David Michael Miklesh

MORA, Minn. - David Michael Miklesh, 33, of Athens, Ga. passed away unexpectedly on June 28, 2018 in Denver, Colo.

David is survived by the love of his life Lindsey Brooker, his parents Andrew and Jolene of Isle, brother Thomas of Brainerd, sister Rebecca of Isle, grandmother Marian Bicknese of Eyota, uncles Louis (Karen) Miklesh of Tavares, Fla, Robert (Sandy) Miklesh of Ironwood, Mich., John (Cindy) Miklesh of Fresno, Calif., Aunts Judy Brandt of Eyota, Barbara (Steve) Dubanoski of Burnsville, Patti (Randy) Nowak of Winnebago, Peggy (Rick) Schmidt of Eyota, and Betty (Jeff) Riess of Elmwood, Wis. and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Louis and Katy Miklesh of Ironwood, and grandfather Ervin Bicknese of Eyota.

David was born July 7, 1984 in Coon Rapids. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Anoka. He attended Andover Elementary School, Oakview Middle School and graduated from Anoka High School where he participated in music and sports. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics with a minor in Astronomy from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and was an exchange student at Umea University in Sweden, where he traveled Europe and Russia. He was completing his Doctorate in Marine Science and Computer Modeling at the University of Georgia. In 2017 he received the UGA Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award.

David enjoyed hunting, fishing, mountain biking and music. He was a member of the Athens Symphony Orchestra playing the bass. He recently received his scuba diving certification. He was a judge of many science and engineering fairs for Clark County, Ga. schools and participated in the Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens. He was the Outreach Coordinator of the Marine Science Graduate Student Association of UGA. He was a member of the American Water Resources Association, the American Geophysical Union and the International Erosion Control Association. He participate in numerous conferences traveling to Puerto Rico and many cities throughout the United States.

David will be remembered for his great smile, a good conversationalist, his passion for the environment especially water and his love of teaching.

Funeral services will be on August 2 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wahkon. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 a.m., Mass at 11 am with interment immediately following at Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Large Lake Observatory at the University of Minnesota Duluth, The Center for Addiction Neuroscience University of Minnesota or the Athens Symphony Orchestra, Athens GA.

Online condolences can be left at methvenfuneralhome.com.