Michael David Kochendorfer

May 2, 1946 -

Aug 16, 2020

Michael David "Captain Mike" Kochendorfer, 74, passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 16, 2020, at his Chugiak, Alaska, residence.

Mike was born on May 2, 1946, in St. Paul, Minn., to Phillip and Louettie (Vanderpas) Kochendorfer.

Mike was an extremely talented, self-taught master craftsman and jack-of-all-trades who was good at nearly everything. He was a gifted artist who loved painting, a carpenter, welder, mechanic, hunter, fisherman and pilot. He owned his own floatplane and boat and he loved to host folks from all over on flying, hunting and fishing trips, thus earning him his nickname of Captain Mike.

Mike was recently retired from the State of Alaska, having worked in his Facilities Maintenance position with Anchorage International Airport for over 25 years. His beautiful displays and other works are still proudly on exhibit.

Left with decades of memories, loads of stories and huge holes in our hearts are his daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Chris Waddell; daughter, Kassandra Smiley; mother-in-law, Dorothy DeFlorin; companion of 15 years, VeeAnn Schrock; grandchildren, Jaycen, Josie, Cierra, Hayden, Elle and Kynnzey; and great-grandson, Kayden; siblings and their spouses, Colleen Tafs, Kathaleen and Mark Kastens, Kellya and Cathy Kochendorfer, Pat and Denise Kochendorfer and Alfred Kochendorfer (missing since 2000); numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and so many friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his only son, Michael "Mikie" Kochendorfer; daughter, Krystal Kochendorfer; parents, Phillip and Louettie Kochendorfer; father-in-law, John DeFlorin; brother, John Kochendorfer; and brother-in-law, Terrance Tafs. In accordance with his wishes, he has been cremated and his ashes will be interred with the Angelus Memorial Park Columbarium in Anchorage, Alaska, near his children and mother. Due to COVID-19, his Celebration of Life will be postponed until a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to Legacy Witzleben Funeral Home. Please visit legacyalaska.com for the full version of this obituary.