Mike Flint

Mike Flint

2017-07-18
FLINT, Michael Patterson Flint, 68, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2017, in Bend, Oreg., after a long illness. He was born on July 5, 1949, in Evansville, Ind., to Arthur H. Flint, Jr, and Bette (Patterson) Flint. He attended Deerfield High School in Deerfield, Ill., and Illinois State University. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's degree in Zoology. He was a long-time resident of Tucson, Ariz., where he was General Curator of the Reid Park Zoo for thirty years. His zoo career took him from rehabilitating baby lions in his kitchen to leading safaris in Tanzania to researching giant anteaters in Brazil. He loved his family, playing the guitar, and the occasional contact croquet game. He leaves behind two daughters, Bethany Flint of Bend, and Kathleen Flint Ehm of South Setauket, N.Y.; four grandchildren, Anika and Sophie Groener, Finn Ehm, and Jane Ditzel; three brothers, Steve Flint of Half Moon Bay, Calif., Christopher Flint of Tucson, and Patrick Flint of New Mexico; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Susan Powers Flint, and both his parents. Cremation has taken place in Bend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tucson Zoological Society.
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I was fortunate enough to make several visits up to Bend to spend some time with Mike and his family before his memory failed him. He would talk about all the great memories he had growing up in Deerfield. Some of his fondest were his junior high days and running with a pack of friends through the neighborhoods of Deerfield. We shared stories of past girlfriends and our football playing days at DHS. He was a hell of a player, a co-captain, and voted MVP of our undefeated football team. Mike was a self-taught, very accomplished guitar player with a valuable guitar collection. He made friends with everyone, was respected by many, was a great son, brother, father, and grandfather, affectionally known to his granddaughters as "Wotan." He will be missed.

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