Obituary

Michael Herbert Folb passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 17th in Phoenix, AZ with his beloved wife, Barbara, by his side. He was 83 years old. Michael spent the last few weeks surrounded by family and speaking with his extensive community of friends via the telephone. Those privileged to know him will miss his friendship, sense of humor, intellect, generosity of self, loyalty, and unwavering devotion to family. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Michael loved all sports and excelled in basketball and baseball. Even in his youth, he was a student of the game learning the fundamentals of each sport as the foundation for achievement. While not in school or on the basketball court, Michael spent his summers at Camp Airy as a camper and then a counselor, passing along his love of summer camp to the next generation. Michael continued his education by attending University of Maryland, College Park where he was a proud Terrapin and a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. After joining the Army National Guard and brief call up to active duty, he ultimately graduated from the University of Baltimore with a degree in accounting. Looking to leave snowy winters in the rearview mirror, Michael decided to head west. Landing in Phoenix, Arizona with an opportunity at an accounting firm, he spent his first few nights at the YMCA in downtown Phoenix while looking for his first apartment. The YMCA would remain as a decades long constant in Michael’s life as the venue for his weekday basketball pickup games. Over the next 60+ years, Michael built incredible friendships, raised a family, impacted countless youth through his volunteer coaching, was a mentor to many, and worked to further the Jewish community of Greater Phoenix. Ultimately the Jewish Community Center became the focal point for Michael and his family to engage with the community and contribute to the greater whole. Michael’s secular volunteerism manifested closer to home as a member of the Biltmore ABEVA Board and then a 20-year stint as Treasurer of the Biltmore Hillside Villas HOA. As the son of an elementary school teacher, Michael was a lifelong learner who naturally transitioned to teaching those around him. He had an uncanny ability to bring out the best in those he taught. From warming up without a mitt at baseball to the value of compound interest, Michael leaves a legacy of acceptance of all and service to others that has had a profound impact on those he encountered. Yet Michael’s greatest superpower was his eternal optimism. It truly was his North Star and a light in the dark for so many that knew him. He never gave up on anything or anyone. Whether it was his three bouts with cancer, the last required a significant round of chemotherapy, or the social, political, and economic challenges of today, he always believed in the resilience and determination of people to find a positive outcome. What brought Michael most joy was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, cousin, and uncle. His 6 grandchildren were his greatest pride and joy. Over his final few weeks, Michael’s lifeline to the world had been his iPhone contact list. The Folb Family is eternally grateful to the friends and acquaintances whose conversations brightened his day. In addition, a very special thank you to Dr. Pierre Tariot and his team at Banner Alzheimer’s institute for their insight, care, and compassion. Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Bessie (Silverman) Folb and his sister and brother-in-law (Ina and Sheldon Berest). He is survived by his wife, Barbara, his children Stuart (Leah) Folb and Steven (Deborah) Folb, Bill (Wendy) Landis and Allison Landis, and loving dog, Sophie. Michael is also survived by six grandchildren, Emerald McLaughlin and Sam Folb of Houston, TX, Brandon and Alexa Folb of Davis, CA, Tanner and Danielle Landis of Chandler, AZ, and grand-dogs Just Jack, Whole Lot of Rosie Queen of Corona, Thibodeaux, Jasper, Radar, and Gazzel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Valley of the Sun JCC Youth Sports Program and Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in the memory of Michael Folb.