Michael Muir

Spider saver. Harley rider. Challenger driver. Bad pun maker. Voracious reader. Gifted writer and guitarist. Music lover. Blues pianist. Songwriter. Avid historian. Smitten husband. Adoring father. Doting granddaddy. Faithful friend. Late-onset dog lover. Advocate for all. Coffee coordinator. Karate black belt. Unofficial therapist to anyone in need. Badass angel.

In a heartbreaking loss for family and friends, Michael Alexander Muir passed away on July 9th, 2020, due to complications from pneumonia. Michael was born on January 19, 1947, in Washington, DC, the first child of Helen and Alexander “Sandy” Muir. His youngest years were spent in the northern Virginia area, with his family eventually settling into a home on Main St. in Hillsboro. Michael was a member of one of the first graduating classes at Loudoun Valley High School, filling his time there as a devoted member of the Debate Team and the guitarist in a beloved rock band of classmates that would reconvene nearly 50 years later. Michael and his dearest friend, Bruce Brownell, spent their free time roaming around western Loudoun, often stirring up trouble on Bruce’s family farm. Michael’s beloved younger sister Marybeth, whom he dedicated his life to mentoring, often joined in their escapades.

After high school, Michael moved to the California northern bay area, where he attended college and had two daughters, Jane and Jennifer. Though he cherished the area for its stunning landscape and rich rock music scene, he returned to Loudoun in 1986 to begin a new chapter of his life. Reuniting with his best buddy Bruce, Michael served as manager of Market Station, one of Bruce’s many development properties, and lived humbly with not much more than his beloved Harley Davidson and his two guitars. Michael and Bruce continued their adventures together, riding their Harleys across the continental U.S., taking them to Alaska, and even shipping them to Melbourne, Australia, to ride around the country for six weeks exploring the Outback.

It was after his return to Loudoun that Michael met and fell in love with a young widow, Judith Romberg, and her two small children, Mac and Bess. He often described this phase of his life as his “second chance,” determined to be a good father and working diligently on improving both his physical and mental health. Michael openly shared about this journey, including becoming active in local 12 Step recovery programs and mentoring dozens of people in this capacity.

Michael was a veteran from the Navy, working in security and intelligence. He retired in 2014 from the Department of Defense, Defense Logistic Agency. In the last few years of his life, Michael appreciated more free time to read, exercise, play music, get fired up about politics with Judith, catch up with his kids, and dote on his many grandchildren.

Donations in memory of Michael may be made to Loudoun Club 12 online or via mail: http://www.loudounclub12.org/support.html

Loudoun Club 12 P.O. Box 506 Leesburg, VA 20178