Michael Charles Schiffer, 59

Michael Schiffer died March 8th, 2015 in Laguna Beach, California. He was born on June 27, 1955, in New York, New York to Lee and Pearl Schiffer. He leaves behind his wife Bonnie Chwalek, daughter Jamie Schiffer, sister MaryAnn Bilecki, mother Pearl Schiffer and several nieces and nephews.

Mike was a gifted individual who could accomplish anything he set his mind to doing. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Biology from Rutgers University in 1977 and a Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Western New England College in 1980. In his professional career, Mike served as Chief Patent Counsel for Baxter Healthcare Corp. and more recently, as Vice President and Chief Patent Counsel for Beckman Coulter Inc. Mike was admitted to the state bars of California, Missouri and Connecticut and was registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Mike loved his work and the opportunity it gave him to combine his passions for chemistry, biology and law into a single career.

Beyond all, Mike was a loving and devoted husband, father and family man. He will best be remembered for the love and joy that he brought to all those around him and the pride he took in being a great dad to Jamie and devoted husband and best friend to his wife Bonnie. Mike’s friends and family will remember him for his kind and gentle nature. He was quick to reach out to support those around him in times of need and to provide sage advice to those who sought his counsel.

Mike loved the outdoors and enjoyed spending time taking long bike rides on the beaches of Southern California, working out lifting weights at the gym, and hiking and fly fishing in the mountains and streams near Park City, Utah.

As Mike wished, his body will be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea. The family will hold a memorial service in celebration of Mike’s life at O’Connor Mortuary Laguna Hills Chapel, 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills CA, on March 12th at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Mike be sent to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America at www.ccfa.org or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/.