Michael William Leiser

Mike was born May 21,1944 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to William Leiser and Thyra Dugdale Leiser. He grew up in Salt Lake, but spent his summers in Kamas Valley, Utah with his Aunts, Uncle and Cousins on their farms. There he learned how to work hard. He got his work ethic from those tough farmers.

He played some football in high school, but had to stop due to a serious shoulder injury, which haunted him for the rest of his life. Then came skiing. Mike was an avid skier for many years. He was on Ski Patrol for some time. He liked to tell stories of riding avalanches down the shoots after they had been loosened by gunfire. There was no turning to be done, you just went straight down with them. Pretty hair raising! We met each other on the slopes of Solitude Resort in Utah and were instantly attracted. We picked each other up at the chair lift. Three months later we ran off together to elope to Elko, Nevada. We were married in the basement of the Elko County courthouse. Not very elegant, to say the least

In the early days we were pretty dirt poor. Mike took various jobs, whatever he could find. I earned $1.25 per hour working the job of three people in an upscale department store. We managed somehow.

Then his Grandfather offered to pay him the same amount he was earning pretax while he went to school to get an education. That was the opportunity that got him on his feet. He went for an Associates Degree in electronics, getting excellent grades.

Then he got an offer to work for Motorola in the Phoenix, AZ area. We moved there. However, neither of us liked Phoenix. After a year there he got an offer to come to the NW and work for Mosler Safe & Alarm. We moved to Portland and never looked back. We instantly fell in love with the beauty and green here.

When I got pregnant, Mike figured it was time to get serious about a career. Although he resisted going into sales, I urged him to take an offer he had received from Almac Stroum Electronics. Turns out he was a great salesman after all. His warmth and friendly nature served him well.

Some time later he went into business with Paul Craig to start their own company, Component Resources, Inc. That first year the two guys and their spouses (me and Joan) worked for no pay to get things going. We bet everything we had on that little startup firm. Soon, they had 7 employees. As time went on the company grew and thrived, reaching 125 employees. The company provided piece parts and non active components to high tech manufacturers in the west and across the country. Mike set up a plan for those employees who wanted to further their education where they were reimbursed for the school costs if they got passing grades. Several employees received Masters degrees, BAs, BSs or Associates degrees. This was Mike's way of paying it forward, in honor of what his Grandfather had done for him. He was always very proud of the impact that had on peoples' lives.

After 20 years with a very successful business, they sold it. Mike was able to retire at age 55. He spent the rest of his life having a great time and living life to the fullest. We traveled a lot, saw much of the world. I kept on working as a Financial Advisor.

Then came bicycling. His best friend Doug, pretty much dared him into doing Cycle Oregon. These were a couple of older guys, out of shape and totally inexperienced! They spent many years cycling together. Mike did 6 Cycle Oregon rides. Doug and Mike's longest ride was from Calgary, Canada back to Portland. Eventually, they were joined by a group, formerly known as the "gym rats". This bunch did many fun and adventurous rides around the west and into Canada. They had a blast together!

Years passed. Some friends died, others moved away, but the group has still kept in touch. A few of them continued to ride indoors, connected with a computer image to share the ride of the day and chat on Skype, as they rode to keep in shape. It was much safer than on the road.

Mike was also a friend of Bill W. for the last 15 years of his life. What a life changer that was for him! He made so many friends and encouraged so many people along the way. He is so well thought of in those meetings.

In 2019 Mike was diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer. He had surgery and survived, went back to riding again. However, he never really fully regained his strength, try as he might. His body seemed to be diminishing. We just chalked it up to age, until this January. Things got very scary and we asked for help from the medical community to figure out what was wrong. After extensive testing they determined he had ALS. We think he has likely had it for 4-5 years, thinking back on things that happened. ALS is a brutal, non-curable, degenerative disease. We were devastated. Since January his rate of weakening and diminishment have accelerated greatly.

Through this time we have opened our home to receive the outpouring of love and affection that so many people have for him. It has been like a river of love flowing through our front door. Friends, family. loved ones have come from far and near to visit with Mike while they could. It has been so incredibly heart warming for us. We are so grateful for the time he was given to visit with, say good bye, and hear words of love with each and every one of you. Thank you.

Mike is survived by myself, Bonnie Leiser wife of 59 years; our wonderful son, Walker and his girlfriend, Heather; our two beloved granddaughters, Ashlin and Mikaylin (who love him so much).

Mike was always that warm and personable guy that everyone liked. He had such a gift of gab and could put the toughest customer at ease. Story telling was one of his greatest fortes. He will be remembered and loved by so many. He was a good man; he was a gentle man.