Edit: We have decided to establish a scholarship in my dad’s memory for OSU College of Education students. Please consider a gift to my dad’s scholarship fund. Gifts can be made to the OSU Foundation at osufoundation.org or mailed to OSU Foundation, 4238 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333. Please indicate that the gift is in memory of Mike O'Malley. Thanks to the many of you who have already donated.
Your dad taught AP history when I was in high school and forever changed my life. As a first gen college student, he spent many hours helping me secure a scholarship to U of O, and art school at OSU while I was a teen. A friend was reminding me that he used to let us dribble basketballs in his room during breaks as we trained to be great point guards. Mr. O'Malley was the first teacher I had that really politicized me, ranting "it's all about race, class and gender!!" and "they're just training you to work in factories with these class bells!" He always encouraged us to think critically and to strive for our best. He helped me find a way out into the world and a path of dedicating my life to the work of social justice. He will be greatly missed. Sending my condolences to you and your family.
I was one of his OSU students several years ago. As a non-traditional, older student, I held a deep appreciation for the way he connected with each and every student, and the way he shared his pride in you. I had my own young sons to raise, and his obvious love for you was inspiring. I even got the chance to witness it in person one day when you met him after class as I was chatting with him. He introduced you with an obviously deep and abiding affection and pride. I’ve thought many times about the messages I learned from him in the days since his passing. And the one thought I keep coming back to is that he only wanted one simple thing from all of us. He asked us to look at our world honestly and see things for what they are, and then do something to make it better. And he made each and every one of us feel like that wasn’t too much to ask. Mike O’Malley made the world a better place. And he played a vital role in molding an army of educators who will continue his work. I feel blessed to have known him.
What a beautiful reflection of your dad. He was all these things that you said. I knew him for only a year in high school (as a student) but he left a lasting impact on my life. He was loud and a little eccentric, but so engaging; you couldn't be in the same room without giving him your full attention. He always had a smile on his a face and a greeting for every student who walked by.
Even years later on the OSU campus, I'd bump into him and say, "Mr. O'Malley! I was in your class at West Albany High! How are you!?" And he'd carry on like no time had pass since the last meeting.
One book that I will ALWAYS associate with Mr. O'Malley is "Siddhartha." I will admit, I struggled to read it in high school, but picked it back up a few years later and read through it, again, because I felt I owed it to such a great teacher to give it a chance.
What a great loss to the community, but he left a great legacy.
Your dad left a beautiful mark on my life, he was my AP history teacher at SAHS probably the 97/98’ school year. So here’s another O’Malley-ite for your Talley. He was a damn treasure and I’ll forever remember him ❤️❤️
Your Dad was my high school teacher about 25 years ago. I ran into him a couple times at OSU over the years. He had a great impact on my life. He was the best. You are the luckiest to have had him, and we were all fortunate to have had his light shine in our lives. The grief of losing someone so precious bears such depth and weight. I can see by your writing he lives on in you. Condolences.
O’Malley-ite here. Your Father’s words have echoed in my head for many years now. He helped provoke a deep interest in humanities/sociology in my education. O’Malley’s lectures were always hyper interesting to me. You’re an excellent writer and you paint a beautiful picture of your father that does him justice. I wish you, and your family the best in this difficult situation.
You don’t know me. I was a pupil of your father’s, one of the literal thousands. I am also very close friends with Sue and Tom Bailey, and they were the ones who broke the unbelievable news to me while I was sitting in my classroom. I just wanted to let you know that your words, while your father would fight them and call you an ass for saying them, embodied everything that was your father to us (his students) and to your family. As someone who sat in his classrooms for countless hours at Oregon State, you and your sister were always the light of his world! He never gave up a moment to boast about the work that you both were doing. Your father left this world a better place. Thank you for sharing him with us thousands! My heart is with you and your family.
Oh Emmett, it has been many years since you rode the wood lift up from the basement to surprise all the adults in our living room at Xmas. You had your dad's spirit from the get go. I have been thinking a lot about Mike the last two days. In a high school where we taught in Albany Mike came along at the right time to enrich my final years of my career. Your dad, Carol Cina and a few others on the faculty were my go to's to talk about the possibilities including the roadblocks. We embraced the challenge of teaching and loved it. We couldn't asked for a better calling given our natures.
I loved following your folks travels in Ireland and wished I could have been there to have a pint or two with them in my favorite pub John Kehoe's off Graften St in Dublin where James Joyce drank. I wish for a lot of things and can almost fullfill them in picturing it all.
One of my last memories of your dad was talking to him at Timberhill Athletic Club the week before the 2020 election. I was worried about it all and he calmed me saying Hillary has it in the bag. The time since has killed us all in many ways especially the smart, humorous, sensitive and caring ones. I dare say the others just don't recognize it...yet. But I digress.
I understand Mike's memorial will be the week of the 12th. That week Roen and I will be in the Wallowa's and in Pendleton celebrating the life of my auntie at her memorial. We will likely miss the remembrance for dear Mike. We both talked about him yesterday and send our love. Hugs to your mom and sis.
Yes, he was a duality, and you have captured that so well Emmett! And I benefited from it day in and day out, year in and year out - my best friend, my confidante, my intellectual, emotional and spiritual adviser, and even though I am older than he was, my mentor. I still cannot measure the loss to me it is so deep and I am afraid to fully feel it. As great as it it, it is a loss that is a thousand times greater for you, Bridget and Mom. You were so fortunate to have him, and you will live with that always. Yes, he was the best human being I have ever known, and the best friend I have ever had. Thank you for writing and sharing that with all of us! Big Malter
Emmett, what a powerful tribute to your Dad. He was a wonderful colleague with whom I had many engaging conversations/arguments as we were both very direct New Englanders. He had a significant impact on education at OSU and beyond. He may have moved on, but he will not be forgotten.
Thank you sharing these words, and your father, with the world. I am one of the many “O’Malley-ites” forever changed by that “wise Boston accent.” I know I am not alone in saying my love and thoughts are with your family right now.
Your Dad meant so much to me, I can't write it, I can't even talk about it; but somehow you did. Maybe you can because you are just like your Dad, giving all of you already away to all of us. The few times I was lucky enough to see you two together it was clear how much you loved each other, how amazingly close you were. He was just so proud of you. Your friend Hussein said it perfectly “You lived your life the way someone who lost their dad would’ve wished they had.” YES, that was you. Every time I think of Mike O'Malley, I am sending you and your Mom and sister love and so is the bazillion other people who loved your Dad. He knew love is the only thing that is infinite and really matters, Love, Linda
Your dad taught AP history when I was in high school and forever changed my life. As a first gen college student, he spent many hours helping me secure a scholarship to U of O, and art school at OSU while I was a teen. A friend was reminding me that he used to let us dribble basketballs in his room during breaks as we trained to be great point guards. Mr. O'Malley was the first teacher I had that really politicized me, ranting "it's all about race, class and gender!!" and "they're just training you to work in factories with these class bells!" He always encouraged us to think critically and to strive for our best. He helped me find a way out into the world and a path of dedicating my life to the work of social justice. He will be greatly missed. Sending my condolences to you and your family.
I was one of his OSU students several years ago. As a non-traditional, older student, I held a deep appreciation for the way he connected with each and every student, and the way he shared his pride in you. I had my own young sons to raise, and his obvious love for you was inspiring. I even got the chance to witness it in person one day when you met him after class as I was chatting with him. He introduced you with an obviously deep and abiding affection and pride. I’ve thought many times about the messages I learned from him in the days since his passing. And the one thought I keep coming back to is that he only wanted one simple thing from all of us. He asked us to look at our world honestly and see things for what they are, and then do something to make it better. And he made each and every one of us feel like that wasn’t too much to ask. Mike O’Malley made the world a better place. And he played a vital role in molding an army of educators who will continue his work. I feel blessed to have known him.
What a beautiful reflection of your dad. He was all these things that you said. I knew him for only a year in high school (as a student) but he left a lasting impact on my life. He was loud and a little eccentric, but so engaging; you couldn't be in the same room without giving him your full attention. He always had a smile on his a face and a greeting for every student who walked by.
Even years later on the OSU campus, I'd bump into him and say, "Mr. O'Malley! I was in your class at West Albany High! How are you!?" And he'd carry on like no time had pass since the last meeting.
One book that I will ALWAYS associate with Mr. O'Malley is "Siddhartha." I will admit, I struggled to read it in high school, but picked it back up a few years later and read through it, again, because I felt I owed it to such a great teacher to give it a chance.
What a great loss to the community, but he left a great legacy.
Your dad left a beautiful mark on my life, he was my AP history teacher at SAHS probably the 97/98’ school year. So here’s another O’Malley-ite for your Talley. He was a damn treasure and I’ll forever remember him ❤️❤️
Your Dad was my high school teacher about 25 years ago. I ran into him a couple times at OSU over the years. He had a great impact on my life. He was the best. You are the luckiest to have had him, and we were all fortunate to have had his light shine in our lives. The grief of losing someone so precious bears such depth and weight. I can see by your writing he lives on in you. Condolences.
O’Malley-ite here. Your Father’s words have echoed in my head for many years now. He helped provoke a deep interest in humanities/sociology in my education. O’Malley’s lectures were always hyper interesting to me. You’re an excellent writer and you paint a beautiful picture of your father that does him justice. I wish you, and your family the best in this difficult situation.
Emmett,
You don’t know me. I was a pupil of your father’s, one of the literal thousands. I am also very close friends with Sue and Tom Bailey, and they were the ones who broke the unbelievable news to me while I was sitting in my classroom. I just wanted to let you know that your words, while your father would fight them and call you an ass for saying them, embodied everything that was your father to us (his students) and to your family. As someone who sat in his classrooms for countless hours at Oregon State, you and your sister were always the light of his world! He never gave up a moment to boast about the work that you both were doing. Your father left this world a better place. Thank you for sharing him with us thousands! My heart is with you and your family.
Emmett, your words are so poignant, so beautiful. My heart is with you and your family.
Emmitt, I lost my father two years ago and would love to connect and share and love.
Oh Emmett, it has been many years since you rode the wood lift up from the basement to surprise all the adults in our living room at Xmas. You had your dad's spirit from the get go. I have been thinking a lot about Mike the last two days. In a high school where we taught in Albany Mike came along at the right time to enrich my final years of my career. Your dad, Carol Cina and a few others on the faculty were my go to's to talk about the possibilities including the roadblocks. We embraced the challenge of teaching and loved it. We couldn't asked for a better calling given our natures.
I loved following your folks travels in Ireland and wished I could have been there to have a pint or two with them in my favorite pub John Kehoe's off Graften St in Dublin where James Joyce drank. I wish for a lot of things and can almost fullfill them in picturing it all.
One of my last memories of your dad was talking to him at Timberhill Athletic Club the week before the 2020 election. I was worried about it all and he calmed me saying Hillary has it in the bag. The time since has killed us all in many ways especially the smart, humorous, sensitive and caring ones. I dare say the others just don't recognize it...yet. But I digress.
I understand Mike's memorial will be the week of the 12th. That week Roen and I will be in the Wallowa's and in Pendleton celebrating the life of my auntie at her memorial. We will likely miss the remembrance for dear Mike. We both talked about him yesterday and send our love. Hugs to your mom and sis.
💛 Doug Eaton
PS...I love your writing.
Yes, he was a duality, and you have captured that so well Emmett! And I benefited from it day in and day out, year in and year out - my best friend, my confidante, my intellectual, emotional and spiritual adviser, and even though I am older than he was, my mentor. I still cannot measure the loss to me it is so deep and I am afraid to fully feel it. As great as it it, it is a loss that is a thousand times greater for you, Bridget and Mom. You were so fortunate to have him, and you will live with that always. Yes, he was the best human being I have ever known, and the best friend I have ever had. Thank you for writing and sharing that with all of us! Big Malter
Emmett, what a powerful tribute to your Dad. He was a wonderful colleague with whom I had many engaging conversations/arguments as we were both very direct New Englanders. He had a significant impact on education at OSU and beyond. He may have moved on, but he will not be forgotten.
Such a tribute. Another tribute? Every single person who reads this will agree with every…single…word. Mike certainly left his legacy, and it is us.
Thank you sharing these words, and your father, with the world. I am one of the many “O’Malley-ites” forever changed by that “wise Boston accent.” I know I am not alone in saying my love and thoughts are with your family right now.
Your Dad meant so much to me, I can't write it, I can't even talk about it; but somehow you did. Maybe you can because you are just like your Dad, giving all of you already away to all of us. The few times I was lucky enough to see you two together it was clear how much you loved each other, how amazingly close you were. He was just so proud of you. Your friend Hussein said it perfectly “You lived your life the way someone who lost their dad would’ve wished they had.” YES, that was you. Every time I think of Mike O'Malley, I am sending you and your Mom and sister love and so is the bazillion other people who loved your Dad. He knew love is the only thing that is infinite and really matters, Love, Linda