Michael (Micha) Lutz Bohr
Michael (Micha) Lutz Bohr
December 26, 1942 – August 6, 2018
Peacefully at home on August 6. Much-loved husband of Sally McBeth, devoted father to Lars Bohr, father-in-law to Nicole Bohr, and soon to be a grandfather. Brother of Stefan Bohr and the late Axel Bohr. Cherished uncle to Marco, Nico, Kristian, Daniel, Andrew, Nathan, Emily, Benjamin, and Allan. Deeply missed by sisters-in-law Madeline, Christiane, Martha, and Andrea.
Micha was born in Berlin, Germany to Ernst and Ursula Bohr and spent his childhood and adolescence in the mountains of Upper Silesia, Poland, where he and his brothers became excellent skiers. He studied law and economics at the University of Frankfurt. As a young man he loved to hike and motor bike in the far north of Sweden and enjoyed life on the Italian island of Elba and camping and snorkeling on the south side of Grecian Crete.
After he came to Canada to marry Sally in 1980, they had great times with friends in a century+ cabin in rural Ontario. He and Sally crisscrossed the continent, camping in a used van Micha carefully rigged up with all the conveniences. His photography from these times is stunning.
Micha was always building or fixing things or at least preventing them from falling apart. “Das ist nur provisorisch,” he would always say. “That’s just a temporary fix.” On to the next project.
In 1986, five months after Lars was born, Micha was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He was able to completely recover from this deadly disease thanks to a bone marrow transplant, donated by his brother Stefan and transplanted by a pioneering medical team in Toronto.
Lars will never forget canoe trips with his Dad among the islands of Georgian Bay, in Algonquin Park, and on northern rivers. Micha was fascinated by optical equipment of all kinds. He spent many fine nights with his telescopes, showing us the stars and planets and explaining their movements.
Later in life, Micha fell in love with ballroom dancing and became a skilled, enthusiastic, and gentlemanly presence at the Joy of Dance studio, where he was much loved by teachers and fellow students alike. His teacher Nicole told him, “You feel music and have never seemed afraid to dance off beat (for a couple of bars) if it meant you could better express the feeling within the melody.”
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Micha’s medical teams at Princess Margaret and Toronto Western Hospitals, and to the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care.
Celebration of Life
We will celebrate Micha’s life on Saturday, August 25 between 2 and 4:30 p.m. at our home, 255 Viewmount Ave., Toronto M6B 1V1.
Donations
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity or cause of your choice.
Offer Condolence for the family of Michael (Micha) Lutz Bohr
Joan
Micha was a wonderful person, and skilled dance practice partner. I will never forget his kindness. All the best to his family during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Joan
Nancy Newton
I am so sorry to hear your sad news, and wanted you to know that you are all in my thoughts. He will be missed. With Sincere Sympathy.
Lynn Burgess
So sorry to hear of Micha’s passing. He was one of those individuals who seemed to know something about everything! I will remember all our family dinners and his cheerful personality. Our thoughts are with you all.
Sally McBeth
Much love to you and your family, Lynn, after a sad week that included the loss of the amazing Bill Burgess. Big circles of hugs and love around us all — we have shared a lot. x0 Sally and family
Georgie Magill
Dear Sally:
I am very sorry for your loss. You are such a tiny family and to lose a member is truly awful.
I am glad that you have many happy memories.
Neil James and Peta Spear
We were so sorry to hear of Micha’s passing. We will always remember warmly the times we spent after plain language conferences in Stockholm and Vancouver in particular, exploring the city with Sally and Micha. Such a warm and generous man and a joy to be with. Peta and I send our love and best wishes.
Brenda Silver
Dear Sally,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. With love, Brenda and Phil.
Cathy Pike
Dear Sally
I’m very sorry to hear about your loss. I always enjoyed talking with Micha, and you, at the wonderful evenings you and Micha hosted at your home.
Deepest sympathy,
Cathy Pike
John Stapleton
Dear Sally
Please share our condolences with your family. Micha was extremely insightful into many aspects of the human condition. We will miss him. Take all the time you need. We shall recall him fondly.
John and Barbara
Kevin Maynard
Sally,
My sincere condolences. I know that you have been going through a long and difficult journey. Rest with the memories of good times and bad, as they will help you heal. I know from experience that you will emerge on the brighter side.
Hugs,
Kevin Maynard
Heather Armour
Dear Sally, Lars, Nicole and extended family,
Please accept my deepest condolences. Although I only met Micha recently (in the past 5 years) he made an impression. He was kind and thoughtful, erudite and scholarly and always curious and interested in the world around him. Reading the obituary you printed here I was touched and pleased to know that you shared a rich and interesting life together and you enriched each other and the people you met along the way. May he rest in peace and may all the time you spent together in joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health bring you some peace as well. You are loved. In sympathy.
Sol and Ruhama Goldstein
Dear Friends,
Micha will be missed in our lovely neighbourhood where his presence was always valued. Wishing all of you nothing but the best in this difficult time.
Sol and Ruhama Goldstein
Pat Dumas-Hudecki
Dear Sally and Family
My sincere sympathies to what you have and must be going through. I never met Micha but his life sounds like it was rich in adventures, friendships and your love. May you find the strength to smile with the many memories.
peace, Pat
Judy Blackwell
Dear Micha – Stargazer, deep thinker beyond the ordinary concerns of daily life. Yet also a tender server of sliced cured meats and exotic cheeses, a guy who believed you could never have enough parkas in the closet.
So very much missed. Deepest sympathy to you Sally, Lars, Nicole and the family.
Love Judy
Ruth Baldwin
My thoughts are with you,Lars and Nicole at this sad time. I enjoyed the few occasions I got to visit with Micha – his old-world charm, his gentle wit, and his willingness to explore the back streets to find something new and delightful, always impressed me. I’m sorry I can’t be with you for the memorial but I’ll be thinking of you. Take care of one another.
Madeline and Stefan Bohr
Dear Sally, Lars, and Nicole,
After a year of leave-taking and family farewells, Micha has now gone, leaving a hole in all our lives. He gave us all so much. From afar, we had great comfort knowing that his loving family was there for him on his last journey, and that he was able to end his days as he wished. May he now rest in peace.
Wishing you love and patience to manage this new phase of adjustment.
Love,
Madeline and Stefan
Maria
My dearest Sally,
I am deeply saddened by the news of Micha’s passing. He will be remembered with much warmth and fondness, and my thoughts are always with you as you celebrate his remarkable life.
Love,
Maria
Hanifa
Dear Sally, Lars and Nicole
My condolences for your loss. Micha leaves a lot of good memories in our hearts and minds.
Hanifa
Judy Kondrat
Dearest Sally, I am so sorry to hear if Micha’s passing. My deepest condolences to you and Lars. Hugs, Judy
Half-Russian, no longer dancing
We danced briefly in an Argentine Tango class. Micha thought I was French 🙂 He softly corrected a few steps I was doing wrong. That’s how I will remember him. True gentleman. Real German. Warmest thanks to his family.
Susan Duciaume
Micha,
We met you only 2 or 3 years ago, and immediately liked you. Charming, good-humoured, approachable — part-diplomat, part-explorer. We regret not experiencing your dancing skills, but perhaps you can show us how and gently correct us when we meet again.
Sally, our thoughts are with you, Lars and Nicole.
Susan Duciaume and Frank Koustrup
Magda Petras
To Sally and Family,
We are truly sorry to hear about your loss. He was a wonderful person and he will be truly missed and always be remembered. We will miss his company on our canoeing trips.
Our condolences to you and your Family.
Magda & Maciej Petras
Peter Rensen
I’m so sorry for your loss. Micha was a great friend to our family and he will be remembered fondly
Christine Mowat
August 24
Sally,
I want you to know that Lorne and my hearts are with you, especially tomorrow. You are a strong and loving woman who will always be part of my life. We have fine memories of time spent with you and Micha after many of our PLAIN conferences around the world. Know that we will always welcome you here at our Edmonton home and Spring Lake cottage. Dear Sally, we are with you in spirit right now.
Love always,
Christine and Lorne
Marco Blefari
I am extremely saddened to know that Mischa is no longer with us. I remember with great fondness our conversations about history and politics while feasting on his wonderful mint roast lamb. My heartfelt condolences to his family, both here in Canada and Germany.
Nicole
To Sally, Lars, Nicole, and Micha’s extended family,
Micha was a very special person. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know him. On the dance floor, Micha brought kindness, courtesy and a unique sense of joie de vivre. He will be dearly missed but not forgotten.
Please accept my condolences.
Nicole
Christine Mowat
Dearest Sally,
I’m sure Micha had the best wife he could ever have had! I’ve always enjoyed your company in many countries and remember enjoying your and Micha’s on our boat trip in Stockholm when Lorne was with me, too.
Lorne and I send you our love. Know that your relationship was a joy to have for so long. Know that you will always be welcome to come and stay with us at our Edmonton home and our cottage. Wish we lived closer . . .
Love always,
Chrsitine
Audrey Riffenburgh
Dearest Sally,
I did not know your husband and did not know he was ill. I’m so very sorry for your loss and his passing. He sounds like a remarkable and fun man. That’s no surprise since you are such a wonderful person as well. I wish you and your family healing and a sacred journey as you become accustomed to his presence in a different way. I believe he is still near you.
May all your memories lift your hearts and give your spirits hope.
In solidarity and love!
Audrey in New Mexico