Redacted notice of the passing of Michael J. Beatty:

Following administration of his last rights, University of Miami Professor Michael Joseph Beatty passed away at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL.   Michael was a full professor in the School of Communication with a secondary appointment in the Department of Psychology, active in research that spanned the main campus to the medical school.   His comfort and dignity were provided for by the kindest of people at the Jackson Health System, many of whom recognized Michael upon his admission.  

 Last week Michael failed to answer a Unit roll call conducted by LTC Douglas E. Jordan, USA (ret.), US Special Operations Command.  Michael’s failure to respond was a deafening pattern-of-life deviation.  Col. Jordan mobilized teams to locate, retrieve, and comfort our fallen brother. 

For several days, before being located, Michael fought for his life, all-in, alone, following a catastrophic event that rendered him immobilized.  He nonetheless maintained focus and cognizance, and hung-on until he was found.

[…]

Michael could have folded his hand at any time, as most would have under the conditions he endured, but being all-in for Michael was not a pop-culture declaration.  He played zero sum, with the full force of his being. 

Michael never pulled his chips back at ensuing signs of adversity—or from behind any of us when he pushed in.  In fact, his favorite pastime was to supplement our down chip counts, and see things through.  He never understood all-in to come with a return policy or ejection handle.

Michael was not remarkable because of his acumen, his scholarship, his publications, his editorial positions, his joint departmental appointments, or the leadership roles he assumed.  Michael was unquestionably defined by dint of his humanity, his fearless loyalty, and love for his Unit members.  He stepped-in and up for them, always.  He honored his duties at the University of Miami, a place he chose to make home and prepare many knowledge seekers.

Those close to him too have known the times he needed us in kind.  We were there for him, even when it made him blush, because he wanted nothing but independent comradery, cringing at the idea of quid pro quo or even the optics of leaching.  I cannot remember even once in 21 years that he left me hanging, or didn’t take our calls.  He was on perpetual overwatch. 

LTC Jordan saw to it from hundreds of miles away that Michael was transported to a tier one medical center.  Jordan was first on scene, by Michael’s side.  But for Jordan’s vigilance, Michael would have been alone in his final hours.  While Michael will never respond to another Unit call, Jordan’s fulfillment of his duty as his brother’s keeper culminated in the answering of Michael’s final call to us.

With a crushed heart I tell his loved ones he was not alone.  He was at peace, with his Unit by his bedside.

[…]

Michael passed away cradled in the way he held us in his profound care.  His heart was […] obfuscated by his poker face.  He never let you see him pulling out a two iron or winding up the jokes he’d level you with.  The deadpan also made it difficult to assess whether he was Team Leader, or the guy behind the guy brokering deals, or clumsily stalling for time while [his teammates] rewired unwinnable situations.

Michael was in the business of keeping secrets, not making promises.  He honored implied contracts as if they had been articulated more clearly than any formal agreement.  You didn’t need a promise from him because he simply cared.  He was always in.  He was a friend.

[LTC Jordan], your relationship with Michael was by design; you being you saved him and us from each being alone at the only time we could all say farewell. We are left with no backfill for our loss. The greater the relationship, the greater its inevitable cost.

Michael passed flanked by unnamed USN to his left and USSOCOM to his right.

In behalf of his Unit, and for his loved ones, paying dearly,