Michael Lodewyk Obituary

Michael William Lodewyk (46) of Paradise, California, passed away on May 11, 2025.
Michael, fondly known as Mike, was born to Charles and Betty (Reichert) Lodewyk, on
March 16, 1979, in Greenbrae, California. He spent most of his childhood and early
adult life living in the Sacramento area, graduating from Cordova High School with
honors. He attended American River College where he discovered his passion for
chemistry and went on to obtain his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of
California, Davis, again graduating with honors. Mike continued his education by
obtaining his doctorate in Organic Chemistry from the University of California, Davis.
Mike's love for science and commitment to academic excellence led him to a meaningful
and impactful career as a chemistry instructor at Butte College. Mike worked diligently
to provide the highest quality materials and instruction to his students so they could
succeed in his classes.
Mike enjoyed spending his free time outside hiking, camping, and gardening. He always
included his children in these activities and loved spending time with them. He also
enjoyed volunteering as a baseball coach and a parent helper in his children's classrooms.
He constantly put others before himself and would drop whatever he was doing to help
someone in need.
Above all, Mike was a devoted husband and father. He was predeceased by his father,
Charles Lodewyk. He is survived by his loving wife, Kristin Milinkevich, and their two
sons, Aiden and Evan, who truly were the light of his life. He also leaves behind his
mother, Betty Allen; his sister, Jillian; his brother, Jonathan; and a large extended family
of aunts, uncles, and cousins who cherished him dearly.
Michael's legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched - with every student he
inspired, every colleague he supported, and every friend and family member he loved.
He will be remembered not only for his brilliant mind, but for his generous heart, his
witty sense of humor, and the deep integrity with which he lived.
Michael will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Paradise Cemetery. A Celebration of Life is planned for June 20th at 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Paradise. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Michael's honor to support aspiring scientists by contributing to the Larry Cabral or Richard H. Clark Memorial Endowments at the Butte College Foundation - 3536 Butte Campus Dr. Oroville, CA 95965 or made online at https://www.butte.edu/foundation/giving.
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