Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

About

Medical University of South Carolina Miami University

Michael Strantz Obituary

STRANTZ, Michael Michael J Strantz passed away on Friday, June 10, 2005. He was at home in Awendaw with his family. Mike was born in Toledo, Ohio on May 27, 1955 and grew up in Wallbridge, Ohio. He was a star athlete at Lake High School (Millbury, Ohio) playing football and hockey, and he was captain of the baseball team and senior class president. Mike was best known as a successful golf course designer, but those close to him knew he was a devoted family man, gourmet cook, gifted artist, music collector, collegiate hockey player, and lover of cats, dogs, and horses. While his passion for designing and building golf courses brought him acclaim, he was proudest of his beautiful daughters, Dana and Andrea. He met his wife Heidi when they were in college, and they were married for 26 years, life-long devoted partners and friends. Mike always loved golf. His dad, Jack Strantz, taught him the sport when Mike was young. At age 14 he started working on the grounds crew at Chippewa Golf Club (Curtis, Ohio). In the early hours of the morning, Mike rode his bike to work he was too young to have a driver's license. In college, Mike stated as a studio art major at Miami University (OH), but after two years he transferred to Michigan State and received his degree in turf grass management. While working on the grounds crew for the 1978 U.S. Open at Inverness Club (Toledo, OH), Mike was tapped by Tom Fazio to work on his golf course construction crew in Hilton Head, SC operating heavy equipment as a shaper of tees, fairways, and greens. Over time, Mike rose to project supervisor, but living on the road took its toll, and after eight years he tipped his hat good bye to golf course construction. For him, it had been a great experience working with the Fazio team, but he was ready to take a break and return to his artist roots. However, the golf industry did not forget his talent. In 1993 Mike was asked to design a small gold course on Pawley's Island, SC. Caledonia Golf and Fish club was a success, and Mike knew he had found the perfect job. Nine golf courses show his talent for design and bear his name: Caledonia (SC), True Blue (SC), Bulls Bay (SC), Tobacco Road (NC), Tot Hill Farm (NC), Royal New Kent (VA), Stonehouse (VA), Silver Creek Valley (CA), and Monterey Peninsula Shore Course (CA). Forrest Felzer, a god friend and golf professional, was Mike's project supervisor on more than half the courses. With the help of Forrrest and talented crewmembers, Jeff and Mike Jones, many courses have received awards and are known all over the world. Little known, though, is that Mike could operate every piece of equipment on the construction site with expertise and experience. He always knew the name of every person who worked on his golf courses and any family concerns. In fact, Mike had a fondness for the little guy , whether it was a laborer or a grocery clerk. He respected hard work and honesty above status or money. Mike was a quiet man with strong spiritual beliefs. He designed the stained glass cross in the new sanctuary of Sunrise Presbyterian church, Sullivan's Island, (SC) after Hurricane Hugo destroyed the church in 1989. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Heidi, daughters Dana and Andrea, parents jack and Jan Strantz of Perrysburg, OH, and Sister Kelly Baugh of Indianapolis. Other family members are Barbara Walker of Sylvania, OH, Dave Walker (Karin) of Sylvania, OH, Greg Walker (Harriet) of Goose Creek, SC, Laura Bierer (Rob), Raleigh, NC, and David Baugh of Indianapolis. He was fortunate to have loving nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and hundreds of friends during his lifetime. Friends may visit the family at MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC on Monday, June 13, 2005 from 5-8 PM. Funeral services will be held at sunrise Presbyterian Church, 3222 Middle Street., Sullivan's Island, SC on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 2PM. The family would like to send a special thank you to the devoted staff at the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, and the loving employees of Charleston Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Michael Strantz to: Head and Neck Cancer Research Fund Dept. of Otolaryngology, PO Box 250550, Charleston, SC 29425 or Hospice of Charleston, 3870 Leeds Ave., Suite 101, N. Charleston, SC 29405. Condolences may be sent via e-mail to www.mcalister-smith.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Jun. 12 to Jun. 13, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Strantz

16 Entries

Maury Miller

June 29, 2005

Words cannot describe the sorrow & feelings of the loss of Michael. He will always be remembered by all who touched his life. I pray for you & his family in this difficult & troublesome time. I know he is a better place, peaceful & without pain. We were blessed to have had Michael in our lives. May God hold you & comfort you in this journey of Faith.

The Schueler's

June 19, 2005

Heidi, Dana, and Andrea,

So sorry to hear about Mike's passing. We love you all very much and will miss Mike everyday. Our loss is Heaven's gain. Mike is laughing with Jesus and we can't wait to be reunited with him one day. We are thinking of all of you and love you very much!!

God Bless and be your source of strength in this difficult time.

John 14:18

Love, Tommy, Deborah, Tyler and Harrison

Toula Hubbard

June 16, 2005

Heidi~

I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May your memories give you some comfort during this difficult time. Mike was a special man and he will be missed.

Fondly,

Toula

Rebecca Boyce

June 16, 2005

Dana,

I am so sorry for your loss. Keep your wonderful memories of your dad close to your heart. They will sustain you through the hard times of missing him. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. You are in my prayers.

FREDDIE TRAVIS

June 15, 2005

Heidi, Dana ,Andy and all the Strantz Family,

Let me start by saying my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Heidi, Mike will be sorely missed by alot of people. I spent alot of time with Mike while building Caledonia and True Blue, with long days riding on the mule with Mike and Gretta, walking and painting lines all day and watching him draw was just a treat. I have so many great memories of him I could go on and on ...He could never know how much I appreciate all the things that he taught me. I have some sketches that Mike drew and would be happy for you to have them. Again, please remember that he will never be forgotten.

Sincerely,

Freddie Travis

Barefoot Resort & Golf

Kevin Thompkins

June 14, 2005

Heidi,

Mike will be sorely missed not only by his family,but by all of us who got to know him in the golf industry.I got the the pleasure of working with Mike @ two of his great golf courses (Caledonia and True Blue)and traveling to California with you and him for golf. I have many fond memories from all of these occasions. I hope that I can take what I learned from Mike and keep one of his great creations looking its very best. Mike has left with us many great treasures and he will surely be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.

David & Cheryl Ellis

June 14, 2005

Heidi, Dana and Andrea:

Cheryl and I were so sorry to hear the news about Mike yesterday. I know we have not seen each other in a while, but we had such a good time with you and Mike during our early Mt. Pleasant days and with Annie and Dana being friends. I will never forget Mike's help to me and my family after Hugo, getting me a job when ours was lost at Wild Dunes.

Our thoughts are with you.

Herb and Marjorie Fuldner

June 13, 2005

Heidi:

We are Tom,s parents. We just met Mike two years ago. We certainly missed seeing him and Tom his freshman year at Miami since we were living in England at that time. Tom spoke often of Mike and thought so much of him. Our thoughts and our prayers are with your family and with Mike,s parents and all those who were close to him.

God Bless,and may God hold you all in the palm of his hand.

Marjorie and Herb Fuldner

Southgate, Kentucky

Dennis Myers

June 13, 2005

Heidi, our thoughts are with you and the girls during this most difficult time. Mike is remembered as a very special person and a dear friend.

With deepest sympathy,

Dennis & Renee Myers

=

Barefoot Resort & Golf/ Grounds Maintenance

June 13, 2005

All of us who knew Mike, would like the family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Kevin Sutherland

June 13, 2005

Dear Heidi and family- our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Mike was a good man and highly respected and loved by all who worked with him and knew him. All of us at Fazio Golf Course Designers here in the west offer our sincere condolences.

Doc & Martha Lachicotte

June 13, 2005

Heidi,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mike was a very special person to us.

Doc & Martha

Shari Stauch

June 13, 2005

Much love Heidi, Dana and Andrea, to each of you as you mourn Mike's passing... and celebrate his life and his love for each of you.

Shari and family

Tim Hefner

June 13, 2005

Sorry for your loss, May God be with your family in this time of need.

Leigh & Jules Deas

June 12, 2005

Entire Stranzt Family,

May our Lord continue to be with you during this sorrowful time.

Much Love,

Leigh and Jules Deas

Peggy Wheeler-Cribb

June 12, 2005

Heidi, I will continue to pray the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for you, Dana, Andrea and the entire family. I have joined our friends Bob and Jane Sizemore in prayers through this entire ordeal. I hurt for you in your loss and pray to God to continue to sustain you.

Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results