We are deeply saddened about the passing of Mike Karels, a pivotal figure in the history of BSD UNIX, a respected member of the FreeBSD community, and the Deputy Release Engineer for the FreeBSD Project. Mike’s contributions to the development and advancement of BSD systems were profound and have left an indelible mark on the Project.
Mike’s vision and dedication were instrumental in shaping the FreeBSD we know and use today. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide us in our future endeavors.
Our thoughts are with Mike’s family, friends, and all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
See the notification prepared by the family for more insights into his incredible life.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to the Foundation to fund future FreeBSD projects. Also, we would love to hear your thoughts and memories of Mike. Please share below!
Articles about Mike:
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Tribute Messages
Please share a story or memory of Mike. The family and community greatly appreciate and are comforted by your positive thoughts.
I can’t recall exactly when I first met Mike, but I believe it was at a BSDCan event. I knew…
I can’t recall exactly when I first met Mike, but I believe it was at a BSDCan event. I knew him as a FreeBSD developer, a generous donor, and someone who consistently persuaded his employer to contribute to the FreeBSD Foundation. I perceived him as a reserved individual who was eager to support our initiatives.
It wasn’t until around 2018 that I realized he was one of the original leaders and developers of Berkeley’s BSD operating system. At that time, I was exploring the history of FreeBSD and asked Mike if I could interview him at BSDCan in 2019. We spent 1 to 2 hours discussing the history of FreeBSD and his involvement in it. It was the first time I saw him light up when he talked about the early days at Berkeley. He would start discussing something, recall something else and say, “oh, but this happened before that, so let me talk about that!” I recently found my notes from that conversation, which made me sad, but also happy that I had the opportunity to hear his story, and to witness his engagement in sharing his memories and his passion for FreeBSD.
After that day, I viewed him in a new light. Knowing his history, I began to see him as a rock star in this Project! But I also saw him as a gentle soul—quiet but with so much to offer.
I was overjoyed when he retired and expressed his desire to get more involved with the Project again. When he became involved in our release engineering efforts, I knew he was going to make a significant impact on the Project (once again!).
Mike’s legacy will endure as we follow in his footsteps to help and support others and the project he so dearly loved, while striving to make a positive difference in this world.
Rest in peace, Mike – You will be missed!