Search by Name

Search by Name

Michael Henderson Obituary

12/19/1942 – 04/02/2018



Michael Magnus Thyne Henderson was born in London, England and grew up in Washington, D.C. Michael majored in music at Middlebury College where he met his wife Carol. They were married in 1964 and immediately headed to Afghanistan where Michael worked for the U.S. Information Service in Kabul.

Michael and Carol both received Masters degrees at Teacher's College, Columbia University in 1965 and then returned to Afghanistan where Michael was the Executive Director of the Kabul English Language Center for the U.S. Information Agency until 1968. He taught English for International students at St. Louis University for a year before being admitted into the Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After receiving his Ph.D. in Linguistics in 1972, Michael became the Director of the Special Courses Division, Department of English, in Tripoli, Libya. He returned to Wisconsin and UW in 1973 where he was the Assistant Editor of the Dictionary of American Regional English until he was hired by KU to be the Director of the Applied English Center and Assistant Professor of Linguistics in 1975.

During his tenure at the Applied English Center (1975-1979), Michael always had time for students, staff, and teaching assistants. His interest in computers helped to bring scheduling and office automation to the administration of a rapidly growing AEC. From 1979-2000, Michael taught in the KU Linguistics Department and was Chair of the Department from 1984 to 1987 and again from 1997 to 2000 when he retired.

Michael was active for many years in the Lawrence Humane Society and the Douglas County Democratic Party. He tirelessly worked to raise funds for both organizations.

In recent years, he was not able to attend functions in support of his causes, but he continued to follow the local and national activists and lent much support to friends and colleagues either monetarily or with long letters or email of encouragement.

He leaves his "beautiful and intelligent wife," Carol Hood Henderson of Neuvant House, and two cats, Basil and Charlie. He will be greatly missed.

No services are planned at this time.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Apr. 15, 2018.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Henderson

Not sure what to say?





2 Entries

One of my best and funniest teachers in graduate school and really ever. Informal conversations with him were as if looking through a kaleidoscope while riding the Matterhorn. May his beautiful soul rest in peace.

Robb Scott

April 20, 2018

Carol, I am so sorry to learn of Michael's passing. I remember him very well and very fondly. I learned so much from him in his phonetics and phonology courses. And I appreciated so much his good humor and decent, kind character as I got to know you and Michael as friends. May Michael's memory be for a blessing.

Nancy Marie Wood

April 17, 2018

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results

Make a Donation
in Michael Henderson's name

Memorial Events
for Michael Henderson

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Michael's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Michael Henderson's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more