November 10, 1934-August 8, 2026
Born in Brooklyn, New York Nov. 10, 1934, to a medical family, Michael attended The Fieldston School in Riverdale. He received both undergraduate and M.B.A. degrees from Harvard College. In Cambridge he met Radcliffe student, Catherine Eck. They were married for 66 years until his death Aug. 8.
Having spent a few years in Lawrenc, KS. In the 80’s, Mike and Cathy retired there in 1999. For a few years Mike taught honors Humanities and Western Civilization at the University of Kansas.
Michael spent the early ‘60s as a “ Mad Man” at New York’s Benton and Bowles ad agency. He later managed public affairs and government relations for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, New York University and Harvard. In the 70’s Michael was responsible for implementing the legalization of abortion in New York, just before Roe V. Wade. Another health field stint came later with Blue Cross Blue Shield of New York.
During President Carter’s administration, Michael served as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, which involved oversite of the Army Corps of Engineers, Arlington National Cemetery and the Panama Canal Company. He was the first chairman of the bi-national Panama Canal Commission, administering the Canal until its turnover to Panama.
Cathy remains at the Blumenfeld’s decades-long residence in Lawrence, Kansas.
