Michael Orr Obituary

I think of Mike often as one of the most inspiring people I met in my working life. I also remember how we as a group from WAMU planted a tree in his memory in Seattle at Cedarbrook (WAMU hotel). back in 2003. I keep wondering how big the tree has grown. I also recall the last stanza of the poem I read in his honor at a meeting in Seattle, "The Sincere Man."

"Give me a man that is sincere,
And though a wealth of faults attend,
I shall clasp his hand in mine
And claim his as a trusted friend!"

That is what Mike was to everyone.

Wish I had more time to get to know him even more.

Five years. And yes, you are still with me. Wonderful memories of your kindness and caring. I'm grateful you are in my life and that you stop in once in awhile.
I am a better person because you were my brother.
Thanks, until we get together again, my love, Melinda

May 05/05/07
It's coming up on four years. We miss Mike very much and talk about him very often. Tim and I have so many great memories of all our fun times with Mike and Dawn. Our good times with Dawn still go on as do our memories.

I think of you everyday as I think of my sister everyday. I know you are so proud of her beauty and her strength-so am I inspired daily by her. Our world would just be that much sweeter if we could still see you smile. If I close my eyes, I can. If I open them, I still can. Hope you like the flowers on the porch. :)

Well it’s almost a year Mike and Yes! You are still remembered in a good way (contrary to what you thought). As the words used to describe you jump off the page…….

A no-nonsense kind of guy, strong willed, genuine, a role model, respectable,

Knowledgeable appraiser, sincere, gentleman with high morals, a man that wasn’t afraid to let people know he was crazy about his wife and family, a great dry sense of humor, a man of vision …..(All well deserved attributes) I will remember the honest and compassionate soul you are. I will remember with tears the things that touched my heart and with laughter those that tickled my funny bone. As much and as strongly as you opposed this in life you can consider yourself CELEBRATED! Celebrated by each and every word thought and written about you. This time I think it is okay, right? Now I say to you, not good-bye just see you later boss. Thanks for everything you taught me and especially for the friendship you left for me. You should be very proud of yourself, you taught your department excellence and Wally is doing a great job of it.

This picture of Mike was taken on the day he married Dawn and reflects his happiness that day and all the days he shared with her.
It's such a great picture; his smile says it all. The twinkle in his eye and that grin were so genuine, sincere and warm. I always felt gifted to receive it.
I miss you Bro.
Melinda (Orr) Albright
Kalama, Wa.

we took our little fishing boat out the other day and thought about you.Our motor conked out and we know you would have laughed and told our boating story over dinner.The story probably would have gone something like this:
When the Seiferts fish it's not the fish that get away it's their boat that they lose.Ah, Mike you would have told the story better. Sometimes it's not just the fish that get hooked. We miss you, friend.

Thank you Mike for being a good appraiser. You inspired us and supported us in the field. Your keen sense of appraising will be missed as will be your professional and personable demeanor. We lost a hero and a soldier in our ranks. You will be missed but never forgotten. I'll see you in heaven someday my friend. My love and sympathies to all the family members, friends and colleagues. Blessings in your sorrow. Greg

My colleague, Jim Muri, and I were both shocked and saddened to hear of Mike's passing. As appraisers in Western Pennsylvania, we never had the opportunity to meet Mike in person, though we did have numerous conversations with him during his years with both PNC and Washington Mutual. Mike was tremendous both as an appraiser and as a person and our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

I'm glad to have seen the affectionate comments for Mike as a business manager, co-worker and friend. Dawn (my daughter) will take great comfort from them, and from the fact that many of his associates thought of him as they did, and wanted to say so.



There's no question of the respect and love Dawn and Mike had for each other - it's so sad it couldn't have

gone on for many more years. RIP, Mike.

Dudley Bowlby, Madison, WI

I worked with Mike at Washington Mutual. I just want the family to know that next week at our Managers All meeting in Seattle, WA, we will have a short service with some of us expressing what it meant to know Mike. I will be reading a poem entitled "The Sincere Man." Although I have a feeling that Mike is up there in Heaven cringing at the thought, it is something I have to do. The last stanza reads:

"Give me a man that is sincere, And though a wealth of faults attend,

I shall clasp his hand in mine, And claim him as a trusted friend!"



That's what Mike meant to all of us here in the East. Your family was very lucky to have him for the time that you did. My most kind regards and sympathy to you all.

In addition to Michael's (he preferred Mike but sibs get to exercise the family usage) terseness, his acerbic satirical vision, and his insight into what he believed true, Mike's quiet tenderness still comforts our hearts. And, suddenly, there is Donald Duck, or at least his voice. It wasn't just the bagpipes that kept the local pets overly alert, but it was Mike's voice of Donald Duck that kept the local pet owners in hysterics or at best, in a state of abstraction. Michael grew up too soon and this concept followed him throughout his young life; perhaps it wasn't so surprising that he left too soon, as well. Remembering Michael will continue to enrich our lives as the stories I exchanged with the people who attented his services add to the memories of our brother. I, especially, thank those friends who shared with me their experiences of Mike. Through those stories Jim and I got to understand another side of our brother. Thank you for your sympathy and loving thoughts.



Melinda Albright

Sister



Jim Orr

Brother



"He ain't heavy; he's [our] brother."

Mike was a great co-worker and friend. My wife De had the opportunity to work for Mike's department and I had the opportunity to work with Mike on several projects.



Mike is a wonder person and will be missed. I was sorry to hear he passed away and recall our last meeting in March as another thoughtful meeting. Mike always the good listener and even better explainer of the appraisal business.



God take you to heaven Mike.



Ed and De Brown

I never met Mike in person, however, I have talked with Mike over the phone with appraisal issues. Mike always give me as much time as I needed and was always a pleasure to talk with. I wish that I could have met Mike in person.



With sympathy,



Dean Dryer

Huron Valley Appraisal

No simple words of thanks can express how much I appreciate and am encouraged by the outpouring of love you all have shared about my dad. But I do thank you. And it was so good to put faces to the names I had heard much about, last week!

Angie

Thank you all for the kind words and condolences expressed in this guestbook and at my father's services. I am so happy I was able to meet many of you and gain even more insight into my dad's life, and, clearly, the love of his job. We, as a family, will always cherish the wonderful memories you all have shared. Thank you, again.

Mindy

I was so saddened to hear of Mikes passing. He worked for me at First Nationwide bank. He worked hard, had tremendous integrity, charm, and a great dry sense of humor. I feel truly blessed to have known him. My condolences to Dawn and his family. My prayers are with you at this time.



Jennifer Sheffield

Mike was a genuine 1st class person both as an appraiser and a friend. I have a lot of gratitude towrds Mike as he hired me in Feb.2002 as an additional Review Appraiser in Minneapolis. His insight and care for his collegues within the company will always be remembered. Thanks to Dawn and friends for the lunch and hospitality following the funeral.

Mike and I were "buddies" probably since the 1st day we met way back when he was working for 1st Nationwide and I was a fee appraiser. I worked for him on a contract basis both at PNC and WAMU...but more than that... we were friends. Yes we talked about appraising but we also talked about restaurants and movies and all sorts of other things. He was a good friend.... I will miss him... I already do.



Jackie Persky

Lakeshore Appraisal Group, Inc.

Dear Dawn and family,

May time replace the hurt in your heart with happy memories.

With sympathy, Sandy Maday

In the fast past world of mortgage lending Mike Orr will be missed. He was always willing to provide access to the tools to make the "process" easier, and was accessable by phone or email.

Mike was genuine,real, and always the gentleman.

I just returned home today from traveling and was shocked and saddened to learn of Mike Orr?s untimely passing. I first met Mike when he responded to an employment advertisement I had placed in 1994 when I was working for a valuation services company. I was very impressed with Mike and selected him for the available management position over many other applicants. At that time, however, Mike chose not to accept the position.

The following year, while employed by PNC Mortgage I again had the occasion to advertise for a senior management position. Mike responded, and with the blessing of Dean Kelker, I was once again able to offer Mike a position. This time, Mike accepted. I consider the hiring of Mike to be among the best personnel decisions I have ever made.

Mike and I worked together daily from the date of his employment in 1995 until I retired in 1999. Over those four years, I grew to know Mike well both professionally and personally.

Professionally, I valued Mike for his realistic, no-nonsense approach to managing a very diverse, difficult and visible set of responsibilities, and for his ability to organize vast quantities of information into useable and cogent data. Mike was well liked and highly respected by his staff and co-workers, and was considered the authority on a wide range of valuation related issues. It is clear that Mike?s professional value was recognized by WaMu when they acquired PNC, and his responsibility continued to expand under their management.

Personally, Mike was a man of strong will and high morals. He always gave the best of himself, and expected no less from others. Mike did not tolerate fools well, but was always kind and patient to those who genuinely wished to learn from him. Mike also struck me as a wonderful and loving husband, and he spoke often of his lovely wife Dawn. All of us who knew Mike will miss him.

My deepest sympathies to Dawn and the rest of his family.

My condolences to the Orr family for their loss.

As a staff appraiser under his management & guidance, I'm sure that I was a thorn in Mike Orr's side at times, just as he was a pain in another part of my anatomy at others. However, his contributions to the appraisal department, his intelligence, his kindness, & his adept ability at painlessly removing bark splinters from the noses of his staff (namely me) who were lost in the forest can not be overstated, & will not be forgotten. He earned & deserved the respect that I had for him. I send all my thanks & condolences to his family, & thoughts of strength in the days to come. I'm sure that Mike is 'streamlining' our future paths.

Mike was a very pleasant person to work with. He was very professional and a "one of a kind" class act. He will be truely missed by everyone.



Michael Greeb

I first met Mike when WaMu acquired PNC. I knew as soon as I met him that he would be a great and valuable addition to our staff. Mike did not disappoint me, ever. He set a wonderful gentle example for us all He was truly a nice person and we're all going to miss him.

We were shocked and saddened by the news of Mike's passing, and shed tears as others did. Mike was a quiet and gentle man and one could not have asked for a better boss.We asked our congregation to pray for peace and comfort for his family. Remember, death is only a temporary separation.King David in the Old Testament realized this when his baby son died. After his servants told him that the child had died David exclaimed, " I cannot bring him back again, but someday I can go to where he is."

That is our great hope. Love to the family.

I will always remember Mike for the fun conversations... about California, about the "great bottle of wine him and his wife drank last night", his fav' movie's ~ or his computer instruction, he loved those shortcuts! and I will think of him each time I use one. At Washington Mutual he is remembered for his dedication. I am so sorry to the family, death is so hard. May time help you in your loss.

Mike was truly one of the nicest person I've known. He will be missed yet remembered for his thoughtful kindness and witty humor.

To the family of Mike, I send my deepest sympathy on the loss of a wonderful "gentleman".

I would like to send my heart felt sympathy and prayers to Mike’s family. Although, most of us have known Mike for a short period, the thought of his kindness and humor will live forever.

A life time is too short; but, if we take hold of every moment to cherish the good things in life, then we have lived a full and happy one. I believe this is what Mike taught us all.



May God bless you and help you through this sorrowful time.



David E. Wyatt

I MET MIKE WHEN HE CAME ON BOARD IN THE APPRAISAL DEPARTMENT, HE WAS A GOOD MAN & WONDERFUL TO WORK WITH. I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, HIS BEST FEATURE WAS THE SPECIAL WAY HE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT HIS WIFE AND FAMILY.

I first met Mike went he came to PNC Mortgage in 1995. We both were managers in the Appraisal department. We started out as co-workers but soon developed a close friendship. The five years we worked together we went to lunch almost everyday (usually at the same restaurant). Those lunchtime conversations were thought provoking and entertaining. I will miss those times. Mike was a true friend in every sense of the word. I will miss him. My heart felt condolences to Dawn and rest of his family.

As part of the NE ARC I had the pleasure of meeting Mike and had a great deal of respect for this wonderful man. His wit and humor will be missed along with the Krispy Kremes that he treated us with on many occasions. My thoughts and prayers are with Mike and his family.

Mike was always so friendly and helpful. I've know Mike since we were with PNC.I have spoken with him for years and finally just was able to meet him in person less than 6 months ago. I really learned alot from him and he will be missed dearly.

I WISH THE FAMILY OF MIKE ORR THE PIECE OF MIND THAT COMES WITH KNOWING THAT I DID NOT KNOW MIKE FOR A LONG TIME OR WAS NOT VERY CLOSE BUT HAVING WORKED WITH HIM FOR THREE YEARS @ WASHINGTON MUTUAL I HAVE LEARNED MANY VALUABLE THINGS THAT I WILL APPRECIATE FOR MY WHOLE LIFE.



MAY GOD BLESS MIKE AND HIS FAMILY.

Mike Orr was a beautiful spirit and wonderful boss. I will miss his kindness and leadership. The WAMU Livonia Appraisal Dept will never be the same.



He has a new address on Worry-Free Lane.

It's been my pleasure to have worked with Mike since his days at PNC. We exchanged ideas, information and many laughs on everything from real estate property data to fine wine. I was glad to see much of his professional vision being realized at WAMU.



I shall miss Mike and extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife, family, friends and colleagues.

I first met Mike at PNC when I was a staff appraiser. He was always helpful, kind and just a good guy. Then we met again at Wamu, when Wamu acquired PNC Mortgage, Its a small world......... My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

We will miss Mike's gentle ways, quiet competence and warm smile. Mike was a true gentleman and highly respected colleague. It was a pleasure to know him, however briefly. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Mike,

May you be at rest in the mercy of God. We will miss you. My condolences to Mike's family on your great loss.

Mike Orr was a straight forward no nonsense person, who I was able to count on for advice and information. He helped me to understand the appraisal business like no one else could have. I learned a lot from Mike and I will miss him. He has enriched not only my life but also of those around him. And even though God has called him home, his presence here won't soon be forgotten. God bless the Orr family, and take comfort in knowing that one day we will all see Mike again.

Mike was a wonderful man that took the time to help make a difference. He was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise on any subject matter - whether it be a computer problem, an appraisal issue, or just to recommend a good book - he was never too busy to help out a friend or colleague. He will truly be missed by all that were lucky enough to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

My thoughts and prayers are with Mike's family as they deal with their significant loss.

In the short period of time I have known Mike Orr, I learned what a great man he was. He was very smart and had a keen sense of humor. I'm really going to miss Mike as I'm sure the rest of us will too. Love to all.

I am so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. I first had the opportunity to work with Mike when he was an appraisal manager for PNC Mortgage a few years back. He was always very helpful and we developed a good relationship. Our paths divided when PNC was acquired by WAMU and he concentrated his efforts in the mid-west area. Little did I know then that I too would become a CSM for WAMU's northeast region. Mike and I finally met personally back in January 2003 when I visited the ARC. I am very happy to have had that opportunity and had hoped to work on the same team with Mike for years to come. He will be missed. My prayers and sympathies are with you in this difficult time. TWMc

I knew Mike through work (Washington Mutual). He was a great guy who will always be remembered for his gentle spririt and quick wit. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Mike was a gentleman from the time I met him. We depended upon him for his expertise and gentle, competent manner, and he will be truly missed.

I Have only known Mike for a few short years.

Mike was always a pleasure to work with. His vision, commitment, and enthusiasm inspired us all.

Mike was one of the nicest people I have known.

He will be missed but always remembered for the great example and vision that he gave to us.