Houston, Michael Edmund
February 26, 1941 ~ July 16, 2008 Michael Edmund (Mickey) Houston passed away peacefully at home in Blacksburg on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, surrounded by family members.
He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Cheri (Murray); his children, Michael and wife, Lee-Ann, Beth and husband, Tim, and Patrick and wife, Vanessa; and brother, Craig (Ziggy). Poppy is missed dearly by grandchildren, Lauren, Kaylie, Jacob, Jordan, Mikeeli, Bryn, Kellen and Madelyn. Mike was predeceased by his parents, Ed and Betty Houston.
Mike was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto and with a Ph.D from University of Waterloo. He began his teaching career as a high school teacher in Toronto, then was a professor at University of Waterloo, University of British Columbia and a visiting professor at the University of Texas Health Science Centre.
As a professor of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, he was conferred the “professor emeritus” title on June 20, 2008. A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1998, Mike contributed to the knowledge of muscle function and metabolism through a lifetime of scholarly research that led to the publication of numerous research papers, reviews, book chapters and a textbook. A dedicated teacher, he introduced the principle and techniques of kinesiology and human nutrition to thousands of undergraduate and graduate students.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Harry McCoy and his staff and our hospice nurse, Amanda Sapienza, for their support during Mike’s journey.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2008, at Wallace Hall at Virginia Tech. A memorial service is also being planned for Waterloo, Ontario and details will be available soon.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Mike Houston Memorial Scholarship would be appreciated. They may be sent to Virginia Tech, University Development (0336), 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Va. 24061. Checks should be made payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation. Please note Mike Houston Memorial Scholarship in the memo section of your check.