Mike Temple 1938-2003






(click to enlarge)


(click to enlarge)

Mike was born in Santa Rosa on July 6, 1938 to Wes and Thelma Temple.  A fourth generation Santa Rosan,
he grew up on Slater Street (in the same house now owned by his daughter Kelley and her husband Mark).
Mike graduated from Santa Rosa High School, Santa Rosa Junior College and the University of Nevada at Reno.
He held a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and most of his working career working for
Optical Coating Laboratories, Inc. in Santa Rosa.  As an employee of 37 years, he helped design many of the coating
machines and coating technologies still in use today.  He held 15 patents associated with the industry.

Mike married Linda Riccitti in 1959.  They had three children, Patrick, Kelly and Kevin and nearly 44 action packed
years.  His family and his toys were his passions.  A love of the water led to his passion for sailing and almost every weekend
found him sailing on Tomales or San Francisco Bay with summer vacations on the Sacramento Delta.  on land, he preferred to
get around on his motorcycle.  He belonged to the Wetleather Riding Club, meeting with them the last few years in Idaho for
group camping trips.  After retiring from OCLI, Mike formed a one man company called "Recreational Research Center",
appointing himself Head of Research and Development.  He was dedicated to the pursuit of his hobbies, which included
photography, woodworking, sailing, motorcycles, computers and travel.  he was a very creative man and instilled most of
his projects with his unique sense of humor.  He also loved music, often remarking that Jimmy Buffet was the greatest
philosopher of our time.

Mike's loving family grew over the years to include Kelly's husband, Mark Erickson, Kevin's wife Erin (Trusty) and
Patrick's wife Linda (Coleman) and their daughter, Delaney, who is Mike's only grandchild.  he was proud of each of them
and pleased with each of their accomplishments.  He will be remembered fondly by his brother-in-law, Steven Riccitti.  He leaves
his beloved bulldogs, Poco and Dee.

Mike lived life like it was a smorgasbord filling his plate with what he loved most.  His love of this life and his
wonderful sense of humor will be sadly missed by his family and his many friends and colleagues.
Mike was a member of Wetleather
Click here to view Wetleather's online tribute


Memorial Contributions can be sent to:

The Humane Society of Sonoma County
Pet Assisted Therapy Program
P O Box 1296
Santa Rosa CA 95402

If you would like to post a message or picture on this site, please
e-mail me and I will make it happen
Thanks.


CYCLEPSYCHO