Michael R Ristau

Michael R. Ristau, aged 81, of Sylvania, Ohio, passed away on November 20, 2024, surrounded by family, following complications from recent surgery and after enduring heart disease and dementia for years.

The oldest son of the seven children born to Archie and Catherine (Lomont) Ristau, Michael came into the world on August 4, 1943 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After graduating from Geneseo High School in Geneseo, Illinois, he attended Northern Illinois University on a full athletic scholarship for running. Mike was ranked number one in the state of Illinois and number ten nationally in running during that time. Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree in math and physics in 1965.

While at NIU, Michael met the love of his life, Patricia Green. The couple married in 1965. With Pattie by his side, Michael served two years for the United States Army Quartermaster Corps during the Vietnam War in Fort Lee, Virginia. He used some of the earliest computers during his work for the army. Mike went on to pass all ten actuarial exams and became a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. He was a member of Mensa. His career in the insurance industry led him and his family all around the country, from Massachusetts, to Maryland, to Illinois, to Michigan, to California, and to Missouri where he retired from his job as CFO for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri. Afterwards, he started up and ran Blue Chip Investment Management for a number of years.

Although an ambitious career man to his core, Michael’s greatest love was for his family. He enjoyed 59 years married to his beloved soulmate, Patricia. Together they raised two children, Charles Ristau, and Wendy (Ristau) Haudrich. Mike’s favorite title of all time was “Papa,” as he was dearly known to his five grandchildren.

Michael loved times whenever his immediate family was all together, especially during the holidays or during yearly trips to West Palm Beach, Florida. He loved attending Ristau family reunions when he could get together with his mom and his siblings with their extended families. Mike loved travelling with his best friend, Ken, and their wives. Michael loved reading and puzzles. He was quiet yet with a quick and witty sense of humor. Michael was honest and devoted. He never knew a stranger.

Michael is survived by his bride, Patricia “Pattie” Ristau; children, Charles (Colleen) Ristau, and Wendy (John) Haudrich; grandchildren, Thomas (Amanda) Ristau, Elizabeth (Tyler) Wills, Matthew Ristau, Claire Haudrich, and Anna Haudrich; siblings Patrick (Pam) Ristau, Christine Buysse, and Cathy (John) Skerke; brother-in-law Ed (Sharon) Green; sisters-in-law Bonnie Ristau and Maria Ristau, numerous nieces and nephews and treasured friends. Michael was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Archie, Dennis, and David.

A funeral mass will take place on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi University Parish at 2955 Dorr Street, Toledo, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests to please make a donation to Hospice of Northwest Ohio in memory of Michael by going to the website, hospicenwo.org.