Michael Orlikoff

Anita Orlikoff A page from Mike's baby book. Mike is 14 months in top photo (on right, Jamie on left) and is 16 months in bottom snap.

Anita Orlikoff A young Mike on the right with big brother Jamie on the left, circa 1960. This photo, likely taken by Grampa Murray, was recently uncovered. When Jamie showed it to Mike he asked "why are you holding my hand in your lap?" Mike's searing wit on display.

Jamie Orlikoff Mike in spring of 1961, when he was almost three. Photo by his grandfather Murray.

Jamie Orlikoff Mike at 4, August 1962 in Door County, WI.

Anita Orlikoff Mike in Door County, WI in August, 1963 during family summer vacation there. He was five.

Jamie Orlikoff Mike on the left, Jamie in middle, and Jeanne (their Mom) on right. At beginning of trail ride in Yellowstone National Park in 1964. We saw many bear on that trip, but none while on horseback.

Anita Orlikoff Mike and Jamie at the beach, one with Tippy the Wonder Dog. Circa 1965

Jamie Orlikoff Mike at 8, in 1965. Taken by Murry Magdol, his grandfather and family photographer.

Jamie Orlikoff Jamie, Mike, and Tippy the Wonder Dog, with 1 year old brother Dan at right, at home in Chicago in 1966.

Anita Orlikoff Mike in Michael Reese Hospital after falling on his bike and suffering a major break in his right Femur. Mike was in traction in the hospital for three weeks. His Mom, Jeanne is seated, a student nurse is standing.

Anita Orlikoff Mike always loved playing hockey. Here he was at a hockey camp outside of Toronto during summer vacation circa 1968.

Jamie Orlikoff Jamie, Grampa Murry, Dan, and Mike in backyard of family home in Chicago, circa 1980

Jamie Orlikoff Mike with his mother Jeanne at his graduation from Reed College in 1981.

Dan Orlikoff 1984 at a family wedding

Rachel Orlikoff Family portrait in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard.

Rachel Orlikoff Another family portrait the next year or so, also in Jeanne and Richard's backyard.

Jamie Orlikoff The Brothers: Jamie, Mike, Dan at Sleepy Hollow, South Haven, MI. Maybe around 1995.

Jamie Orlikoff Mike, Rachel and Anita at the Eifel Tower during Paris trip in 1998. Wonderful trip, highlighted by Mike's facility with French, and his erudition in all things, but particularly art and history.

Dan Orlikoff Mike, Jamie, and Dan Dan's 40th birthday

Anita Orlikoff We all had a great time, including Mike, at Jamie & Anita's 25th Anniversary

Dan Orlikoff Mike, Rachel, and Carter at Jamie & Anita's house circa 2006

Dan Orlikoff Mike, Rachel, and Dan

Dan Orlikoff Uncle Mike with nephew Carter(3 yrs old) Trey's 5th birthday

Jamie Orlikoff Nice shot of Mike with sister-in-law Anita, guessing round 2007 or so. In the backyard for a family picnic. Mike and Anita had a special, no BS bond.

Dan Orlikoff Mike, Jamie, Anita, Rachel, David, and Laura. Holiday meal at Dan & Laura's house.

Dan Orlikoff Mike and Kula circa 2009

Dan Orlikoff Mike and Max at Jamie & Anita's home. Circa 2013

Dan Orlikoff Mike and Max circa 2013-2014

Jamie Orlikoff Smilin' Mike!

Jamie Orlikoff Mike and Alexis

Jamie Orlikoff Mike and Alexis. Good times!!

Dan Orlikoff Mike and nephew Carter at Dick and Jeanne's house in Hyde Park. Mike never missed an opportunity to play or teach music with his family.

Jamie Orlikoff Mike was very artistic with many varied interests. He would often experiment with new things. Here he tries his hand at glassblowing, photos taken by Alexis.

Dan Orlikoff Mike and Jamie at nephew Trey's 8th grade graduation party at Dan and Laura's house.

Jamie Orlikoff Fourth of July with Orlikoff family in Pullman, MI. Mike and Alexis on the porch. 2nd photo: Mike and brother Dan taking a walk down a country road.

Jamie Orlikoff Mike chillin with a friend. Photo by Alexis.

Anita Orlikoff The Fam with Dan, Anita, Jamie, Mike, Carter, Trey, David and Gonzo. Guessing around 2016.

Jamie Orlikoff Mike and Alexis

david orlikoff Xmas 2016 - Group photo and karaoke Mike gave me that whole DIY karaoke set up that year, mic and amplifier, for xmas and my birthday in Jan.

Jamie Orlikoff Great shots of Mike with brother Jamie at the wedding of Rachel (Mike's niece and Jamie's daughter) to Stefan Juling. Wonderful day and both Mike and Jamie were in the clouds!

Jamie Orlikoff Mike and his favorite niece Rachel at Rachel's wedding brunch in Pasadena, CA in 2017. A wonderful event and so happy to have Mike there. He loved Rachel and was so happy for her!

John schuch The Orlikoffs have been a huge part of our story since Laura brought Dan into our lives back in the late 90s. And with Dan came Mike, and for that, we're thankful. At the memorial, Jamie and Dan spoke about how Mike's perspective, intellect, and big heart enhanced the moments and the people around him. I was at Dan and Laura's house in Skokie one day. Dan and Mike were on the couch watching the news of the Columbia disaster, and Mike wondered out loud at what point the shuttle lost structural integrity. I remember thinking how I wanted to know more about the world like Mike did. I loved the way he saw things; just being around him made you more intelligent. The Orlikoff lectures weren't as numerous with Mike as they were with Dan, and although I initially dreaded them, they became easier to bear. Now I'm grateful that they both cared about the well-being of my siblings as much as they did. I loved the parties on Fargo with Jamie, Anita, David, Rachel, Dan, Laura, and Mike. It was a lot of people in that house when my family showed up. I remember a great day when Richard sat at the dining room table telling us stories about his time in the Navy during the war. I didn't get to know him or Jeanne as well as I would have liked, but I heard and saw enough to know that they were both incredible people. My family had many gatherings over the years, and it always felt like a "real" party when the Orlikoffs showed up. It was always great seeing Mickey interacting with Mike as they were both the comedians of our respective family and kindred spirits. It was always fun stealing the Orlikoffs from the party to hang out in the hayloft of the barn. When my brother Tom and I had our place in the West Loop, Mike came out to hang with us. His presence was always like a beam of light, and the sound of his laugh was something that just pulled you in. When I wanted to learn to invest in the stock market, I called Mike and he invited me down to Richard's house. He asked me what I knew about risk, explained it to me, and answered countless questions. He turned me on to different publications to read, websites, reading annual reports, earnings seasons, futures, and advice like "always keep your powder dry." I was happy to have something in common with Mike finally, and I got to text and called him more often after that, which was awesome. I was living in Los Angeles when everyone came out for Rachel's wedding. One of the days, Dan, Mike, Trey, Carter, and I wanted to hike the trails behind NASA’s JPL in Altadena; I don't know how, but on the way there, four full-grown Orlikoffs fit into my tiny Toyota Prius. Another great time was the evening we all went on that walk to the restaurant on a beautiful night in Pasadena. Mike stayed in LA after the wedding and asked if I wanted to hang out. We decided on Joshua Tree as the destination; this time, Mike drove. Once inside the park, we stopped at different places to walk in the desert and climb on some boulders. It was still light out, and our plan (he was nice enough to go along with) was to see the stars in Joshua Tree away from the city's light pollution. While waiting for it to get dark, we went to one of the diners nearby. I don't remember what was said, but I remember feeling like I was where I was supposed to be at that moment. At that time, I was in one of the darkest places I've ever been. Mike stopped me as I tried to pay for the meal. I tried again, and Mike gave me a look in the eye and told me that I needed to stop and keep my money. I stopped and said thank you. I hadn't told him how bad I was doing, but he knew. That moment wasn't just him paying for my meal at some cheap diner; it was everything that came before it. It was Mike trusting me as a person; it was him letting me know I wasn't alone and that he was there for me; I felt safe. I cared deeply for and respected Mike; him returning that love and respect back to me, and without judgment; meant everything. Mike's energy, just like the rest of the Orlikoff family, makes this world more interesting, happy, fun, and full of love. He left us positively charged by giving away so much love along the way. I can hear his laugh, I can see his smile, and I can feel him still because he helped shape me into who I am. Thank you for spending the time you had here with my family and me. Thanks for everything you did for us, thanks for all the fun times. Love you, Mike Photo from April 10th visiting Joshua Tree with Mike