Michael Patrick Conklin

of Bainbridge Island, WA, was taken too soon at 51 years of age. He was born on February 23, 1963 to Michael and Elizabeth (Betsy) Conklin in Eugene, Oregon and raised in Palo Alto, California.Mike attended El Carmelo and Loma Vista Grade schools and was at that time inspired by his Grandfather and Uncle to start his Boy Scout journey. He earned almost twice as many merit badges as needed and had many volunteer projects including spending an entire summer doing yard work for an elderly widow. He achieved the highest award of Eagle Scout Rank at the very early age of 14 years old, while attending the 8th Grade at Terman Middle School. He continued as a very active Scout throughout high school at Henry M. Gunn High School, and he inspired all six of his nephews, his niece and daughters to be in scouting. He was also a faithful acolyte at All Saints Episcopal Church for many years and received the Boy Scout God and Country Award. Growing up Michael was self-motivated and avid chess player. When he wanted something he was persistent in accomplishing it. He had a paper route and saved all his money to buy his own stereo system, racing bike and Nikon camera. During high school he was on the Honor roll and played the trumpet in advanced band.Mike attended California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, California, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He met his wife, Elizabeth, at the Luckys Grocery store in Arroyo Grande where he worked in produce and she worked as a checker. It was love at first site, as Elizabeth only worked at that store for 3 weeks. He married Elizabeth in 1991 and they relocated to Seattle and then Bainbridge Island in 1996. They chose Bainbridge Island for the beautiful scenery and the rain! Mike loved the rain and cool weather and would wear shorts and flip flops year round.Mike worked in the manufacturing industry in the areas of fiber optics, lasers and medical devices in the Seattle area for the last 19 years. Mike received the Manufacturing Leadership Award in 2012 in recognition for his work on the Enterprise Resource Planning Project while working at Bodypoint Inc. Over the years, his career concentrated on quality control, and he would often joke with Elizabeth and the girls about high quality control that was needed in the household.Mike enjoyed the out of doors, spending time bicycling, swimming, kayaking, and hiking. He was a loyal Seahawks fan and had season tickets for the last 17 years. He was in the process of restoring a 1979 MGB and had an interest in photography and loved music. Mike loved anything Italian; pizza, cheese, garlic and especially traveling to Italy. He was also a gracious host and fun tour guide when anyone would visit their home.In June 2003, Mike and Elizabeth had two beautiful twin girls, Elena and Veronica. They were the joy of his life. Mike was a very patient, kind, and loving father. He adored Elena and Veronica and loved to spend time with them hiking in the Grand Forest, boating and swimming in the bay, along with the simple things like swinging in the hammock and watching movies. They have fond memories of watching their "fearless Papa" riding all the scary rides at Disneyland.Mike's passion for swimming came from his mother, Betsy, who tried out for the Olympics. He then passed his love of swimming to his daughter, Elena, and recently became a USA Swimming Official. He spent countless hours going to swim meets, coaching and encouraging Elena to be a future Olympic swimmer. Fortunate to inherit Mike's height, Veronica, followed in her father's footsteps and plays basketball as Mike did in the 8th grade. Mike showed the same enthusiasm of cheering at her basketball games as he would for the Seahawks.A loving son, husband, brother, father and uncle, Michael will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, twin daughters Elena and Veronica, father Michael, mother Elizabeth (Betsy), stepfather Bobby, sister Laura, and uncle Stephen.Family and friends are respectively invited to attend the memorial service on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Grace Episcopal Church on Bainbridge Island. A reception will follow at the church.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Chief Seattle Council Boy Scouts of America in honor of Michael Conklin P.O. Box 440408 Seattle, WA 98114Please click here​Please sign the online Guest Book for the family.