The following was received from Rebecca Taggart Aaland, Mike’s daughter:
“Our loving, curmudgeonly, master story-telling father, Michael Taggart, Sr. passed away peacefully on July 27th at his summer home in Michigan, at the age of 88. There were lightning and thunderclaps, gale-force winds, and rain as he left the house for the last time.
“Mike was many things. He was an intellectual, attending Princeton University and Colorado College. He taught English at The Ojai Valley School in the early 60s, was a hippie professor in the late 60s and early 70s, and later taught English Literature at Ventura College for many years. He was beloved by his many students.
“Mike was an irreverent tennis player, winning his first tournament in 1953. In his 60s, he and his partner won the senior national doubles title, with oh-so-many matches in between. He loved everything that moves fast, and was a serious, to put it mildly, collector of cars, boats and motorcycles, and his Ojai garage has been a destination for many vintage car and motorcycle enthusiasts over the decades.
“He is survived by his loving children, Rebecca Taggart and Michael Taggart, their spouses Mikkel Aaland and Lori Taggart, his granddaughters Miranda and Ana Aaland, and his long-time partner, Hiroko Yoshimoto.
“There will be a memorial on Sunday, September 8, starting at 5 pm, at court one in Libby Park. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial contributions in his name to the Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament (OVTC).”
The above obituary was published in the Ventura County Star on Sunday, August 25, 2019; use this link to view it.
Retired (February 2015); Dean, Career and Technical Education, Oxnard College (2008-2015); Professor, Business, Oxnard College (1992-2008); Adjunct Professor, Business, Business Information Systems, Moorpark and Ventura Colleges (1976-1992); Intermediate Steno Secretary, Moorpark and Ventura Colleges (1970-1974).