SEI Family Mourns the Tragic Death of Instructor Mike Sullivan

We are deeply saddened and stunned by the unexpected death of SEI Instructor Mike Sullivan. Since 2009, Mike taught over 40 classes and over 1000 students through both online and in-person trainings. Mike died on Monday in a climbing accident on Steeple Peak area of the Wind River Mountain Range in Wyoming.

Mike was a living legend at SEI because of how fully he lived his 54 years of life. When he wasn’t teaching solar classes, he travelled around the world working on solar projects for people who did not have electricity. Or he was climbing and adventuring in some of the most remote and beautiful places on Earth and then sharing his amazing photos with us on social media.

When he introduced himself in classes, he said he was from “Tacoma, the truck not Washington.” We were excited when he opened a PO Box and got a storage unit in Paonia, SEI’s headquarters, because it meant we were his homebase. He was an engineer by training, and even worked for a few years behind the desk before he found solar and his life’s passion. Meticulous and singular in his focus, it didn’t surprise us when we recently learned that he had read the entire dictionary by the time he was 5 years old.

There are so many stories flowing in from instructors and other solar friends. From stripping down to his underwear to cross a river in Bolivia while carrying PV equipment, from strapping a hot water heater to his back and skiing up a steep, steep mountain to deliver it to an off-grid cabin of a friend, to awakening each morning at 4am before teaching a class so that he could find a tree to climb or a hike. His motto was work 24/7—meaning 24 hours a week for 7 months a year.

“We met on a rainy, rest day in a hostel in El Chalten, Argentina in the heart of Patagonia in 2014. I had never met someone who so seamlessly wove their passions and their profession into such an adventurous and colorful lifestyle. (He was teaching SEI online courses in between climbing.) It quickly became evident that he was more than a climbing mentor; he was the impetus I needed to pursue my passion for renewable energy systems as a career. Mike redefined possibility. He invited me to assist with a solar project in Ladakh, India last summer, where I witnessed how solar technology can be used as an incredible tool to positively impact a community and its enormous potential to further influence the course of the world.

Mike’s gentle ways and vibrant enthusiasm was infectious and his spirit full of compassion. 

I always looked forward to our next adventure as he gravitated to the most beautiful places above and around. He’ll continue to inspire with his sparky twinkle of irradiance and that big alleycat grin.”

Toby Swimmer, OnSite Energy in Bozeman, Montana

“Mike spent a lot of time working with technicians in Haiti in 2011-2012.  Each time I go to Haiti and see individual technicians they go through and diligently ask about the different people we know in common… How is Christopher? How is Brad? How is Jeff?… but when they get to Mike, each person gets this big goofy smile and asks “How is Mike? You know- he is craazzy!!” and laughs…

Recently, I asked why everyone thinks Mike was so crazy… and everyone had some story about turning their back to do something… and then when going back to find Mike… hunting around, calling his name… and then someone finding him up in the tallest part of a tree. And of course, there is no purpose of being in the tree… the tree is not a fruiting tree, etc…and this part is explained in detail as they are trying to make sense as to why he was up there. Mike was just hanging out there. Making people laugh without knowing the language. And there is always a lot of laughter in recounting these stories. 

~Carol Weis, SEI Instructor and Co-Founder of Remote Energy

Mike, we miss you. Thank you for always reminding us to go live your adventure, live your passions. We will send out more details as the memorial is finalized.

 

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