IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - September/October 2021 - 91

friendship commenced. Mike proved
himself to be a very competent engineer
with extraordinary technical
knowledge while remaining humble
and very willing to listen to the realities
of experienced elders. AEP's acquisition
of the Columbus and Southern
utility led to the relocation of AEP
to Columbus, Ohio, and the scattering
of many, including Mike, who did not
wish to leave the New York area.
Michael and I went our separate
ways, but our associations with IEEE
PES enabled our reunification. During
my time as the executive director
of PES and with Mike's involvement
with our Society, we were able to reconnect.
After my retirement as PES
executive director and installation as
the founding EIC of our newly created
IEEE Power & Energy Magazine,
Mike and I spoke. He made a strong,
impressive argument for association
with the editorial aspects of this publication.
Without hesitation, I accepted
his offer and invited him to join the
magazine's editorial board, where he
quickly became a truly valuable asset
as a talented author as well as a superb
guest editor whose contributions were
always highly regarded.
When the time came for me to step
down and lead the search for a replacement,
I knew that I need not look too
hard because Michael was my prime
candidate. He was totally familiar with
the routines that had been established
and understood the criteria that governed
the publication and what was
required to meet the needs of potential
authors. He also understood the
role of IEEE Publications in the process
and was familiar with the staff.
The only drawback was his hesitation
to undertake the challenge, which
would be in addition to the workload
at ISO New England. I cannot convey
my pleasure when I finally learned
that he would accept.
Mike's five-year tenure as the EIC
was an unqualified success. I admired
each issue, noting both the timely
theme as well as the quality of the
selected articles. I was aware of the
editorial support that his son Robert
september/october 2021
contributed and how proud that made
Mike feel.
Mike and I were in touch during his
five years as editor and through all of
the travails of this past year. I marvel
as I think of his attitude as his condition
went through a sinusoidal curve
toward the inevit able ending. During
that year, he spoke of the love
for his family that I know was totally
reciprocated. My thoughts today are
not only of Mike, but
also of Dorita, Robert,
and Gabby, and I can
only offer my sincerest
condolences. Rest
in
peace, my friend!
-Mel Olken, IEEE
Power & Energy
Magazine EIC,
2003-2016
trance since we had our tickets while
Mike headed to the ticket line. Soon
after settling into our seats, Mike walked
down the aisle and sat down next to us. We
wondered how he obtained his ticket
right next to where we were sitting.
Amazing what that man with Brooklyn
sensibilities could arrange with a ticket
agent! We went to a game again at
the next General Meeting, where I had
the pleasure to meet his son, Robert.
I sadly remember
Beyond the
Technical
I met Mike when he
was at NYPA and I
was at General Electric.
We both changed
jobs in the 1998-1999
time frame but continued
to work on several
IEEE PES committees
together over the years
and were both members
of IEEE Power & Energy Magazine's
editorial board.
We bonded over baseball and the
The family asks
those wishing
to honor Mike's
memory to
continue his
commitment to
the engineering
profession by
donating to
the IEEE PES
Scholarship Plus
Initiative.
New York Yankees. Mike would say,
" When I was a kid, I had to become
a Yankees fan because the devil himself,
Walter O'Malley, moved the
Brooklyn Dodgers to some far-away
place named Los Angeles, California. "
I became a Yankees fan while living
near the Yankees AA farm team in
upstate New York, where I watched
the young kids who eventually became
four-time World Series winners from
1996 to 2000.
One favorite memory I have is attending
a Tampa Ray's game with a
colleague while at the 2007 PES General
Meeting. Mike was also on his
way to the game, so we shared a cab
to the stadium. We split up at the ena
phone call I got from
Mike in April 2020.
In privacy, he shared
about his illness and
his planned course of
treatment. He asked if
I could help with the upcoming
issues of IEEE
Power & Energy Magazine
beyond my role
of associate editor,
History. I immediately
said yes. The arrangement
came with unlimited
support from Robert
to assist with the remaining
2020 issues. Mike
contributed as much as
his treatment schedule
allowed throughout the
remainder of 2020.
We will all miss a
great man, a power and energy professional,
a husband to Dorita, a father to
Robert and Gabby, a dedicated EIC,
and a dear friend.
-John Paserba, IEEE Power &
Energy Interim EIC, 2020
To Donate in Mike's Honor
Please go to the " IEEE Tribute Giving "
webpage (https://www.ieeefoundation
.org/how-to-give/tribute-giving) and
provide all relevant information. Below
" Donation Information, " click the
dropdown arrow right of " Designation "
and select " IEEE PES Scholarship
Plus Fund. " Next, below " Tribute
Information, " enter " Mike Henderson. "
To the right of " Type, " select " In
Memory of. " Click " Donate Now "
to finish.
p&e
ieee power & energy magazine
91
https://www.ieeefoundation.org/how-to-give/tribute-giving https://www.ieeefoundation.org/how-to-give/tribute-giving
IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - September/October 2021

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