Michael Francis Welsh, born April 5, 1943, died on the first of March 2020. Mike was a smart and dedicated student that loved to read. Mike was granted the National Merit Scholarship in 1961, after his graduation from Gonzaga Preparatory School. He attended the University of Pennsylvania as a National Merit Scholar and after graduating from Penn he continued his education at the Wharton School of Business, receiving his MBA from Wharton in 1967. 

Mike moved to Olympia in 1971 and resided in Olympia with his wife and two daughters until his death. Mike’s wife Sharon was an educator her entire working career and retired as the Assistant School Superintendent of the Yelm School District. Mike and Sharon sent their two daughters, Lindsay and Kelly, to Olympia grade schools and they both graduated from Olympia High School. Mike spent most of his career working with the State of Washington and retired as CEO of the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals. In Mike’s memory, his family has established the Mike and Sharon Welsh Scholarship Fund to benefit a graduating senior from Olympia High School (OHS), planning to pursue studies related to education or teaching.