Michael Petrick Obituary

Sept. 6, 1942-Nov. 29, 2012

Michael Petrick, of Mount Pleasant, MI died Thursday, November 29, 2012 at home. He was 70 years old.
He was born on September 6, 1942 in Antigo, WI son of Anthony and Mathline (Theriault) Petrick.
He was a 1961 graduate of Antigo High School. He did his undergraduate work and received his Master's degree in 1967 from University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. He completed his PHD work at University of Wisconsin Madison and received his degree in 1970 in journalism and political science.
He worked in journalism for a number of years beginning as a reporter for the Appleton Post Crescent, then news editor at the Milwaukee South Times Star and finally moving to Washington D.C. where he worked for the Evening Star as copy Editor.
Mr. Petrick moved on to a career as a professor having taught in the School of Journalism at the University of Wisconsin Madison, then at the University of Maryland School of Journalism, and ending his teaching career as Chairman of the department of Journalism at Central Michigan University retiring in 2000.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
Survivors include a cousin Barbara (Lawrence) Loh of Medfield, MA, and their children Peter (Christine) Loh, Christopher (Maggie) Loh and Laura (Ed) Howland, a cousin John (Jeanne) Petrick of San Jose, California and their children John Michael (Karen) Petrick and Janin (Tad) Hutchison; further survived by other cousins and friends.
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday Dec. 8, 2012 at 1 p.m. at St. John Catholic Church, Antigo with Rev. Jeremiah Worman officiating. Burial will take place in Queen of Peace Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Bradley Funeral Home and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. A parish Wake Service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. On-line condolences at
ww.bradleyfh.com

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Published by The Morning Sun from Dec. 4 to Dec. 5, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Petrick

9 Entries

Denyse Smith

December 11, 2012

Dr. Petrick was one of my favorite journalism professors and a huge influence on me. He had fun teaching, but respected his students, the way a professor ought to teach.

Ron Marmarelli

December 8, 2012

What I enjoyed most about being around Mike was his sense of humor and good cheer, to paraphrase something Mike himself said about another of our colleagues, Tom Rood. He wrote that in supporting Tom's posthumous induction into the Journalism Hall of Fame, but he could just as well have written it about himself—as well as this statement Mike also wrote: “During his tenure at CMU he helped keep us from taking ourselves too seriously.” We'll miss you, Mike.

December 6, 2012

Miss you, Rog!
Dr. Petrick and Dr. Stan Bradshaw were the best mentors an idealistic, green journalism student could have. I am forever in their debt.
While reminiscing in my attic, I found a CM LIFE from June of 1979 with a front page photo (taken by Mike Green) of Dr. Petrick and myself in a freshmen orientation session...I remember taking as many of their classes as I could get, because they pushed and prodded and gleaned the best effort out of me on every assignment.
Mike was so wise, humerous, insightful, easygoing, and approachable.
I'll miss our chats in front of the post office.
Patty (Woodbury) Strong
Class of `83
Mt. Pleasant
[email protected]

Jim Hebler

December 5, 2012

Dr. Michael Petrick was an excellent journalism professor, legal mentor and professional advocate for me at Central Michigan University. I am blessed and indebted for the privilege to have been taught by Mike Petrick. Jim Hebler/Detroit News/Ford Motor Public Affairs and Business Journalist - thanks in part to his teaching-advocacy-friendship.

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"Stosh" David Waskiewicz

December 5, 2012

Dr. Petrick lives in some of my best memories at CMU.

Howard Salter

December 5, 2012

I learned more from Dr. Petrick than any prof. I still quote him from his Law of the Press course and the hours upon hours of social, out of the classroom discussions.

Rich Robinson

December 5, 2012

There are but a few I can look back upon in my life and say that person had an impact. Michael Petrick, teacher, mentor and friend was such a person. I mourn his passing and our loss.

December 5, 2012

Dr. Petrick was an excellent journalism prof, and very instrumental in my pursuit of becoming a journalist.
Chris Stevens
sports editor
Midland Daily News
CMU class of 1982

Roger Hitts

December 5, 2012

Dr. Petrick likely did more for me to gain competence, talent and intuitive thinking as a journalist than anyone in my life, and never failed to amuse during our many social, off-hours chats. I will always hold him dear.

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