[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF LARRY MICHELS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2000

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a local 
entrepreneur and community personality whose leadership and innovation 
profoundly affected all who knew and worked with him. Mr. Larry Michels 
passed away on November 8, 1999 at the age of 68.
  Born in Chicago, Illinois on January 17, 1931, Larry was the founder 
and genius behind Santa Cruz County's largest high-tech enterprises, 
Santa Cruz Operation. Launched with his son and current Chief Executive 
Officer, Doug Michels, out of a small Victorian house in Santa Cruz's 
downtown periphery, the father and son team's visionary approach and 
determination created Santa Cruz Operation into a business of 1,200 
fiercely loyal employees. The company found a niche in the high-tech 
industry by placing the Unix operating system on Intel-based computers 
which propelled Santa Cruz Operations to the forefront of the Unix 
software movement.
  Described as a passionate and dynamic leader who inspired the 
``loyalty and admiration of many employees,'' (Doug Michels, SCO CEO) 
Larry resigned his position in 1992 and retired to Evergreen, Colorado 
where he soon returned to his entrepreneurial roots taking an active 
role in launching and developing startups as well as re-engineering 
existing companies. It is a combination of Larry's natural talent and 
creative genius, his vivacious and dauntless personality as well as his 
hardworking and determined spirit that makes him such a memorable and 
respected member of the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing 
the valuable contributions of Larry Michels whose leadership in our 
community has profoundly impacted and influenced the many who were 
privileged to know and work with him through the years. The products of 
Mr. Michels' genius continue with us today through his homegrown 
company, Santa Cruz Operations. Mr. Larry Michels will be missed and 
his years of achievement and innovation will not be forgotten. Larry is 
survived by his companion, Geri Snyder; sons, Doug, Jordan and David 
Michels; daughter, Dia Michels; sister, Barbara Michels; former wife, 
Loni Michels; and seven grandchildren.

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