The kind and loving Mike Chamberlain passed away unexpectedly due to complications from a fall. His great spirit and kind smile will be missed by those who knew and loved him. He lived a free and adventurous life.
Born to Frank and Ruth Chamberlain, he and his brother, Larry, were raised in El Segundo, California. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Alaska and the University of Hawaii. Drafted into the Army, he worked as a tank technician in Texas. During his college years, Mike was an avid sportsman. In Alaska he joined the hockey team, having never ice skated in his life, so the coach had him practice with his skates unlaced. Earning a degree in marine biology and teaching, he spent a lot of time diving, spear fishing and beach-combing. Abalone became a common meal in the ‘60s.
While attending UH, he met and married Katherine Piltz. After their firstborn they moved from Hawaii back to SoCal, where their daughter was born. While teaching at Airport Junior High, Mike camped with a group of students and his small children on Catalina beach for the summer. In 1969, the family moved to Humboldt County, living around the Eureka area. He continued teaching at Jacobs Junior High and occasionally at Zane and Windship. After his divorce, he raised his son Barry in Eureka.
In the late 1970s, Mike retired from teaching and did handyman work in the winters and during the summers he was dredging for gold in places like Denny, Salmon River, Hiouchi and Cecilville. He relished the simple lifestyle of camping. Extensively exploring every forest service road in Humboldt and Trinity counties, where his shiny karma somehow kept him safe. Many of these adventures were shared with his husky Tok, along with intermittent stops to tune or work on his VW square-back.
Mike pursued many endeavors throughout his years after teaching. He started Aurora B Photography and had a darkroom in his bathroom, where he printed pictures of the flora and particularly mushrooms of this area. We will be sorting through his slides for years. He collected copious amounts of driftwood from the jetties, which he visited frequently. Using these pieces to craft driftwood art, furniture and turned bowls. Much of the wood went to build a greenhouse, and additions on his garage. Early in the ’80s, Mike got a pilot’s license and plane to make the visits to his parents, in Paradise, an easier commute. He also flew up to Canada with his school friend, Gene, to help build a cabin.
Mike gave his children the love of the outdoors, teaching them how to backpack, ski, fish, camp and hunt. Some of his favorite places were out of the way. He loved swinging bridge, the jetties, Nordheimer Creek on the Salmon River, where he spent many summers camped by the little lake. We would go to Swimmers Delight before it was a park. A day drive might be the Lost Coast just to get out and enjoy the beauty of Humboldt, long drives were a Chamberlain family tradition. In his later years he had a faithful loving orange tabby named Max. Those two did everything around the house together.
His Mother, Ruth, moved closer in her later years and Mike was there for her. Mike was preceded in death by his father Frank, mother Ruth and brother Larry Chamberlain. He is survived by his son Barry and daughter Kim Chamberlain. His granddaughter Nicole (Todd) Brown and great granddaughter Amara Brown. Thank you to all his friends, Raedelle, Barbra, Howie, Steve and Vicki, who helped him through his later years and Ayres Funeral home for the after-life particulars. Anyone interested in sending Mike on his way, contact Kim for details.
He lived a full life and as a biologist was distraught at the plight of how fast global warming had advanced in his later years. In lieu of any donation, please consider how you could help do your part in decreasing the progression of global warming. It is as simple as bringing your coffee cup along to fill, bring grocery bags into the store, send gently used items to a thrift store for someone to use; so many simple ways …
This article appears in Through Mark Larson’s Lens 2025.