Michael Graf Jr. was born on February 28th, 1955, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Dr. Michael Graf of Yugoslavia and his wife, Philomena of Germany. Michael’s parents met while working at a hospital in Munich, Germany. His father was in medical school, and his mother was a nurse. Michael’s parents immigrated to the United States from Germany after WWII, initially to Long Beach, California, before settling permanently in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Michael was born. He was their first child and had three younger siblings, Elisabeth, Mark, and Tamara.
Michael attended Barbour Hall Junior Military Academy and graduated from Hackett High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1973. He spent many summers in Frankfort, Michigan, where his family had purchased a summer home in 1963, and began sailing at the Crystal Lake Yacht Club in 1965 at age 10. Frankfort and Crystal Lake became a place of lasting importance in his life, where he returned year after year to find peace, relaxation, and a true sense of happiness, whether sailing, walking to the Point Betsie Lighthouse, or simply enjoying the beach and swimming.
While growing up, he was an avid skier and enjoyed family trips to Aspen & Snowmass, Colorado, where he took one-on-one ski lessons from three-time Olympic gold medalist Jean-Claude Killy. Michael developed an early interest in aviation and fell in love with the P-51 Mustang. At the time, his childhood dream was to be a backseat navigator in an F-4 Phantom fighter jet (his eyesight wasn’t good enough to be the pilot). Because his parents had lived through WWII, they did not want to see their son sent to war and ultimately talked him out of joining the military. Michael loved playing hockey for his high school team in Kalamazoo and had a deep appreciation for Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr and Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe. He would regularly tune in to Red Wings broadcasts on his home radio.
After high school, Michael briefly attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, initially studying nuclear engineering. While at U of M, his passion for radio grew stronger when he began working as a DJ at the student radio station WCBN. After moving back to Kalamazoo and sending out a number of aircheck tapes, he landed a paying weekend gig on WAOP in Otsego, MI. His DJ role model was none other than Larry Lujack. After a discussion with a family friend, he became interested in switching his educational focus from nuclear engineering to accounting. He transferred to Western Michigan University, where he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree and passed his CPA exam.
After completing his education, he took an accounting job in Lansing, Michigan, but a year later accepted a new accounting position in downtown Chicago. During this time, he was at the forefront of the emerging computer age, developing a strong understanding of computer systems and technology. He even wrote computer software for the Chicago White Sox that was used within their accounting department. For many, he became the trusted “computer guy,” always willing to lend his knowledge and help solve problems. After moving to Chicago, he began taking flying lessons at the DuPage Airport and earned his private pilot’s license on July 30th, 1987. During this time, Michael worked as the service manager at MicroAge Computers on Michigan Avenue & Wacker Drive in Chicago, where he met Barbara Loehman, who also worked there as a receptionist. They dated for 3.5 years before getting married on June 18th, 1988. Together, they welcomed three sons: Michael III, Byron, and Sean.
While his children were growing up, Michael loved documenting the family and became the designated “camera guy,” filming every birthday, family party, and holiday. Music was always a part of those moments, and some of his favorite songs over the years included “What Is Love,” “White Wedding,” and “Now We Are Free,” with his all-time favorite being “Rock and Roll Heaven.” His strongest connection with his children was through hockey, where he proudly embraced being a hockey dad. He went to great lengths to ensure his children all had the opportunity to play, spending countless hours driving to and from practices, games, and tournaments. He also became an assistant coach for many seasons while the boys played for the Naperville Sabres. He and his son Sean went through the Illinois Hockey Officials Association referee program and earned their USA Hockey Referee Certification together in the summer of 2014.
After his children graduated from high school, Michael continued to take great pride in his work as a CPA and was always willing to help anyone with their tax-related needs, continuing this work well into his later years. He was incredibly happy to see his oldest son, Michael, marry his fiancée Jessica, and welcome their daughter Nora into the world. Being a grandfather brought him immense joy, and he loved receiving pictures of Nora in the family group chat and cherished every opportunity to spend time with her.
Michael passed away peacefully with his children by his side on March 14th, 2026, in Hinsdale, Illinois, at age 71. He will be remembered as a loving and devoted father whose proudest accomplishment was his boys, standing beside them in every endeavor, and as a man whose kindness and generosity to others touched more lives than he could ever imagine.
In lieu of donations or flowers, the family asks that those who knew and loved Michael honor his legacy by extending a hand to someone in need, just as he did for so many throughout his life.
In addition to the memorial in Downers Grove, there will be a celebration of life planned in Frankfort, Michigan, during the week of July 4th, with more details to come in the near future.
Excerpt from the Barbour Hall Song:
O, you boys of Barbour Hall, come step right up,
While we sing a proud refrain
To our Alma Mater, with a Hep! Hep! Hep!
And Hurrah! – then o’er again.
O, the hills will echo forth the shouts we raise,
As we pass beyond recall.
For our hearts are high as we greet you now
With a faith and a force that will never die
While we think of Barbour Hall.
To learn more about Barbour Hall see
Facebook · Barbour Hall Military Academy
It is with a feeling of great loss and grief that I mark the passing of my first best friend into Heaven. It also renews and gives me joy in the promise of eternal life where Michael and I will one day continue to plan and build our model railroad in the basement of his home on Bronson Blvd. in Kalamazoo.
Michael and I grew up together as we started 1st grade at Barbour Hall Junior Military Academy. We were both day students. Little did I comprehend it was the start of a life long friendship. I have so many memories of the Graf family revolving around the house on Fairfield Ave. (not far from the Nazareth Collège Campus). Holidays at the Fairfield Ave. house are among my greatest memories. I learned about Christmas and Easter Greek Orthodox traditions, and the delicious ethnic German food and holiday specialties. So many memories of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the yearly fund raising plays at the Civic Auditorium in downtown Kalamazoo, Piano recitals in O’Brien
Auditorium, Mother/Son dances and Teas (I was so nervous dancing with my Mother and also Mrs. Graf, who was like my second Mother). and the Annual Mother’s Day Parade.
There were also summer trips to Crystal Lake Yacht Club, sail boat races, hiking, sunsets over Lake Michigan, and tennis.
Monsignor John R. Hackett High School was the next stop, and we had several adventures, memories which we will save for another time. We visited often after high school, but always on our birthdays, mine on February 1st,and his on February 28th. We would bring each other up to date on family and friends, and I always enjoyed hearing about his boys.
I am a better person due to Michael’s friendship and he will always be “The Man From Uncle”.