Myron A. Soltau
April 21, 1938 - October 17, 2012
Obituary
Goodbye to Myron A. Soltau, who was a true cowboy through and through. He never complained once and gave to those he cared about as if they were his own kids. Dad, we will miss you!
Myron A. Soltau passed away on October 17, 2012 in Seattle, Washington, due to underlying complications from MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), which he battled courageously for several years. He was surrounded by his family, and he was able to bid farewell to us all. Throughout his fight to get well, he taught us many lessons about grace and courage, which were consistent themes in his life.
He was born April 21, 1938 in Monticello, Utah, to Loya Gardner and Myron O. Soltau. “Mike,” as he was known to family and friends, spent his childhood in Utah and Lake Tahoe, California. He attended Tahoe Truckee High School and graduated from Monticello High School in Monticello, Utah in 1956. He attended University of Utah and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1963. While attending college, he worked as an assistant to Senator Moss.
Mike was a life-long learner and always remained engaged in the events of the day and was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. The night before he passed, he took healthy interest in the final presidential debate…he would be happy with the outcome.
He married Elaine Pearce Watkins in 1961 and they divorced in 1982. He started his professional career in politics, but the majority of his career was in insurance, where he held various executive level positions with several companies. He then remarried to Vera W. Soltau in 1984 and moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where they lived for 22 years. There he enjoyed a life of retirement on the golf course and nurtured his love of the outdoors, and of course he always spent time looking out for his 5 children. When his wife, Vera, passed away he moved back to Salt Lake City and spent time taking care of his step-father, Grant Gardner. This past year he moved back to Seattle, Washington. While in Seattle, he enjoyed many good days in the out of doors, gardening and even learned the game of soccer while attending all of his grandson, Christian’s, high school games!
He is survived by his five children, Krystn Soltau-Nesselquist of Kenmore, Wa; Lisa Soltau of Beverly Hills, CA; Myron “Mike” Soltau Jr. of Boise, Id; Laura Beardsley of Phoenix, AZ; and Lyndsy Soltau of Winston-Salem, NC.
He has 5 grandchildren: Elise, Per and Christian Nesselquist; Luke and Nick Soltau…and 1 more on the way.
He is survived by his sister, Kristine Bailey, 4 nieces, 1 nephew and their children.
As an alternative to sending sympathy/memorial flowers, you may also consider a donation to the Northwest Hospital fund, where Mike was so wonderfully cared for.
Northwest Hospital Fund
1550 North 115th Street G-5
Seattle, WA 98133
www.nwhospital.org/foundation
I’m so glad I got to know him and enjoy himi – my fondest memory is when he picked me up at the airport in Salt Lake after Luke was born to take me to the hospital to see that precious boy for the first time. I greatly admire the way all of his children were united and so devoted to helping him in every way during his last years. He was VERY fortunate to have such special, caring children.
In the ending chapter of a parents life, there is not a greater gift than to have his family close by his side.
A beautiful credit to everyone, showing all the love and compassion a heart can hold. Love and blessing to all of you .
I’m sorry I didn’t get to spend any time with Mike since our days in school. He was one of the most popular of class mates and also give my sympathy to Kris – who spent many sleep overs with me-trying to teach me to whistle.
Mike and I were good friends in HS and I’m sorry we didn’t stay in touch. He’d have loved where I live in Montana. Too many old friends are leaving too soon…Bobby Sanford, Davey Ashton, Bob Tonini…Mike… I’ll catch up with you one of these days.
We will miss you, Mike
Mike and i are cousins in that we both descend from Mormon Pioneer – Ben Perkins – who helped settle Bluff & Monticello, Utah. A good friend all thru Monticello High School and since, Mike was a great athlete, an astute politician, and a very caring and understanding guy. We had a number of good visits earlier with another mutual cousin – John Scorup – when John was recuperating in Salt Lake City from serious heart surgeries. The world is a better place because Mikie walked her pathways – those of us who know and love him, will miss him big time.