Michael Schaaf Klueh, 64, of Evansville, IN and Grand Rapids, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 15, 2019 in Grand Rapids. Born on September 18, 1954, in Jasper, IN, Mike was passionate about his family, his work, his education and his efforts to help others.
Mike graduated from Reitz Memorial High School in 1973, where he played football and was a member of the wrestling and track teams. He continued his studies at Indiana University where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Lambda Chapter. He transferred to the University of Evansville and graduated with a BS in Business and Accountancy. Active on UE’s campus, Mike affiliated with Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Zeta Beta Chapter and was a member of the Purple Aces football team. He was passionate about education and went on to earn an MBA as well as a Masters of Health Administration from the University of Evansville and a Masters of Accountancy from the University of Southern Indiana. His executive positions in health care led Mike to pursue and complete both a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Administration from Kennedy Western University and Executive Juris Doctor in Health Law from Kaplan University, Concord Law School. He graduated with Honors and was a Distinguished Scholar.
For the last three years, Mike served as Vice President of Compliance for Spectrum Health, a large not-for-profit health care system based in Grand Rapids, MI. Prior to his move to Grand Rapids, Mike spent 19 years in various executive leadership roles with St. Mary’s Medical Center of Evansville, IN., most recently as the Vice President, Chief Risk and Corporate Responsibility Officer. His early career included positions as the Chief Financial Officer with Charter Behavioral Health and Alexander Ambulance Service/Mercy Ambulance Services, and as an Accountant and CPA with Deaconess Hospital and Gaither, Koewler, Rohlfer, Luckett and Co.
Mike was active outside the boardroom and classroom as well. In his youth as a Boy Scout, he achieved the level of Eagle Scout. His interest in underwater diving resulted in his proficiency in the sport to the level of teaching SCUBA classes, holding numerous diving certifications. He was a corporate field trainer for Dive Rescue International for almost ten years. He was instrumental in restarting the Dive Rescue Team for the Evansville Fire Department, an accomplishment of which he was particularly proud. As a licensed paramedic, he also served as a Flight Paramedic for Welborn Baptist Hospital’s LifeFlight, and was a volunteer Firefighter/Paramedic and Captain-Diving Operations and Training for the Knight/Scott/McCutchanville volunteer fire departments. Mike was an avid cyclist, mini-marathoner, and fitness advocate.
Mike was a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, where he earned the Folimer Bronze Merit Award for outstanding service. He was certified and affiliated with sixteen professional organizations. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Grand Rapids. He was also a beloved member of the Camp Ondessonk community in Ozark, IL., where he spent many summers as a camper and counselor.
Once their children began school, Mike and his wife Martha became the #1 cheerleader to encourage and support their academic and athletic interests…from grade school through college. Their love of family continued with their grandchildren, as Mike was a proud husband, father and grandfather.
Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lee and Patricia (Schaaf) Klueh. He is survived by his loving wife, Martha Nell (Riffle) Klueh of Evansville; children Elizabeth (Jeff) Freitag of Evansville, Michael (Emily) Klueh of Ann Arbor, MI, and Mary (Svetoslav Saev) Klueh of Grand Rapids, MI; granddaughters, Evelyn Freitag, Eleanor Freitag, and Adeline Klueh; brothers, Doug (Kathy) Klueh of Melbourne, Australia and Scott (Linda Barth) Klueh of Evansville and sister Nancy (John) Byrd of The Villages, FL; and eight nephews and three nieces.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 24, 2019, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1301 South Green River Road, Evansville, IN, officiated by Fr. Bernard Etienne. Friends may visit Friday from 2:00 to 7:00 PM, with a vigil service at 7pm at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Road 261, Newburgh, IN, and Saturday from 10:30 AM until service time at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to It Takes a Village No Kill Rescue, 1417 N. Stockwell Road, Evansville, IN 47715.
