Michael Ray Spence, 73
Dr. Michael Ray Spence, 73, passed away at his home from a pulmonary embolism on Dec. 25, 2012, in Lakeside.
He was born in Marion, Ind., and grew up in Farmington, N.M.
Michael received his baccalaureate degree at New Mexico State University in 1962, received his Doctor of Medicine from New Mexico State University in 1968, and a master’s degree in public health from the Johns Hopkins University in 1980.
Michael served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1975 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and in U.S. Army Fifth Field Hospital and the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization Research Laboratory in Bangkok, Thailand.
Michael dedicated his life to practicing and teaching medicine and public health. He made medicine come alive with his stories and life experiences. Throughout his career he mentored hundreds of medical and public health students and young practitioners to support and broaden their careers and their lives. Michael taught medicine as an associate professor of gynecology and obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore from 1975 to 1984. From 1984 to 1991, he was a professor and chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Throughout his career Michael advocated for and served the poor and the disenfranchised. As an example, he established and directed a dedicated clinic to provide services to people living with HIV and AIDS in Philadelphia. In 1997, Michael and his wife Judy moved to the Kalispell area. Michael served as the chief medical officer for the State of Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services from 1997 until 2004. Michael then served as the medical liaison for quality management at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center until his death. Michael had the gift of curiosity. Throughout his professional career he was an investigator on numerous research grants and projects, and he published 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters.
Michael also had a passion to push himself to learn and experience new things throughout his life. He ran marathons on multiple continents, and he was an avid aviator and photographer. Over the past 15 years he loved hiking and backpacking the trails of Montana with his numerous friends, particularly in Glacier National Park.
Michael is survived by his wife, Judith; children, Michael C. Spence, wife Laura and granddaughter Carey Michele Spence, all of Baltimore, Melissa A. (Spence) Ley and husband Richard Ley of Columbia, Tenn., and Thomas L. Spence and wife Brigitte, grandchildren Casey, Ezekiel, Sarah Grace and Naomi Ruth, all of Cameron, N.C. He also leaves behind his pets, Sadie, Robbie, Katie and Molly.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Salvation Army.
A celebration of Michael’s life will be held at a later date.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Michael’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Michael's tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.