i think i met you before but all i remember of you is by my dad. he truly loved you.

Condolence to the family of the late Michael Elmo Drilling.

Your will be always love and remembered...
From Rose  🇵🇭

Assisted natural  regenerative forestry...
Elmo mentored many people..
He was a wonderful friend of Nature..
Rest In Peace 


I knew Mike when he was in grade school at St. Benedict's.  We kept in touch through high school although at different catholic schools.  Last I saw him was at my bachelor party a few days before I was married in 1980.

I used to call him Drilling and he called me by my last name.  We'd ride our bikes up the hill to school many days and play football with a tiny ball during lunchtime with Mark and Gary 2 on 2.   He was always a lot of fun to be around then and I wished I'd known him when I got older... but we never saw each other after 1980.

I hope he is at piece now and I'll plant a tree to remember him.

Don

As a schoolmate at St Benedict's Catholic School, I knew him only as "Michaeldrilling". He was the cutest boy in school and I always had a crush on Michaeldrilling. He was kind and polite. Because he was friends with my brother, Bill, I was able to talk with him on the playground or at our house. I left St Benedict's in 5th grade, but never forgot Michaeldrilling. I am so sad to hear of his passing and send my sincere condolences.

Dear Katie and the Drilling Family,
I was so very sorry to hear of the recent passing of your brother Michael. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.  Please know that Michael will always be in your heart with all the beautiful memories you treasure and hold dear.  He will be with you forever in your heart ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.
Love,
Maureen McGloin 

I was fortunate to have worked and played with Elmo mainly in Vietnam, but also elsewhere in SE Asia. He was perhaps the most fun person I have worked with in the field and I learned so much from him that I keep to this day. I can't look at a piece of wood, a tree or a forest in the same way. Every moment with Elmo was a joy. He exuded warmth, humility, enthusiasm and a very cheeky disposition. He had some many funny stories. Laughter was never far away, but nor was he frivolous when it came to his passion for forests, trees and ecological sustainability. I am so sorry to hear of his passing, but lucky for him that he was doing what he loved in his beloved forest that I had heard so much about, I almost feel I've been there. We'll all miss him. I'll drink a Jim Beam to his memory and plant a tree in our garden in London. 

I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of a phenomenal man. May you find peace  in the great times and memories you had with him. Sending my deepest condolences. With peace and love, Porsha Hands

Elmo, as all of us in grad school at NCSU knew him, was one of the most unique individuals we were ever privileged enough to call friend. Our paths first crossed in North Carolina in the mid-80s, but we maintained a close friendship for many years thereafter. We would encounter Elmo again far and wide, from Indonesia to Vietnam, from New York to Indiana, and everywhere he went he brought his undauntable spirit and sense of humor with him. And that, the joy, the curiosity, the zest for life, he shared everywhere, with everyone. We were the great recipients of that joie de vivre. Elmo continues to be a trail blazer, embarking before us on the next leg of this journey, leaving us with one-of-a-kind memories and the warmed hearts of those touched by his, well, Elmo-ness. Gone but never forgotten dear friend, Joedai

Dear Family and dear friends of Elmo, It is with disbelief that I digest this very sad and shocking news of the passing of Elmo! Elmo was truly an amazing and a remarkable individual.  My heart is broken with this sad news.  
May you rest in peace. We will all miss you Elmo. God bless you. It was a pleasure  ands an honor to be your friend! 💙Love , Joan Hilliker

To the entire Drilling Family,
I was shocked to hear that Michael passed away.  I am so sorry for your heartbreaking loss. I’m including this photo because I have fond memories of hanging out across the street at your house, swimming in your pool, Lovegroves, etc.
This photo of Michael, myself and my brother Phil was taken in 1970.  Michael always had a twinkle in his eye and is gone too soon.  All my love, Sue


Elmo was a great ‘buddy’. Everyone should have a buddy – someone with whom you can just hang out – and we were buds. We hit it off right away – I could tell he was a random data point. 

He was up for almost anything. He radiated ‘living life’. He was so good natured, he rolled with the punches, and I never heard a cross word from him about anyone. 

Visiting him and the rest of the family in Buffalo was an added pleasure. 

Without him, I would never have discovered the Outer Banks, Ocracoke, and wind-surfing, for which I will be eternally grateful. 

I am so thankful I looked him up through Martha & Donna a couple of years ago and we reconnected, for which I will be forever thankful

He will be in my thoughts and memories every day.


Nothing but wonderful memories from our years together at Cardinal O'Hara and time on the football field.  What a wonderful life.  My compost bin was just renamed in Mike's honor.  So sorry for your loss.   

My sincere condolences to the Drilling family. 
I first met Elmo back in 1989 in Jakarta and ever since, we stayed in contact. We spent many joyful and memorable hours together in Jakarta and those hours will always bring back good and warm recollections of our friendship. I still recall Elmo’s appreciation of being introduced to a traditional Danish lunch with special Danish herring and not least, Danish Aquavit. It was a must to bring back a bottle when later meeting up in Jakarta. For more than 30 years, our correspondence followed the same pattern lining up the atmosphere such as; sitting in my house/cabin in a cozy chair, rain, listing to Jeff Beck, Mike Stern or whoever, sipping warm coffee or a cold beer. I will deeply miss this set up.
Thank you, Elmo, for your unique and long lasting friendship.

Warm regards,

Sonja


I went to UMO with Elmo.  He was a force of nature.  An impressive character.  He ate more than any human should normally hold, introduced me to what " country rock" was really all about and taught me that shaving your head was generally a bad idea.  I moved to Asia many, many years ago and knew he was in the area but never caught up with him.  Now, I never will.  That's a reminder to give some of your time to old acquaintances who are still around.  It's all we have.

My sincere condolences to the Drilling Family on the loss of Mike (Elmo).  He was such a unique, sincere,  knowledgeable, generous, gracious and very humorous man! Elmo had a way of accepting everyone he met, and thus he became everyone's friend!

I first met him our senior year at O'Hara, but our friendship really grew after our paths crossed again in 2006. We shared a love of the outdoors and nature. We took woods walks, marked tree plots at his cabin, went x-country skiing, and had numerous bonfires enhanced with good food, friends, beer, wine, and coffee. He showed me different and better ways to build a bonfire! Elmo patiently taught me how to properly prune trees and bushes. He even taught me how to safely use a chain saw! Elmo's wonderful tales of his work and travels  encouraged me to travel and volunteer in SE Asia.  And after every Bills game he would text me his synopsis of the game! 

But  my favorite part of any activity I ever shared with Elmo was his humorous, enlightening and engaging conversation. I learned so much from him.

Thank you Elmo for being such a true blessing in my life and the lives of so many others! 

Rest in Peace my friend!

Jeanne

( March 2013 @ his Cabin in the Woods)

I knew Mike and his wonderful father from our days at Bishop Ryan High School. We were never close friends. Nonetheless, Mike came up to me at one of the Ryan reunions, I think at St Francis HS, and reminded me of some of the beautiful memories I have of high school. Truly a remarkable man. I wish the entire Drilling family peace, knowing that Mike touched many hearts.

Sue,
I'm so sorry about the loss of your brother and hope you have wonderful memories of him to hold in your heart. 
Betty

To the Drilling family, our sincerest condolences to you for the loss of Michael.  No time is easy to loose a loved one,  but so suddenly, and so young must make it even harder.  Our thoughts and prayers to you at this very difficult time from the Edwards family.
Georgiann, Gerry, and Chris

To the Beautiful, loving Drilling family,
I am so sorry for your loss of wonderful, unique Michael, who loved each one of you, very much.  He was a happy man, all the way through, and he shared that joy with those who knew him.  My earliest memory of him is him walking around his neighborhood maybe collecting for his paper route, wearing knee high lace up Indian-style mocassins and singing out loud.  Just happy.  Like Monika, this will be my year to (finally) compost.   

My heartfelt condolences to the Drilling Family for your loss.

Many of us who knew Elmo from days together in Raleigh and Jakarta will remember him fondly. The much-needed, week-long, post-exams grad student vacations on Ocracoke Island that he arranged through his sister and brother-in-law. The “free” - as in two six-packs of beer - windsurfing lessons that he gave to anyone with the notion that they could do what he made look so easy. The intricate way that he explained things, motioning with his fingers pinched together just above his eyes while demonstrating how “this has to go there” and “then that goes under here” for, …well, just about anything. Always ready to host or attend a gathering of good food, drink and music. The slightly devilish look from the top of his eyes when telling a story about getting away with something as a child, which underscored what he said was his siblings’ claim that he was the “apple of his mother’s eye.” Of course he, not so convincingly, disagreed.

Warm regards,
Denise


Elmo was a great, kind,  patient, caring, funny and lovely man.  He had contributed a lot for my  career and to get my life to this point.  So many good things that I’ve shared with him when we’re together. Even though we  separated, we were still sharing our journey all the time.  His passion working in the field to help farmers was incredible. My family in Indonesia and I were so devastated losing him.  Rest in peace Elmo. His  legacy still remain in my family house in Bogor.  We will take care the kitchen and the bathroom that he built for my family.  And we will continue do composting on  our back yard. He will be missed dearly.  He’s gone from my sight but never from my heart. 


Mike was truly one of the best and most genuine people I have ever met.  He inspired everyone around him to appreciate nature and our beautiful planet.  He made us aware of the many steps we can take to preserve the beauty around us.  We had some very good days together, having a few beers with friends and his lovely family, listening to his many amazing adventure stories from his extensive travels and just being happy to be alive in this world.   My dedication to Michael will be to finally start composting.  I know this was a cause dear to his heart.  My deepest regret is that we do not have more time to spend together.                     

Dear Drillings,
My mom and I send our prayers and sympathy to all of you. It was a shock to see that Mike had died. We have many great memories of Mike and your family when we were all much younger...(Loved the photo Donna posted) so many summer pool parties on Ivyhurst and your family visiting us “out in the country”. I remember thinking of you like cousins! May God bless and comfort all of you.
Kathleen Iwanski and Monica Iwanski Stange

Along time ago in Borneo... Conservation and timber and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and politics in one of the remotest places left on Earth. Elmo, thinking of you...

Mike and I graduated from O’Hara together. He joined our class after Archbishop Ryan closed and his dad came to coach football. Mike always had a smile and a joke and he treated people like he knew them forever! He loved his family fiercely and I know they loved him! He will be missed!

Mike was a kind, warm and gentle soul. His calming nature was a gift to all of us.  He was my blood brother but he was a "brother" to many others.  Mike never met a stranger, appreciated nature and loved everyone. He will be missed terribly by many.  Keep those gardens  weeded and trees pruned in heaven! 

My memories of your dearest brother Michael are branded in my youth... and they make me smile.  I remember swimming in your swimming pool and, as a young  teenager, I remember his flirtatious behavior.  I remember watching as he dove off the garage roof and into the swimming pool.  (Did that really happen?)  
I remember his laugh, his jokes, fishing,  and going to live bluegrass music festivals and shows. I remember the red sedan he drove.  
I remember watching football and baseball games. He was such a good athlete!  
I remember the beer, the laughs and the simple times.
So many wonderful, funny, and great times...there are too many memories that flood my memory to write down.

My heart is heavy.  I am so sorry for your loss.  Grief is hard.  May the love God and the strength of the Holy Spirit give you the strength to remember the best days, the days of innocence, the simplest of times, and, mostly, how he made your smile... 
He would want you to remember him and smile...

Mike will always be ageless, fun-loving and loved by all.  His memory will always  make me smile.
God Bless you all.
Love
Theresa (Mazzone) Roberts

So sorry to hear this Jim and Lynn and the whole Drilling family. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. God bless.

My dearest Karen,
My heart breaks for you all. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.    I have enjoyed the stories you have shared with me about Mike over the last couple of years.    May God comfort you and give you peace as only He can.  
Love you Kate.

I first met Elmo when we entered the Peace Corps together in 1978. Elmo was definitely one of the craziest of our Philippines Peace Corps group of agroforesters and he naturally developed friendships with everyone he encountered. We shared a lot of challenges and frustrations as Peace Corps Volunteers, but I think we all have a better memory of all the wild and crazy times -- and Elmo was inevitably in the thick of most of them!  When I returned to the Philippines four years after completing my Peace Corps service, Elmo was still there -- supporting farmers in their agroforestry efforts and doing his best to keep the San Miguel brewery profits at record levels.  I helped convince Elmo to return to the U.S. and study at NC State, where we had endless good times before we all went our separate ways.  I'm blessed to have kept in close contact over the years, personally and professionally.  I often recommended Elmo to work with various agroforestry projects, saying, "If you want someone who really knows agroforestry and someone who can work in the field with farmers and share practical experience, Elmo's the guy for you.  If you want someone to write you a report, look for someone else!"  Elmo was one of the most knowledgeable field agroforesters I've ever known and he was always extremely generous in sharing his knowledge.  Of course, I have to note Elmo's avid loyalty to the Bills.  As a Packer fan, I was just recently exchanging messages with Elmo about the prospects for our long-anticipated Packers-Bills Super Bowl! Elmo was a great friend, a dedicated conservationist, and a marvelous positive force.  He'll long be remembered for the good he brought to the world, the laughs he generated, and his generosity and caring for everyone he encountered in life.

I knew Elmo when he was living in Raleigh,  NC in the early/mid 1980’s. Most of the gang was attending NCSU. I was in Animal Science but I spent most of my time with the Forestry group. Elmo was such a fund loving person and will never forget the smile. He drove a blue VW Beetle with a white blaze down the side (of course!).   I will miss you... 

Our family picture 1963- Mike is on 2nd row from the top, far left (in front of our mom.)

OBITUARY

Michael Elmo Drilling

April 12, 1954 – January 14, 2021

Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home

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A Celebration of Michael's Life will be held at a later date.