Michael Allen Guerber

Michael Allen Guerber, 77, of Lakewood, Washington, peacefully passed on February 16th, 2021 at Virginia Mason Hospital after a heroic battle against cancer and the treatment’s physical side-effects. He was surrounded by loved ones. Michael was born to Allen and Thelma Guerber on June 22, 1943. He grew up in Corvallis, Oregon on the family’s dairy farm. His love of animals led him down an educational path of animal science and he graduated from Oregon State University in 1966 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree. He met the love of his life, Marjorie (Midge) Fitz in 1958 and they were married in 1963. Michael and Midge became the proud parents of 3 daughters, Kelly, Kimberly, and Kara. Out of college he worked for the Federal Land Bank and then Parke Davis pharmaceutical company. In 1981 Michael’s career took him into the Pet Industry. He spent the majority of his working life advocating for animals through superior nutrition and responsible care. He served on several Pet Industry organizational boards and as well as local community boards wherever he lived. Michael will forever be remembered by his wife, Midge and their much-loved daughters, Kelly E. Dietz; Kimberly S. Guerber; Kara L. Tompkins; and his sons-in-law Kirk Dietz and Michael Tompkins. Michael was preceded in death by his father, Allen Guerber, and sister Trudy E Parks. Mike’s mother, Thelma Guerber (96), survives him along with his “little” brother, Stephen (PeeWee) Guerber and wife Donna; his brother-in-law, Raymond Parks and wife Kelly. Michael was fortunate to have many special nephews, nieces, and cousins; all of whom are too numerous to mention by name. His legacy of kindness, caring, grit, and faith will be carried on by his treasured grand and great-grandchildren; MacGregor Michael Dietz (Ashley Dietz), Haley Elizabeth Aguiar (Caleb Aguiar), Che David Santana, Americka Mycaela Taylor (Xavier Taylor), Taylor Reed Tompkins, Torrey Lynne Tompkins (Edis Miftari), Tyler Dietz, Abigail Dietz, Gavin Taylor, and Baby Aguiar. Mike’s special furry companion, Pepper, has strict instructions to care for his loved Midge. Mike’s family would like to gratefully acknowledge the compassionate and excellent medical care Michael received over the course of this 14 year health battle, and especially the dedication of Dr. Michael Blackburn and Dr. Charles Edmond of Puyallup, WA and Dr. Steve Kirtland, and Dr. Drew Baldwin of Seattle’s Virginia Mason Hospital. Michael’s family has decided to delay a celebration of his life until a time that all family/friends can safely gather due to the pandemic. In Mike’s honor, memorial donations may be sent to the non-profit entities that Mike and Midge supported: North Coast Land Conservancy; PO Box 67, Seaside, OR 93138, https://nclctrust.org/ Virginia Mason Foundation; D1-MF, PO Box 1930, Seattle, WA 98111-1930, https://connect.virginiamasonfoundation.org/