Following his graduation from Loyola Blakefield High School, Michael began a 15-year association with the Jesuits, earning a B.A. and M.A. in history from Fordham University in New York. In the mid-1960s, he returned to Loyola Blakefield to teach history and greatly enjoyed counseling and mentoring students. He resumed his studies at the Jesuit Graduate School of Theology, Woodstock College, first in Maryland and then on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, earning a M.Div. degree in 1972. After relocating to Washington, D.C., Michael left the Jesuits, married Christine Capito in 1975, and had two sons, Christopher and Joshua.

Michael began working for the federal government with the newly created U.S. Department of Energy before joining the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, where he led executive development and training programs for the Federal Housing Administration. Michael was a proud federal government employee and a firm believer in the value of public service.

In the early 1970s, Michael, Christine and other members of Michael’s family hand-built a family cabin on the western edge of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, looking out on the first ridge of the Alleghany Mountains. Captivated by the beauty of the Valley, Michael and Christine went on to lovingly restore a nearby 18th century farmhouse in Steeles Tavern. This in time led them to establish a part-time antiques business, and together they crisscrossed the Mid-Atlantic participating in antique shows for some 20 years.

Michael lived a life full of curiosity and with a relentless work ethic. He loved finding and refinishing antique furniture, and the smell of varnish was always nearby. He generally had multiple projects going at once in various stages of completion. His love and mastery of gardening yielded some of the best tomatoes, summer squash, and garlic around. No matter where he lived, he found a place to garden because being outdoors, working with his hands, and challenging himself to improve his harvest year after year brought happiness to his mind, body, and soul. At the end of a hard day’s work, you could find Michael sitting in his wingback chair, listening to classical music with a Manhattan in hand.

In his mid-40s, Michael first traveled on a plane and concurrently discovered a love for international travel. Michael and Christine traveled throughout Europe over the course of four decades and also made trips to Ghana and Argentina. Italy, in particular, was a frequent and favorite destination. He loved everything about traveling, but most importantly, he loved his travel planner and ultimate travel partner, Christine.

Michael was a fantastic husband, father, and grandfather and expressed his love in word and deed. Michael is survived by his wife Christine, sons Christopher and Josh (Amy) Burch of Washington, D.C., and two grandchildren whom he adored, Carina and Nick. True to his Maryland roots, Michael made sure both grandchildren knew how to hold a crab mallet before they could walk. He is also survived by brothers Tom Burch and wife Karen, and Jim Burch and wife Robin; sister-in-law Kerrie DeLuca and husband Frank; brothers-in-law Bob Capito and husband, Bob, of Rockbridge Baths, and Tom Capito and wife Holly of Lexington; eight nephews; and a host of other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother, John.

Michael was guided by a firm belief in social, racial, economic, and environmental justice and worked to create a world where all people are treated in a loving and just manner.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to be made in Michael’s honor to the Staunton Music Festival (https://www. stauntonmusicfestival.org/donations).

A celebration of Michael’s life will be held later this spring. NG