It is with profound sadness we announce the unexpected passing of Mike (Michael) Clark Tadych on 9/15/2026 at the age of 60. Mike experienced a sudden cardiac arrest after doing one of the things he loved the most – mountain biking with family in the Utah desert. Everyone who knows and loves him is devastated by this huge loss and he will be forever missed.

Just like the incredible husband, dad, son, friend and colleague that he was, Mike chose to be an organ donor. Because of his health and generosity, multiple families have been given an opportunity for their next chapters.

Mike was born 7/17/1966 in Beaver Dam, WI to Carol and Stanley Tadych (nee Stange). He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s in Social Work from Loyola of Chicago. Mike never lost his Wisconsin roots - he forever retained his love of cheese, beer and Wisconsin Badger football.

Mike’s talents and interests were numerous. Mike’s yard was his oasis - his green thumb could grow almost anything anywhere, even plants that should not grow in that climate. Mike could fix anything – he was a precision house painter and loved a good project. He was an excellent cook who would rarely follow a recipe. But Mike’s favorite past-times involved anything outdoors. He loved camping in the Sprinter and hiking with his family and dogs, mountain biking, skiing, outdoor concerts, and sailing (to name a few), as well as curling and pickleball. Mike also appreciated a good bottle of bourbon, family game nights and travel (32 countries and 40 states). He was not the loudest voice in the room, but Mike was an attentive listener in both his personal and professional life. He never missed a single thing that happened and used that superpower to show people how much he cared (or win at cards). He was loved and known as ever the optimist who could also be a bit stubborn at times.

Mike’s love of all things outdoors and adventurous was eclipsed only by the love he had for his family. He met Gena and Tyler in 1999 while Gena and Mike were working at a VA hospital in Grand Junction, CO. They married and formed an instant family. Mike and Gena have been inseparable through their many adventures and moves, including to Colorado, Lake Tahoe/Reno, Seattle and most recently, Ogden, UT to be closer to Tyler and his wife, Kelsey. Tyler and Kelsey’s (Nicholson) wedding in September 2025 was one of the highlights of his year, and he has enjoyed adding a new family connection with the Nicholsons’.

Mike’s 30-year career in the VA Healthcare System was marked by a passion for the VA mission as well as by his steadfast, quiet and thoughtful leadership. He started his VA career as a Social Worker and moved through clinical leadership to Deputy Director/COO at the Reno VA and then Director/CEO at VA Puget Sound Health Care System. In 2022, Mike transitioned to the VA Office of the Inspector General with the goal to make a positive impact at a national level. Mike leaves behind a network of colleagues throughout the nation who consider him both a friend and a mentor. Like his family and friends, they are deeply saddened.

Mike recently transitioned to full-time retirement, living life to the fullest. Every day since he retired, he was either hiking with the dogs, biking, gardening, going to a concert, tackling a project, spending time with friends, loving on his dogs & family or all the above.