but Mike was not like most  people.  For over 40 years I am proud to call Mike a friend and brother. He was always there for me, my wife, and  four children. I was proud to pick Mike as a groomsman at my wedding and recently found a picture taken before the wedding. Mike made everyone he touched a better person for knowing him. Mike was always  “My friend Mike from DC who is the smartest, most decent, kindest person I have ever known”.  I suspect anyone reading this already knows this.  We will miss you Mike, but we will never forget you. Rest in peace my friend.  

Mike was the most remarkable gentleman. We first met when I was at Emirates Airline and we hired Mike and John Byerly to be our advisers from about 2007 or ‘08 onwards. Over my six years in Dubai, Mike and John were infallible advisers. From small to very large issues, he guided us in the US with grace, thought, wisdom and calm. He was always calm. Every visit to DC, four times a year,  over a wine for me and a Coke for Mike at the Blue Duck Tavern, we’d always have a non-work catch up. His travels. Africa. Photos. Family. Arizona. Politics. A little gossip. Mike never had a bad word on anyone. I could talk bluer than a sailor on a competitor airline and he’d laugh and return to gentler Washington tales. When I returned to Australia we retained Mike at Qantas and again he helped us enormously. The amount of time we spent over 14 years at the Starbucks next to US DOT building is incalculable. Mike adored his family and his brother. Joel was not only an amazing sibling but I suspect helped Mike daily on technology given he was perhaps not the most likely person to get a new iPhone 11 hot off the shelves. I loved especially the many times we got together in Phoenix for those aviation summits. An outdoor BBQ talking work and life. Rest well Mike. You have been a great friend and counsel for two decades. You will be greatly missed. RIP  

I had just arrived in Washington D.C. in summer 2014, when I met Mike at an IAC luncheon. I was immediatly touched by his kind,  exceptional personality. Once he learned that I was new in town, he started introducing me to many other attendees and, before I knew it,  I felt I already know half the aviation community in D.C.  The relationship that started with a luncheon continued like this. We had regular luncheons for all these years (one just a few weeks ago), and it was always the greatest experience and pleasure indeed to learn from such a distinguished and knowledgable person that Mike was.  
Mike you will be badly missed down here!
My deepest sympathy.

Thomas Mickler
Representative of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to the United States

Mike and I first met in a professional relationship just over 20 years ago. I was so impressed with his character and approach to people that I was soon sending more work his way. In addition, what began as a business relationship soon became a lasting friendship.
Mike was a man of unimpeachable integrity, honor and a determination to try and do what was right whenever he possibly could.
I will miss him so much and deeply mourn his passing.

John Crichton
Retired CEO, Nav Canada

 Mike had been an knowledgeable adviser for the German Embassy for decades and we are more than grateful for this.  When I arrived in Washington in Summer 2018, Mike was one of the first people in the transportation community I made acquaintance and he has become a friend soon.  We regularly met and I always benefited from his great knowledge and experience in the aviation sector. He will always be kept in fond memory and commemoration. I will terribly miss this fine and decent man.
With deepest sympathy,
Lothar Neuhoff
Transportation Counselor
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany




I met Mike while working in the US Senate.  One day I "inherited" aviation issues and that led to meeting Mike.  He was a good friend, helped me learn what I needed to know and always had time for my questions.  He was a fierce foe when our bosses were on opposite sides and gracious in both victory and defeat.  He was always willing to help and reached out when I was going through job changes providing support, guidance and a few much needed laughs.  In my home state of Maine we refer to folks like Mike as being "the finest kind".  My condolences to his family.  

A posting at the Embassy of France in 2007 led to my happy encounter, followed by a long-standing acquaintance with Mike - one of the great blessings of my professional life, but also a constant source of friendship for our whole family. Melanie and I have a particularly fond memory of sharing an evening with Mike at the Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria to listen to Al Stewart. Mike was a generous and steadfast friend and colleague whose loss will be felt very widely and very deeply. 

I knew Mike through the Brosie family. He was always so kind to me, and such a wealth of information. Whenever he spoke, I would listen in awe at his knowledge and his seemingly easy method of sharing it so anyone could understand, regardless the subject matter. Although we were never particularly close friends, he was always quick to respond to an email or phone call of mine, which speaks volumes of the kind of man he was, salt of the Earth, would give someone the shirt off his back if they needed it. He was one of a kind. so grateful to have known him. 

Having worked for the transportation section  of the Dutch Embassy before my retirement, I knew Mike for more than 20 years. I treasure many fond memories of the lunches and meetings we shared over the years. He was inspirational and knowledgeable with an unmeasurable  kindness. The aviation community in Washington has lost one of its best.  My sincere condolences to the family for this sudden incomprehensible loss.

Cornelia Neal

OBITUARY

Michael Korens

13 April, 1962 – 1 March, 2020

Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery

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