Longtime Milwaukeean M. Michael Weber, of Glendale, died of respiratory failure on Dec. 22. He was 93.
He was born Meyer Weber in Salem Township, Pa., into a family that was one of only a handful of Jewish farmers in northeastern Pennsylvania, according to his family.
Weber graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1940 with a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology. He played on several championship varsity soccer teams and participated in planting the university’s rose garden while he was a student there.
A biochemist and microbiologist, he worked on creating synthetic rubber, during World War II, and was the holder of several patents. He was employed by The Seagram Company in Baltimore.
He moved to Milwaukee from Philadelphia in 1949 and worked for Pabst Brewing and Paul-Lewis Laboratories, where he became vice president. He founded and served as president of Midwest Biochemical Corp. and Semco Laboratories, Milwaukee. In addition, he taught chemistry at Milwaukee School of Engineering.
He was a founder and active member of Congregation Shalom, where he served as president, taught ninth-grade religious school classes for 25 years, participated in Shabbat Torah study and served on the social action and religious school committees.
He was also active in other Jewish and general organizations including the Milwaukee Area Interfaith Relations Conference, American Jewish Committee-Milwaukee Chapter, Wisconsin Society for Jewish Learning, Milwaukee Art Museum’s Lakefront Festival of the Arts, Lake Bluff Elementary School PTA and Shorewood Historical Society.
In 2003, he was awarded the William and Fannie Kesselman Senior Service Award for a lifetime of contributions to the community.
He was an avid golfer and was interested in painting and stained glass art. He loved Milwaukee’s cultural offerings, especially the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
His wife Sylvia Dorothy Weber, nee Cook, whom he married on Valentine’s Day, 1943, preceded him in death in 1999. He is survived by daughters Mindy (William) Burke of Whitefish Bay and Liz (William Porteous) Weber Porteous of North Andover, Mass.; son Dan (Shelley) Weber of Glendale; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Rabbi Ronald Shapiro officiated at services on Dec. 23. Burial was in Mound Zion Cemetery.
The family appreciates memorial contributions to the Wisconsin Society for Jewish Learning or Congregation Shalom.
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