Mike Preston

[tymesup]

I sadly have to inform this group that Mike Preston unexpectedly passed away Sunday 5/5 from natural causes.

He was knowledgeable and generous with his time.

[Bill Presson]

Damn.

[Dave Baker]

Michael B. Preston, who was an enrolled actuary, was a giant in the pension field. He contributed so much to the employee benefits community.

He posted 6,569 messages onto these message boards since he joined in 2001 (!) -- questions, answers and comments that helped to inform and educate hundreds, perhaps thousands, of his peers. They're all still here and on the search engines, so his wisdom and humor will continue long into the future.

During the 1990s, Mike was a system operator of the PIX ("Pension Information eXchange") BBS (i.e., a "bulletin board system"). PIX basically was a server running proprietary software on a particular dedicated personal computer that had a dedicated telephone number. Members would use their PC (and a modem) to connect via a long distance phone call, so that the latest discussions could be downloaded for reading and for adding comments. Later, when the World Wide Web became popular and PIX closed, Mike become an active participant and later a "moderator" on these BenefitsLink message boards.

An outstanding servant and leader in his profession, Mike was awarded the Edward E. Burrows Distinguished Service Award in 2017 by the ASPPA College of Pension Actuaries, which is "presented annually to a pension actuary who has gone above and beyond in forwarding ethics, education, beneficial legislation or regulations that enhance the private pension system or the professionalism of enrolled actuaries within the private pension system."

We will miss him so much!

[Bird]

So sorry to hear this. I go back to PIX days.

[Ilene Ferenczy]

So very sorry to get this news. Mike Preston was one of my favorite people in the industry.  When we both practiced in Southern California, we spoke often, and he was always kind, always patient, always ready to explain to a nonactuary what I needed to know.  When I attended actuarial sessions and discussions he led at ASPPA and other conferences, I was always impressed with his knowledge and leadership.  My heart goes out to his wife, Linda, and their family.  I will miss him!

[David Schultz]

I absolutely learned more than a few things from Mike Preston.  He was kind and intelligent, but not in the least bit pretentious.  This is sad news indeed...

[CuseFan]

So sad - and a huge loss to the profession. Rest in peace brother.

[Below Ground]

While I did not know Mike personally, I did benefit from exchanges with him.  My prayers and condolences go out to his family.

 

[truphao]

10 minutes ago, Below Ground said:

While I did not know Mike personally, I did benefit from exchanges with him.  My prayers and condolences go out to his family.

 

I second that.  This is a huge loss to the retirement benefit practitioners community.  Let him rest in peace and condolences to his family.

[AndyH]

Very sorry to hear this.  

Mike was a really important resource and contributor for a long time and could always be counted on to keep wayward commenters on their toes and in check!

But he’d apologize for his sometimes abrupt “online personality” in person.    

They didn’t make two of him! He will be missed.  

[Pension Nerd]

My sympathies to Mike's family and friends.

He was always someone whose responses I knew I could trust.  I always was proud of myself when his response was what I thought might be the correct answer!

He will be sorely missed.

[Barbara]

So sorry to hear this.  He will definitely be missed.  Condolences to the family.

[shERPA]

So sorry to hear about Mike.   I (Jim Norman) was fortunate enough to be a PIX sysop along with Mike. I learned a lot from him, he was incredibly generous with his knowledge.  I also really enjoyed the occasions when we got together.  He was one of the good guys.   RIP Mike.  

[Belgarath]

I didn't know Mike, but always respected and benefited from his knowledge and opinions. The Enrolled Actuary at my former place of employment was a PIX member, and Mike's opinions came up in discussion frequently. He'll be missed.

[Peter Gulia]

In this morning’s psalms and canticles, I’ll include prayers for Mike Preston and his family.

[imchipbrown]

Breakfast will always be chancy without Mike pulling my bacon out of the fire.  RIP Mike 🙏

 

[F Suzuki]

It’s with sadness that I learned about Mike Preston’s passing when Linda called me yesterday.  Anyone who was fortunate to spend any time with Mike, knew he was truly a unicorn. 

Technically brilliant, razor sharp intellect, generous, open and honest (even on uncomfortable subjects), always supportive, witty (very dry).   I always enjoyed hearing him laugh!

As I look at the comments on Benefitslink, and having shared news with other colleagues, I heard the comment over and over again “Mike saved my bacon!”

Rather than repeat his expertise and prowness to which all have provided testimonials, I wanted to share some stories of Mike. 

Mike, always a fan of the keyboard shortcuts, would do his best to get me to follow his lead.  As an exercise, he gave me an excel spreadsheet to do some calculations on.  I was so slow using the mouse instead of the keyboard strokes, that he never asked me to do that calculation again.  He never gave me any grief about this and I continued to work with him for the next 9 years.  Looking back on that, he was fully supportive and allowed me the freedom to show my abilities, even though they differed from his.

When Sal Tripodi was touring, a group of us would gather together to socialize, enjoy an adult beverage and have discussions about movies.  When Mike joined us, he would initially try to engage Sal in more shop talk.  We would tease him and ask him what movies he’s seen.  We finally got him to engage on the movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”.  That was a pretty fun moment when he was describing the fighting scenes to us.   

Mike was also a fan of the Sopranos.  Mike would start grooving and moving to “Woke Up This Morning.”    While they were traveling they asked me if I would record an episode for them.  I remember Linda telling me that the tape also included some of my girls tv shows that included the Bernstein Bears, etc.  She said Mike was wondering if I was trying to send him a message.  We laughed at that. 

When my wife and I started our journey to begin a family, Mike and Linda were fully supportive.  As I would later find out, Mike and Linda went down a similar journey without success.  Without Mike and Linda’s full support, we would not be parents of twin girls.  I feel fortunate that Mike and Linda have met my girls and know how much their support means to us.

Mike, you will always be in our hearts.  I’m thankful for our time together.

Frank Suzuki

[Mr Bagwell]

I did not know Mike personally... However, I knew Mike was a character.....  he will be missed!