Michael Kent Weibel passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Danbury, Connecticut, surrounded by his family.

He was born on May 30, 1941, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Michael M. Weibel. He grew up in Des Moines, helping customers find the latest tennies at his family's shoe stores and working alongside his father on the farm while graduating from North High School in Des Moines in 1959.

From an early age, Mike demonstrated a remarkable blend of curiosity, energy, and quiet determination in athletics, scholarship, and music. These experiences instilled in him a strong work ethic, patience, practical skills, and a lifelong habit of approaching challenges with focus, diligence, and creativity, values he carried into every aspect of his life.

At Iowa State University he earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry but more importantly met the love of his life, Jennifer Deale Dodge. They moved to Texas and then Purdue University where he completed his PhD in Chemistry. A faculty position in biochemistry at UPenn brought them to Philadelphia, where they started their family. An R&D leadership role at Novo Nordisk in Wilton, CT brought them to the East Coast and Mike eventually embarked on a path of serial entrepreneurship at a time before it was in vogue. His contributions tackled problems in food science, urban pollution, and medtech and led to early solutions to large problems, such as treating human cataracts.

However, it was how Mike lived life that left a deeper impression than what he accomplished professionally.

Mike's Midwestern work ethic was apparent. He spent years commuting during the week while raising a young family, and at home was rarely still. Whether it was late-night R&D in the lab, home repairs, or working on rental properties, he approached everything with energy and purpose and he always made time for his family.

Mike approached life with discipline and playfulness, whether running in the rain, long bike rides, playing tennis, or pickleball. A resident of Redding for more than 50 years, he played a key role in establishing the local pickleball program and courts, leaving a lasting contribution community members continue to enjoy.

He had a gift for turning ordinary moments into lasting traditions. Family outings were "big adventures." Sunday afternoons included chess or checkers and in the evening, Michigan Rummy with his family. Christmas mornings came alive with music and wrapping paper basketball games. Easter egg hunts were planned with extraordinary care, complete with maps and clues, reflecting his creativity, love of nature, and his deep love for his children.

He cherished time with his wife, Jen, especially daily games of cribbage during dinner, and brought that same spirit of connection to family game nights filled with laughter and friendly competition.

To his children, he was a father, teacher, and mentor. Whether in life or in the lab, he was patient, thoughtful, and exacting and he encouraged curiosity, persistence, and doing things thoughtfully and to completion.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Deale Dodge; his children, Michael A. Weibel, Douglas Weibel, Amy Photopoulos, and Corey Weibel; his sons-in-law Tim Photopoulos and David Paniccia; and his ten grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter Kristin Weibel.

A small private family service was held.

He will be deeply missed. The adventures he started and the memories he created will continue to live on in all who loved him.