MICHAEL LEE BLACK's Obituary
On Saturday, July 15th, Michael Black, a beloved father, husband, friend, mentor, and hurricane research meteorologist joined his Mother, Father, Sister, and Wife in Heaven.
Michael had two passions: People and Hurricanes. He spent his work days enjoying new insights into how hurricanes worked “on the fly”, while at the same time marveling at the beauty of it all, and also applied that same theory to his life outside of the workplace.
Mike was a research meteorologist with the Hurricane Research Division of NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, Florida. He work there for 32 years. His research involved the use of airborne radar data and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) dropwindsondes, which are deployed in and around tropical cyclones from the NOAA P-3 and G-IV hurricane hunter aircraft. Michael's lasting legacies was his pioneering use of GPS dropwindsonde data to sample the eyewall of hurricanes that revolutionized how hurricane meteorologists estimate the intensity of hurricanes. This work lead to a Mike and his colleagues receiving the 2003 US Department of Commerce Gold Medal and a seminal journal article that received the prestigious Banner I. Miller award from the American Meteorological Society.
He was involved with NOAA's annual hurricane field program where he designed flight experiments and operated several of the weather instruments onboard the aircraft. Michael flew into the eye of over 50 hurricanes over the last 27 years. Mike was also a key member of the NOAA team that pioneered the use of the unmanned areal system called the Global Hawk. In partnership with NASA, Mike used the Global Hawk dropwindsonde observations to improve hurricane forecast guidance. Beyond Mike's significant scientific accomplishments, he served the AOML staff as the Union steward since 2000. Mike gave scientific and public interest presentations on hurricane research developments at conferences and symposiums and has authored several papers dealing with hurricane structure and dynamics. Mike was a valued colleague and friend..
His light continues to shine through his cherished 5 children: Brinn-Heather Black, Jordyn-Ashley Black, Austyn-Michele Black, Michael Alexander Black, James Brian Black, as well as his many friends, colleagues and extended family members.
"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come"
A Celebration of life will be held at 1:30 PM today Wednesday, July 19th at Michael's beloved workplace, the Hurricane Research Division of AOML/NOAA.
(4301 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149)
In recognition for his love, honor, and contributions,
Mike's ashes will be scattered by a NOAA hurricane hunter airplane into the eye of a hurricane.
In Lieu of flowers, please make donations in Michael's name to the Cumberland Heights Spiritual fund.
Here is more information about the Spiritual services they provide, and the link to make the donations:
https://www.cumberlandheights.org/giving/donate/the-memorial-fund/
https://www.cumberlandheights.org/giving/donate/the-endowment-fund/
What’s your fondest memory of MICHAEL?
What’s a lesson you learned from MICHAEL?
Share a story where MICHAEL's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with MICHAEL you’ll never forget.
How did MICHAEL make you smile?