Birth date: May 13, 1939 Death date: Jun 21, 2015
Michael Prees was born and raised in England and was a true visionary in his work as an engineer. As a young man he worked as an apprentice. It wasn’t long before his employer recognized his intelligence and talent. Michael was on Read Obituary
I’m thinking of you, wishing to see you again. You gave me light when I saw dark. You blessed me with so much love. You cherished me and I cherished you. I’ll see you again one day, when God’s todo list for me is done. Until then, keep an eye out for me.
Joanna Prees lit a candle in memory of Michael Prees
There have been so many wonderful people in our lives. Michael and I loved them all. Jeff added so much joy to Michael's life as he journeyed through cancer treatment.
A sympathy card was purchased for the family of Michael Ronald Prees.
I first met Mike in 1980 when I was researching into inflammatory joint diseases and methods of evaluating the efficacy of treatment. Mike was the regional technology adviser and we worked together to quantify the data from infrared thermography for my rheumatology research. At that time thermal imaging was in its infancy and largely in the domain of the military with little available in the commercial environment. We both recognized an opportunity to develop a technological solution that would be of value to industrial and R&D organizations and set about designing and developing a product. Working in our spare time, perched on a stool in his kitchen, Mike worked on a computer he had designed and made himself to develop our first prototype electronics and software. In 1982 we formed our company together in Cambridge, Thermoteknix. It was apparent from the outset that Mike was a league above the rest in his skills in both electronics and software, achieving designs, and innovation that others could only marvel. We achieved performance that astounded major companies world-wide and before long were selling our products to global technology and manufacturing companies alike. Mike took great pleasure in the day we managed to sell a camera system to the R & D dept of IBM, running on an Apple computer! Thermoteknix grew, we took on our first employees and Mike preceded me in relinquishing his full-time secure for life, employment in favor of full-time working for our high risk start-up, Thermoteknix. Mike was highly structured in his attitude to everything he did. Meticulous with enormous attention to detail, logic and planning. At the time I was amazed that he would make this risky choice of change in career, but, underneath Mike was an entrepreneur and relished the opportunity to lead in a technology company where he could exhibit the true skills of his original thinking and outstanding, unmatched engineering skills. In our work of thermal imaging technology Mike was recognized by competitors and peers alike as one of the most skillful proponents of the art, achieving results that others could only envy. During those early years we worked had together, long hours, committed and focused on producing products that we were the match of the largest organizations. I remember the look of pride and achievement on his face when we went together to buy his first ?Company car?, it had to be a Porsche! We recruited and grew and Mike set the highest standards that were uncompromising, often going back to first principles rather than accepting current technology. Always available for advice and offering guidance, Mike built a team of engineers around him, many of those are still working in the company today. We have gone on to grow and win many accolades and recognition for the outstanding performance and products we make, following the principles and practices that Mike set in stone. We reminisce, how many times have we said on seeing the fruits of a software engineer?s months? of work that in the past Mike would have done the same (and more) over the course of a week-end! Such was his prodigious ability. Throughout this time, Mike was impeccably dressed in suit and tie, polite, quietly mannered, gentle humored and with a love for a pun or witticism. Mike decided to retire in 1992, 10 years after we started our Company together. He sailed away across the Atlantic (literally and figuratively) to a new life and new start in America. He left behind an edifice to his work that is still standing and growing today, nearly 25 years later. Mike was a friend and my business partner; we laughed, we planned and worked so hard together. He is fondly remembered and missed. Geraldine and I send our sincere condolences to both his families. Richard and Geraldine Salisbury
Joanna, I am still saddened at the passing of Michael. I am very sorry for your loss and I hope you know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Michael, whom I always called Mr. Press, will be missed by our clinic and especially by me. It seems odd to me now that I called him Mister as he really was one of my work friends and such formality certainly was not necessary. Perhaps it was the accent, glasses, beard, or demeanor (I have always been something of an Anglophile). Mostly, I think it was his demeanor. His quick wit and unstoppable inquisitiveness kept me at full attention at all times. I always enjoyed sparring with him over choice of words, double meanings, and the occasional terrible pun. I also felt his intelligence demanded a bit more formality. The choice of ?work friend? I know is a bit odd, but if it weren?t for my unusual job I would not have had the good fortune of meeting him, at work. I always looked forward to our interactions as even in illness he was quick with a quip, challenge, or gift of knowledge. He challenged me to have explanations but also accepted when I did not have an answer or I had an answer he did not want to hear. These are all the qualities of a friend. I will miss seeing you dutifully at his side, always his advocate, caring for him so lovingly and unselfishly. You were a beautiful couple to watch as that terrible disease progressed. He always worried about you and you worried about him. I am honored to have known you both for more than 2 years. It was my privilege to be some small part of his care and I will never forget my friend, Mr. Prees. God bless you and your family. Jeff
