Michael Romary

Michael Romary

1947-2025

Michael Romary, age 77, died at home in Grand Marais, Michigan, on September 3, 2025. He was born on October 18, 1947, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Rosemary (Pogorzelska) and Francis “Bus” Romary.

The middle of three sons, Michael was stricken with polio in 1952, shortly before his fifth birthday. He walked with full leg braces and crutches until transitioning to a wheelchair at the age of 60. As a child, Michael received treatment at Spears Chiropractic Hospital in Denver, CO; the Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis, MN; and Shriner’s Hospital in Chicago.

Michael attended Hanna Homestead School for Crippled Children in Fort Wayne before moving to Brentwood School and graduating from Bishop Luers’ High School. Michael received his B.A. in English from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne and pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing, with a focus on poetry, at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

Following his return to Fort Wayne in 1972, Michael worked briefly at Anthony Wayne Rehabilitation Center and then as director of the master control room at Fort Wayne’s ABC affiliate. One of his most enduring memories was keeping the station on air during the Blizzard of ‘78, while he was marooned at the TV station, raiding the vending machines for food. While in Fort Wayne, Michael became an avid swimmer at the YMCA, a passion he retained through his 50s. He learned scuba diving at the Y and often talked about his diving trip to Bimini.

In 1980 Michael began taking courses toward his Master of Library Science degree at Indiana University, graduating with his M.L.S. degree in 1983. He worked as a reference librarian at the Hudson Institute; The Ohio State University, Mansfield Campus; Austin College; and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). In his 17 years at UMBC, Michael instructed thousands of students in how to use library resources to conduct research. Michael was also acknowledged for his research assistance in several books published by UMBC faculty and other authors.

After retiring from UMBC, Michael returned to his first love, poetry. He attended the Breadloaf Writer’s Conference (2016-18) and the Kenyon College Writers’ Conference (2018- 24), in addition to many online writing workshops. Sixteen of his poems were published in print journals or online. At the time of his death, Michael was working on two projects: a lyrical memoir and a chapbook of his poems.

In 1988 Michael married Catherine Albrecht. They followed their academic careers to Sherman, Texas; Baltimore, Maryland; and Ada, Ohio. Michael travelled extensively in the U.S. and made several trips to Europe as well. He loved the home he and Cathy had in Grand Marais, Michigan. His family extends their thanks to the many friends in Grand Marais with whom he enjoyed fellowship, meals, and conversation and who supported Michael during his final years.

In addition to his wife, Michael is survived by his brothers, Larry Romary of Decatur, Indiana, and Steve (Kim) Romary of New Haven, Indiana, as well as nine nieces and nephews and three great nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Church (Episcopal) in Raleigh, North Carolina, with internment following at Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse, Wisconsin.