Michael Anthony Schroeder

Mike was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and graduated from Eldorado High School in 2000. He went on to graduate magma cum laude from Metro State College in Denver, Colorado, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Following his passion for mental health, he then pursued a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Psychology with a focus on Co-occurring Disorders at the University of Colorado. Although he was only enrolled for a short period before his diagnosis, his time at U of C was transformational. The experience he gained through his studies, his professors, and his peers shaped his perspective during the last five years of his life, and was a source of solace and strength as he navigated his illness.

In addition to his studies, Mike was a treasured bartender at his home away from home, Sputnik. He began working the door before eventually moving up to bar-back, then bartender, then manager. The Sputnik owners and staff became his second family, and they supported him unconditionally through the end of his life. He was known for his kindness and ability to listen (as well as his entertaining antics), and he formed an incredible community of friends and patrons.

Mike had wonderful sense humor and an insatiable curiosity. Called a “modern Renaissance man” by his friends, Mike excelled at whatever piqued his interest. He learned to play almost any instrument he touched. He loved travel, photography, drawing, bullet journaling, leather working, and flying his drone to create dramatic landscape videos. In the last few years, he channeled his energy into building a Lego universe, which enabled him to connect with his creativity and ingenuity during the hardest of times.

You can see his creations and animations on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/live_and_let_lego/

He is survived by his partner Sara Taricco, his brother Peter Schroeder, his sister Kate Schroeder and her partner John Manderbach, his mother Robyn Elliott and stepfather Ken Elliott, his father Steve Schroeder and stepmother Kay Ballinger, and his cats, Wednesday and Max.

His deepest wish was for everyone to stop smoking.

His memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 26th at 3:00 pm at Sputnik.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the University of Colorado Cancer Center General Research Fund: https://giving.cu.edu/fund/cancer-center-general-research-fund.

Follow his tribute page on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/739711800878421/

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AdvantageAurora.com for the Schroeder family.