Michael Stuart Root

Michael (Mike) Stuart Root passed away peacefully on November 22, 2020 after courageously living with Primary Progressive Aphasia, a rare form of Dementia. He was surrounded by his wife and four children at the family home in Seattle, WA. He will be deeply missed. His quick wit, welcoming embrace, sparkling smile and that charm that could melt ice will live on in many hearts.

Mike was born on October 21, 1944, the eighth and final child of Cecelia Alice (Murphy) Root and Stuart Joseph Root in Waseca, Minnesota. He arrived 9 years after the next sibling in line. One sister said he was 4 years old before his feet touched the ground - with the arrival of this little guy who would need a doll? Mike lost his father to cancer when he was 14 and he was raised by his widowed mother, who was also caring for his much older sister with Cerebral Palsy. Some of his most powerful male influences as a maturing teenager included his Dad’s former poker buddies who invited Mike to the table. As Mike neared graduating highschool he knew that he would likely be called to participate in the escalating war in Vietnam - either by draft or by choice. He earned his officer’s commission through ROTC at St. John’s University and left his Minnesota childhood behind for the jungles of Vietnam. He became a highly decorated infantry Platoon Leader serving in 1967 and 1968, some of the most brutal years of the Vietnam conflict, which greatly impacted his outlook on life.

Mike was a devoted father to his three children, Nathaniel, Adam and Elisabeth. When they were very young and he became a single dad, he would load the kids and dog into his tiny sports car every other Friday night after work to show them the magic of Whidbey Island, a place that was his retreat for many years. His love of adventures included creating the July 4th beach fireworks tradition on Whidbey Island, annual duck hunting trips, river float trips, and providing elaborate Easter and Christmas mornings for his kids - who were all believing in Santa until they were pretty much teenagers.

Mike spent the majority of his career as an Institutional Investor for Merrill Lynch in Seattle. His work often took him to NYC and on one of those flights he met Susie Detmer. After a mere 18 years of thoughtful, on and off courtship, Mike and Susie were married. Susie’s daughter Christa became a daughter to Mike and finally had the siblings she’d been after her mother to provide.

Mike had a wicked sense of humor and a beautiful outlook on life. Through his “Dadisms” his kids learned: to be firm but fair, you can’t love someone until you love yourself, every day’s a gift, to have friends you need to be a friend, and good luck is where preparation meets opportunity. “Are we having fun yet?” was one of his favorites, which he’d offer even in the middle of family chaos. Another was “there are no ‘have to’s’ in life, there are only ‘get to’s” and with this he taught the power of gratitude. He was a generous father and yet taught his kids the value of hard work; if you want nice things you’d better work hard for them and you show up every day no matter how difficult.

His heart ached for his lost Vietnam comrades every single day of his life. When asked how he became so successful in business at such an early age he would dryly reply, “it was easy, nobody was shooting at me.” The family believes there is a strong connection between his disease and his service in Vietnam. Donations can be made in his name, 1LT Michael Root, to the Wounded Warrior Project.

This disease robbed Mike of his outgoing personality and his gift of gab, first attacking his ability to speak, a cruel blow to a man like Mike. He adored Susie, his kids, playing golf, Whidbey Island, dancing at The Little Red Hen, winters in Palm Springs, his grandkids and so many dear friends and family. He is survived by the love of his life, Susie Detmer, his 4 children Nathaniel (Nicole), Adam, Elisabeth (Rian) and Christa (Scott), his 9 Grandchildren: Dominic, Sophia; Atticus, Cadence, Reina, Gabriel; Tulia, Misha; Jack; two sisters Marlene and Gennelle (Larry) and many nieces, nephews and godchildren.

It was a rare sunny Seattle November day when Mike was relieved of his suffering. The next morning it was raining. Susie told the kids that the universe was weeping.

When COVID is over and festive gatherings are again allowed, there will be a kick ass Celebration of Mike’s life (he was always the last to leave the party) following Military Honors at Evergreen Washelli in Seattle. Please make a comment on this page if you would like to receive details.