"I remember him from Cedar Point near Sandusky , Ohio in the summer of 1965. He was so very like able , outgoing and honest. It seems he stayed the same person."
In loving memory of
Michael Scott Schuerlein
September 28, 1943 - June 12, 2025
Michael Scott Schuerlein (born Frederick Thomas Schuerlein), 81, passed away peacefully on June 12th after a brief illness. Born in Berea, Ohio he was the only child of Frederick and Adah Schuerlein. Michael loved his childhood in Berea and later attended Baldwin Wallace College, where he was a member of the ATO Fraternity. In 1967, Michael and his first wife moved to Bellevue, Washington, where they raised their children in a home he built on Lake Sammamish. Michael later moved to Orcas Island where he met and married his second wife and gained a blended family. Michael also lived for several years in Redmond, WA and was recently a snowbird, spending winters in Scottsdale, AZ.
Michael was a homebuilder for more than 50 years and was passionate about the homes he built, including several Street of Dreams homes in the 1990s. A true creative at heart, his innate design sense was unmatched. One source of pride was his Whidbey Island dream home, which was decorated with antiques and nostalgia collected over the years.
Michael loved the water and was an avid sailor. Michael lived life to the fullest. One of his favorite quotes was "Thoughts become things...Choose the good ones" and he lived that every day. He was an active supporter and board member of Island Roots Housing and believed affordable housing was critical to the well-being of the Langley community, where he retired.
The loss of Michael leaves a gaping hole in our lives, and we will miss him terribly. We are comforted that he didn't suffer, that he lived boldly until the end, and that his legacy lives on through our memories and the experiences we shared with him. We are all better off for having Michael in our lives.
Michael is survived by his daughters, stepdaughters, granddaughter and companion. He will be deeply missed by his Langley Coffee Curmudgeons, his ATO Brothers, and countless friends from all facets of his life. Many looked forward to his weekly insights, whether funny, inspirational, political, or otherwise, in emails he sent to his Tribe.
There will be a celebration of life later this year. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Island Roots Housing, P.O. Box 114, Langley, WA 98260.
Tributes
"Always in my heart forever, from our early days sailing the Pandora on Lake Erie to the day that you left us, Wildflower"
"fond memories of college days with Fred, loved to kid him about pool hall and pickled pig feet RIP Dirk"