Obituary of Michael John Bangs

On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, Michael John Bangs, passed away at the age of 64 in Tucson, Arizona (USA). Mike was born on September 7, 1956 in Bethesda, Maryland to William and Barbara (Hathaway) Bangs. The oldest son of a U.S. Marine, he lived in numerous locations growing up, including Kaneohe, Hawaii, Berkeley, CA, Havelock, NC, and Yuma, AZ. After graduating from Yuma High School (1974) and Northern Arizona University (1978, Biology, Summa Cum Laude), he served for three years in the Peace Corps in and around Sabah, Malaysia (northern Borneo) working with the State malaria control program. He subsequently studied at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and earned a Master's degree in medical entomology and another in public health - infectious disease epidemiology. Following that, he spent nearly 21 years in the US Navy as a public health entomologist assigned as a Preventive Medicine Officer working almost entirely overseas in multiple and diverse locations, the bulk of that time in Southeast Asia (primarily Indonesia). Mike balanced multi-disciplinary, academic driven Research & Development assignments with operational control exercises using the most up-to-date technologies available – a unique mix of experiences that served him well throughout many duties. During his Navy years, he was privileged to be sponsored to obtain a PhD in medical entomology, work that exposed him to Central America. Following his retirement from military service in 2006, Mike joined a private medical assistance company, International SOS, as Director of Vector-borne Disease Control Programs. Based in Papua, Indonesia, the job took him across the globe with most of the activities focused in the Asia-Pacific region and Africa. This multi-faceted job involved everything from conducting vector-borne disease risk assessments (predominately malaria and Aedes-borne diseases), assessing current vector and pest control programs, to the design and implementation of large integrated vector and disease control programs, primarily for the extractive industry (mining and energy). A prolific researcher and a talented writer, Mike authored over 250 research articles on vector control, insecticide resistance and vector-borne disease epidemiology. He also consulted with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on their global malaria prevention initiative and was an adjunct professor and advisor with several world-renowned universities, including the University of Oxford and the University of Notre Dame. Over the years, he served as a mentor for numerous PhD candidates. Mike was a unique individual who was able to meet face to face with business titans, philanthropists and dignitaries, such as Bill Gates, while also being equally comfortable around the colorful characters he met in obscure dive bars around the far reaches of the globe.

Mike was a phenomenal conversationalist and storyteller, with numerous interests outside of work, including indigenous art, billiards, beers from around the world (especially San Miguel!), classic rock and alternative music, movies, travel, football, basketball, hiking, scuba diving and cooking. One moment he could discuss the story arc of a Coen brothers’ film, and the next he could detail a close encounter with a dangerous Cassowary bird in a remote tropical village, while then transitioning to discuss the proper amount of virgin coconut oil needed for a killer Thai yellow curry. Mike was a rare individual who was able to make a lasting imprint on anyone who was fortunate to meet him. He was preceded in death by his father, William, Sr, and is survived by his mother, Barbara, and five siblings; Chris, Karen (Balamane), Kathy, Bill (Jr.), and Alicia (Perkins), along with a slew of cousins, nieces, and nephews. In lieu of flowers, Mike's family is requesting that you donate in his name to Oxfam.