Michael S. Dinenberg

Mike Dinenberg died on July 21, 2021 at home in Exton, Pennsylvania. His final days were spent surrounded by his wife, Kristin (nee Quist), his son, Justin, and his daughter Aly. His parents, Rosalie and Steve Dinenberg, siblings Bill, Lisa and Scott, stepson Michael McCuen, ex-wife Diane and extended family including aunts, uncles and cousins, were also by his side either in person or by phone.
Mike was born on April 25, 1961 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He spent his formative years in Bow Mar, Colorado on a scenic lake set against the Rockies. In that small community, Mike made life-long friends and spent summers lifeguarding on the beach and coaching the Bow Mar swim team. 'Coach Mike!' was often heard yelled out by the younger generation of swimmers. The lake in Bow Mar provided endless activities and Mike became a skilled sailor, windsurfer and tennis player. Summers were also spent visiting his grandparents in Margate, New Jersey. Years later, Mike would continue that tradition, taking his own children to Margate at every opportunity to give them the same experiences he loved as a child. No visit was complete without attempting to eat an entire Dino's sub and have a competition to ride waves into the shore.
Mike was married to Kristin for 14 years. He was a loving and devoted husband, and enjoyed planning ambitious trips for the two of them. In the early days of their relationship, one of his three day trips included white water kayaking, a 28 mile bike ride, camping, fishing, fireworks and a waterfall hike. Kristin survived the white water kayaking test, and the two of them married in 2007. They shared many more adventures in their extensive travels and took long hikes in virtually every state and country they visited. Mike and Kristin loved going to the movies, cooking gourmet food, and lazy Sunday mornings at home with their dog Bentley. Together, they worked tirelessly to raise Justin, Aly and Michael. Mike and Kristin made a point to take their kids on numerous memorable vacations including a special trip after each graduated from high school.
Mike also loved taking the kids to Florida to spend time with their cousins, uncles and aunts. Family was so important to Mike and in particular, he made sure that the first-generation cousins had ample opportunities to bond and become inseparable. Even today that bond continues as Justin and his first cousin Sydney are now roommates in Washington DC.
Mike was an incredible athlete, accomplished in every sport he tried. He was an expert skier and had a very recognizable style of going through deep powder that was akin to professional skiers. As an adult, he took up golf where he also had a 'recognizable' style that would make his friends smile.
Mike was an incredibly devoted father. Mike was so proud of his children's accomplishments and was supportive of every milestone in their lives. He never missed a gymnastic competition, a cheerleading event or a swim meet. Mike knew every 'time' for Justin's swim relays to the tenth of a second and every score that Aly made as she rose to level nine gymnastics and made it to cheerleading Nationals in Florida. Mike was also a devoted step-father to Michael and taught him how to ski, swim, and fish. Mike was enormously proud that Michael followed in his footsteps and attended his alma mater, University of Colorado.
Mike was defined by his personal traits - he was compassionate and caring but also witty and mischievous. These traits made him easy to be with and fun to be around, and led to his having many friends throughout his life. In 1984, Mike graduated from the University of Colorado with a geology major and later went to law school at the University of Nebraska. After law school, he returned to the East Coast and Philadelphia for a judicial clerkship, and then began a long and successful career in complex insurance claims. Mike worked on many large and important environmental claims matters, and was smart, practical and an excellent strategist. Yet, at work, as in the rest of his life, the essence of Mike was found in his many personal relationships. Mike did not just work with people, he became friends with them, showed an interest in their lives, and became a confidant to many. Mike was genuine and he had a way of putting people at ease. Virtually everyone who was friends with Mike has one (or many) memories of laughing and having fun. In that way, Mike had a unique ability to make people happier in their own lives.
Mike was also known for organizing fabulous adventure trips for his friends. He was often coordinating excursions where his 'east coast' friends for the first time kayaked through remote bodies of water and camped in the wilderness making gourmet meals over a campfire. One of his favorite trips was climbing Zion National Park (Angel's Landing) with his brothers. Pictures of Kristin and Mike's last vacation to Iceland and Italy with his brother Bill and sister-in-law Maura can be seen on many walls in Mike's house.
Mike was especially close to his brothers, Bill and Scott, and to his sister Lisa. Close in age, and sharing a similar love of the outdoors, they were able to maintain the bonds they had first formed as children in Colorado throughout their adult lives. Although Bill and Scott lived in Florida, Mike checked in with a phone call or text every day. Mike and Lisa worked together and often rode the train together always discussing what was going on in each other's lives. He was an amazing uncle to every one of their children.
Mike's life was cut way too short by ALS. His family will be forever grateful to the many friends and loved ones who stayed by his side over the past three years. Mike impacted so many people in such positive ways, and in that sense he lived more than a full lifetime. He will be dearly missed.
The family will be receiving close friends and family at a home reception on July 31st during the hours of 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Please contact family for additional details.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Team Gleason (teamgleason.org) or The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter (als.org/greater-philadelphia).