In Memory of Michael Allen Trump (March 6, 1970 – August 24, 2019): EnviroScience Project Designer
Our colleague, but more importantly, our friend.
Words cannot describe how devastated we are at the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Mike Trump. While on vacation with his family in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, Mike passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2019, in a tragic scuba diving accident on the Niagara River. Mike died doing what he loved—he was an avid scuba diver, Advanced Open Water Certified through SSI. His love of adventure took him all over the world, including traveling to all 50 states, with his wife, Kristin, and two daughters, Amanda and Tricia. In his younger days, growing up in Reading, Pennsylvania, Mike was an avid Boy Scout, attaining Eagle Scout in 1987. He was also a member of the award-winning Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps in 1990, which is how he met Kristin. He graduated from Reading High School; attended the University of Pittsburgh; and graduated from Lincoln Technical Institute with an Associate’s Degree in Architectural Drafting and Design.
To his family, we extend our deepest sympathies, as we all know how deeply he cared for and loved them. Around the office, he was well known for stories about his family that showed his pride and admiration for their accomplishments. He would discuss the inner workings of life as a dance recital videographer, and it was clear he loved every minute of it. He was a devoted father and husband, regaling us with accounts of the clever games and family adventures he had devised. With his family, he enjoyed the outdoors, hiking backcountry trails in many National Parks, skiing, climbing, and biking. Mike and his girls were avid sports fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins, and attended many games.
Mike Trump was a true example of a life well-lived. Mike lived with patience, purpose, and joy. He was thoughtful in his words and actions, humble, easy-going, and friendly to all. Around the office, he always had something knowledgeable, funny, or interesting to say; the man loved a good conversation! He had a way of making the mundane interesting, whether it was stories about his days spent living in NYC or discussing the nuances of adding pineapple to various dishes.
Food was another thing Mike loved. We will miss hearing about his creative culinary concoctions; he loved experimenting with ingredients and flavors. In 2016, Mike took first prize at our Annual Chili Cookoff fundraiser out of almost 20 participants. In true Mike fashion, his follow up dish “Montezuma Aztec Chili” was just as unique and delicious. Another year, he surprised us by making a chili with bourbon and peaches as ingredients! We don’t know how, but Mike made it work and it was tasty.
Mike worked for various companies over the span of his career, many of which focused on improving natural environments and parks. He would produce engineering drawing for use in restoration projects, and took pride in finishing a set of plans that would go on to be constructed. At EnviroScience, Mike was a great source of CAD and computer knowledge, as well as graphic design. He had a unique perspective and deep knowledge of many subjects. Mike’s latest passion, both at work and at home, was flying drones. He became an FAA Certified Commercial Drone Pilot in March 2019, after completing a rigorous written exam.
Mike was a believer that when it is your time to go, then it’s your time. At 49 years young, he went, sooner than any of us expected. These words give a glimpse of Mike Trump, but are not enough to capture the full picture of the man he was… a superstar Dad, loving husband, beloved friend, and someone we will miss for years to come.
EnviroScience is currently discussing ways to support Mike’s family and honor his legacy. We will post an update when a decision is made, as it may be something you wish to contribute to yourself. In the meantime, if you would like to share a story about Mike or reply to this post, we welcome your comments below.