Michael Herbison Obituary

Michael R Herbison, 65 of Sheridan died Thursday, March 29, 2007 at home. Mike was born May 3, 1941 in Los Angeles California the son of Ray and Elizabeth Herbison. He attended school in Cheyenne and graduated from Center High School in 1960. Mike received a master's degree from the University of Wyoming and a master's degree in Library Science from the University of Texas-Austin in 1966. Upon graduation he and his family re-located to Casper, Wyoming were he was the head of libraries at the University of Wyoming-Casper. Mike had a long and successful career in academia holding positions as the Director Libraries for many esteemed universities: 1992-2004 Dean of Library Science-University of Nebraska-Kearney,1983-1992 Dean of Library Sciences-University of Alaska-Juneau, 1968-1983 Director of Libraries-University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. Mike was active in the communities in which he lived and worked. While in Colorado Springs he was responsible for securing the property currently owned and operated by the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. This property is currently the site of the University Libraries, dorms, ball-parks and soccer fields. He was an active volunteer in the theatre group in Kearney Nebraska and was an active member of the University Accreditation Committee-responsible for reviewing and performing evaluations for universities across the Northwest as well as past president of the American Libraries Association. During his career Mike was responsible for the oversight and building of new library facilities at both the University of Alaska-Juneau and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Mike loved to read, backpack, play chess and enjoyed Wednesday night poker with his buddies. He is survived by his wife Diana of Sheridan, whom he married July 1, 2006; 2 daughters, Shelley Parra of Worland Wyoming, and Andrea Boortz of Denver, Colorado, a brother, Alan Herbison of Riverton Utah, two sisters Janet Cowley of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Lenore Howen of Northern California and two granddaughters, Kayla Boortz and Breanna Parra. Friends may contribute to The Nebraska Medical Center Organ Transplant Program, 983285 Nebraska Medical Center Drive, Omaha Nebraska 68198-3285 or Hospice of the Big Horns, Sheridan Memorial Hospital, 1401 W. 5th Street, Sheridan WY 82801.