Remembering a Bigfork man who had a spark for life
The Bigfork Eagle recently printed an article and obituary that read, “Mike Felt, 86.”
It may have been more accurate for the Eagle to have printed instead; “Mike Felt, ageless.”
Although I did not know Mike for as many years as you, I did know that time was not a value that Mike added or subtracted to determine the depth of his friendship. I hope that you will extend to me the opportunity to participate in the Eagles effort to capture and convey, in writing, how Mike’s work ethic, his human spirit, and his zest for life contributed to making Mike the kind of man he was.
My husband, Bill, and I met Mike six years ago when he joined us in building Rising Mountains Assisted Living in Bigfork, a project we couldn’t have completed without his help. It didn’t take us very long to realize that there was something special about Mike. We came to know him as a great role model who knew how to make every day count for something good. I think of Mike as a guy version of Mary Poppins. He, too, liked to ride on east wind, make a difference, and believed that life he was “supercalifragilistcexpialidocious.” Mike had an innate ability to make things happen. He lived with a passion that made him the spark that could ignite a vision and turn it into a fire of reality. He had so many friends from all walks of life. There was this sense of ease about him that made a person feel as a welcomed companion he unassumingly invited to join him on the journey of life. He had a contagious gift of joy that he generously passed on to others.
Mike had absolutely no intention to grow old gracefully. He totally he ignored the concept of aging. He gave every day his best effort and kept an upbeat attitude fighting against the limits his body began to put on him. He became my mentor.
A few days before he died, Mike stopped by for a visit. As we sat looking out our picture window at the beautiful Swan River flowing past our house, he talked about his love for Montana, especially Bigfork, and his lifelong commitment to be of service to this community. He was excited and ready to get going with all kinds of new ideas and plans for the future.
When our visit ended, I walked with Mike to our back deck. As I waved goodbye I somehow knew that this would be one of those moments that would always be remembered. Mike looked so dapper that day. Instead of his 49er’s cap and jacket he was wearing that green Austrian yodel hat he loved and his sporty khaki car coat. As he headed down the brick path he stopped, turned back towards me and flashed me one of those great Mike Felt smiles.
I may have imagined it but, I am almost certain that I saw Mike twirl his cane like Charlie Chaplin and with a youthful spring in his step take a small leap in the air to kick his heels!
— Char Dale, Bigfork