Michael Joseph Zahner

Mike was born on April 22nd, 1945, in Centralia, Illinois to Emma Ratermann and Clarence Paul Zahner.

Education was one of Mike’s greatest priorities, driving him to obtain advanced degrees in physics and operations research. He received a B.S. in physics from the School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, where he graduated second in his class and was the President of Tau Beta Pi. He then obtained an M.S. in physics from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in operations research from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He spent more than 30 years as an information systems consultant for several companies including RCA and Oracle.

Mike married Adrienne Joy Spewak in 1971. They welcomed their only child, Gregory James Zahner, in 1989 and raised him in Saint Louis, Missouri. Mike instilled in his son the values of hard work and integrity and passed on the desire to help others and prioritize academics. Mike was a wonderful father who committed himself to making sure that his son had the best childhood possible and that his professional potential would be limitless.

When Mike retired, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of living in California by moving to Carlsbad in San Diego County where he lived from 2010 to 2024. Mike enjoyed swimming at the local pool, going on bike rides, reading books from the local library, and walking along the beach. He was joined in Carlsbad by his older brother, John Clarence Zahner, from 2013 to 2016. During the final year of Mike’s life, he lived in Scotts Valley, California, where he could be closer to family.

Mike is survived by his son, Greg, as well as his nephews Charles, Jamie, and Jack. He is also survived by his son’s found family which includes Debra Halladay, Jenna Gruer, Patrick Gruer, and Julia Halladay as well as niece-in-law Danielle Sukonick.

Mike is remembered for his fun loving, playful nature, his love of the Saint Louis Cardinals, his dry sense of humor, his prowess on the ski slopes, and his commitment to friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, please borrow a book from your local public library in his memory.