Michael D. Leis

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FRAMINGHAM – Michael D. Leis of Framingham on Saturday, September 11, 2021.

For 54 years, he was the beloved husband of Roberta (Garson) Leis. Loving father of Peter Leis & wife Jennifer Storo, Rabbi Shoshana Leis & husband Rabbi Benjamin Newman, and Jennifer Leis. Adored grandfather of Garson Leis, Ari Newman, Jasper Leis, and Isaiah Newman. Dear brother of Jonathan Leis.

Michael David Leis lived an extraordinary life.

A graduate of both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs at MIT, he worked as an electrical engineer for more than forty years at Digital Equipment Corporation, Quantum, Maxtor, and then Seagate, where his specialty was designing hard drives and managing teams of innovators.

Michael held more than thirty original patents in hard drive technology. He made significant contributions to magnetic tape technology and did groundbreaking work in video terminals. His colleagues describe him as “the engineer’s engineer!”

Prior to that, he worked at Draper Laboratories, where one of his greatest accomplishments was his work on the guidance system of the original Apollo 11 program.

Michael lived life to the fullest. Despite dealing on a daily basis with a serious heart condition, he and his wife, Roberta, traveled extensively throughout the world – and “against doctor’s orders,” even venturing to Patagonia, Africa, and Bhutan. Nothing could hinder his zest for the discovery of life. On his travels, not content with just seeing the major tourist sites, he wandered into every bazaar or street fair he could find, seeking to explore the wonders of people’s daily lives. Michael was everybody’s favorite house guest! Each time he visited, he would offer to fix any plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or technical problem . . . with an astonishing success rate! The truth is, he could fix anything in sight!

Michael took pride in his beautiful historic home in Framingham and his beloved “Birchrock” summer home in Maine. Michael was a dedicated community citizen. He spent countless hours doing pro-bono IT work for the Regional Association of Recovery Court Professionals. He was also an elected Framingham town hall member.

Most of all, Michael adored and took pride in his children and grandchildren, working on activities with each of them, acting as their personal teacher and guide. Michael Leis was a kind and caring person, who loved to meet new people and hear their stories.

The irony is that such a gentle soul, who was so successful in overcoming his health issues, would suffer a violent death due to a reckless driver — a tragic, senseless end to a sweet, peaceful, and productive life.

Graveside services at the Beit Olam East Cemetery, 42 Concord Rd., Wayland on Tuesday, September 14 at 11am, livestream will be available. In person attendance requires being vaccinated and masked.

Shiva: At his late residence Tuesday until 7pm and Wednesday, September 15th, 12-3pm with a zoom at 11am. Additional zoom gatherings will be scheduled after Yom Kippur.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Charles A. Boucher, MD Endowed Education Fund in Cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, New England Association of Recovery Court Professionals Scholarship Fund, or a charity of your choice. Livestream and zoom link information will be posted on the Levine Chapels website when available.

Levine Chapels, Brookline 617-277-8300 www.levinechapel.com

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