University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) Professor Michael Moore (PhD ’86) died unexpectedly in May 2025. His death is a profound loss to those who knew him as a dedicated faculty member, an inspiring educator, a thoughtful mentor and a steadfast leader within SEAS and U-M. He embodied a life of service, having spent more than 40 years as a member of the SEAS community in various roles and in advancing the understanding of environmental and natural resource economics. He was known not only for his intellect and scholarly contributions, but also for his kindness and warmth, thoughtful guidance, and genuine care for students and colleagues alike, which is evident in these remembrances from the SEAS community.
“Michael was the best mentor one could ask for, a great friend and a kind human. He is one of the great influences in my life. I will remember his unceasing willingness to help me in my career; our long and lingering basketball conversations; his appreciation of children and fatherhood; and the warmth of his smile. His memory will be a blessing for so many.”
— Sam Stolper, SEAS Associate Professor
“Michael Moore represented everything that is good and honorable in academia. As a first-generation graduate student, the PhD journey has often felt overwhelming for me. But in Michael, I found more than a mentor who shared my academic interests—I found someone who led with kindness, strength, compassion and humility. Despite his deep knowledge and remarkable intellect, he had a rare ability to meet people where they were. He made space for those of us still finding our way, and he never stopped inspiring me. I mourn the loss of an extraordinary human being. His absence will be deeply felt in the rest of my journey, but I carry his guidance with me. I can only hope that my work will reflect—and honor—the lasting influence he had on my life.”
—Vianey Rueda, SEAS PhD candidate
“Professor Moore was one of my favorite professors in grad school. His teaching helped me become more confident in myself, his class helped me meet many of my most treasured friends, and his obvious and genuine care for students always made me feel welcome at SEAS. I will miss him dearly in my final year in the program and am grateful for the opportunity to have met him.”
—Maithilee Kanthi (MS/MBA ’26)
“Everyone who knew Michael will remember his warm smile. Three years ago, when I chose Michael as my SEAS advisor, one of the key reasons was I liked his smile in his photo. At that time, I was at a turning point in my life, and I knew Michael would be the right person to guide me. Our first meeting in August 2022 confirmed the feeling. We sat outside under the shade of a tree. The air was cool, and most students were leaving the campus, making it pleasantly quiet. I scheduled a 30-minute chat, but we ended up talking for an hour. This was the start of our mentorship and how he helped me grow. Michael always listened patiently to my concerns, challenges and struggles whether they were academic or personal. He not only listened but also helped me find ways to address my problems or connected me with resources that could help. After I graduated in May 2024, he continued to check in and offer advice as I stayed in Ann Arbor and navigated the job search. In December, I found a full-time job in D.C. I arranged one last meeting with Michael on December 20 to share the good news. We talked about my new job, his upcoming online course and his retirement plans. It was a warm, hopeful conversation.”
—Yuping Wei (MS ’24)
