Michael Dean Inman, USCG (Ret)
October 16, 1957 - July 8, 2025
Obituary
Mike Inman was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 16, 1957, to Robert and Alice Inman, and was the oldest of his three siblings Pat, Kathy, and Eric. A big influence on his young life was the experience of being in the Boy Scouts, with his father as the Scout Master. They had many fun outings and adventures, and he ultimately achieved Eagle Scout status. This was such a positive experience for him that he later served as a Scout Master while stationed in Alaska early on in his career. Mike also played the saxophone in the High School Jazz and Marching bands, was on the swim team, and was a National Honor Society student.
After high school graduation Mike applied for and was accepted by the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut. While at the academy he made an impression on his classmates by setting the all-time Coca Cola purchasing record, having a huge stack of Willie Nelson records, becoming one of the crew team managers (saying he did it for the beer), participating in many hijinks, and per his senior year book, he would be remembered by his classmates “as the unflappable easy going guy he is”.
Mike spent the next 30 years building a career in the U.S. Coast Guard, starting with Deck Watch Officer on the USCGC Storis patrolling the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska, and then Assistant Chief, Telecommunications Branch in Juneau, Alaska.
After spending the next 2 years obtaining his MS Degree, Telecommunications Systems Management at the Naval Postgraduate School, Mike rose through the ranks while assigned to various ships and districts. Most notable were his assignments on the USCGC Dallas patrolling off Haiti (during a time of high instability for that country) and also sailing across the North Atlantic and throughout Western Europe and North Africa in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of D Day. He spoke about stepping outside as the eye of Hurricane Georges passed directly over Puerto Rico when he was Chief of Operations in the Greater Antilles. Mike had his first Commanding Officer assignment on the CG Cutter Acushnet before heading to Miami as Chief of Law Enforcement to lead the Coast Guard maritime counter drug and human trafficking in the Caribbean and coastal areas of Florida. After time as the Commanding Officer on the CG Cutter Jarvis in Hawaii, he headed back to Alaska for his final assignment as Chief of the Response Division, of the Seventeenth Coast Guard District. During this time, he also served as Acting Commander CG Sector Juneau/Captain of the Port and Officer in Charge of Marine Inspection for SE Alaska. He retired from the District 17 position in 2010. He was very proud to have served his country for 30 years and made many lifelong friends at the same time. He continued to support the Coast Guard members and their families with his involvement with many Coast Guard Foundation Fund raising events.
After retiring from the Coast Guard, Mike immediately transitioned to the public sector by joining Holland America Line in Seattle for several years, with his final role as VP of Safety and Environmental operations. He later moved on to Windstar Cruises becoming their Senior Director, Marine, Safety and Environmental Operations. Mike was highly valued for his knowledge, experience, and his passion for safety and regulations, his ability to connect and effectively communicate with and befriend everyone he encountered.
It was while at Holland America Line that he caught the eye of a Reservation Supervisor, which after she asked him out, began their 10-year journey as a couple. They enjoyed traveling together, including cruises to Alaska and Mexico, a road trip to Omaha via Yellowstone, the Black Hills (Custer State Park and Mt. Rushmore), Oahu, San Diego, Walla Walla, Orcas Island, Florence OR, Des Moines IA, and many local day drives during Covid. Shirley made a NASCAR convert out of him and they had a very memorable trip to Florida for the 2022 Daytona 500. Mike also loved a good meal (ranging from Pizza to a Rib Eye or Seafood) with a good glass of wine.
During all these adventures in Mike’s life and career he was a mentor to many and made many good friends. We dearly miss him and his wicked sense of humor, his big laugh, his big smile, and his big heart.
Mike is preceded in death by his father Robert. He is survived by his partner Shirley Rousell, his mother Alice, sister Kathy Fincham (Ron), brothers Pat Inman (Kathy) and Eric Inman (Rachel), 5 nephews and 1 niece.
A military honors committal service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery on Monday August 4, at 2:00pm, please arrive no later than 1:45pm. A Celebration of Life will follow at Maplewood Greens in Renton, Washington at which friends and family will be invited to share memories of Mike.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s memory may be made to the Coast Guard Foundation. www.coastguardfoundation.org
