Lasting Memories

Michael Isaac Almond
Oct. 27, 1966-July 4, 2026
San Francisco, California

Michael Almond died suddenly at his San Francisco home on July 4, of unknown causes. He was 59 years old. He is missed by family and friends. Mike’s lifelong passion for design was reflected in his work and avocations. He was a graphic designer, specializing in user experience and web design. Michael was born in New Haven Connecticut, a twin, on October 27, 1966. His parents, Drs Barbara and Richard Almond, moved to Palo Alto in 1969, where Mike grew up. He attended Gunn High School (class of 1984) and Brown College, receiving a BA in 1988, majoring in Fine Arts and Film with additional study at the Rhode Island School of Design. Michael worked in San Francisco for the non-profit Public Media Center in the 1990s, where he learned skills in graphic design, producing publications for Planned Parenthood, AIDS-related non-profits, and others. Subsequently, he worked in the tech field, largely in design for web-based companies like Google, SalesForce, Wells Fargo, and Clumio. He did volunteer work for non-profits in the San Francisco community. Over the past two years Mike published more than a dozen stories in the online publication Medium, where he quickly developed a wide following. At the time of his death Mike was bringing the stories together into a volume called "Imperfect Crimes," a chronicle of childhood and coming of age in Palo Alto as it changed from college town to a center of Silicon Valley. Against this background he told his own story of family and coming out as gay. At the time of his death, Mike had outlined a novel and was engaged in a collaboration to produce a film about the Italian artist Clemen Parocchetti. Mike taught himself fabric and leather crafting, creating unique, beautiful backpacks, purses, and carrying cases out of varied and unusual fabrics. In 1998 Mike joined Isaac Harris in a Civil Union; following a separation they remained in daily contact. Mike had a wide group of good friends and a loving relation to family. He had a special sympathetic ear for his nieces and nephews. The jams he made regularly with his father were highly sought after. Mike is survived by his father, Richard Almond, and stepmother, Barbara Hauser; by his uncle Peter Almond, and aunt, Susyn Almond, by brother David Almond, his wife Lisa, nephews Daniel and Lorenzo, and twin brother Steven Almond and his niece Josephine, nephews Judah and Irvo. A memorial gathering will be held in the future. Any donations in Mike’s name should be to the charity of your choice.