Roll Call Tribute

Michael Allen Blaschke 

July 29, 1949 - January 24, 2025 

Michael Allen Blaschke passed away at home in Collins, New York on January 24, 2025.

Michael was born on July 29, 1949 to Oscar Theodore Blaschke and Matilda Marie Blaschke in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was the youngest of six children and was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Dorothy Mae Merkord, Norma Lee Payne, Ruth Miller, Herbert Blaschke, and Laura Dell Blaschke.

He graduated from Texas A&M University in August of 1972 with a degree in electrical engineering. He spent his career working all over the world as a process controls engineer and computer programmer. In his own words, he said, “I design the automation programs that run industrial plants and equipment. Other people say that I just play with computers all day.”

Michael was an accomplished musician and enjoyed both classical and contemporary choral music. The a cappella music of barbershop harmonies was his favorite. He sang with and competed with choruses and quartets in Washington, Oregon, Texas, Colorado, New York, and Toronto. Michael also enjoying singing in church at the Gowanda Free Methodist Church and the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Buffalo, New York. Other hobbies he enjoyed were gardening, cooking, photography and traveling.

Michael was married to Cindy Colgate in 1970. Together they raised a daughter in residences in Texas and Washington state before their eventual divorce.

In 1989, Michael met Edith Schell on a Sierra Club trip to Mt. St. Helens. Michael was leading a trail restoration trip and Edith drove her car full of supplies and food cross-country from her home in Collins, NY. After that adventure together, Michael and Edith began a long distance romance, culminating in Michael’s move across country and into Edith’s home. Michael and Edith shared a home and life and the things they were both passionate about - gardening and canning and cooking the fruits of their labors, singing, and exploring the world together.

Michael is survived by his daughter, Sandi (Blaschke) Seelke, and his grandchildren Marissa (aka Nico) Seelke, Mikaela Seelke, and Michael-John Seelke, all of Austin, TX.

No memorial service is planned at this time. However, the family plans to return Michael’s remains to Corpus Christi so he may rest alongside his parents and siblings.

Arrangements are by the SCHINDLER FUNERAL HOME 44 Center St. Gowanda, NY