Michael Maxfield Austin

Michael M. Austin of Moorpark, CA passed away at home on November 8, 2021 at the age of 91. He was born in Utah on April 19, 1930 to Michael John Austin and Lillian Maxfield Austin, and grew up in Afton, Wyoming. He graduated valedictorian from Star Valley High School, later earning his bachelor’s degree in Physics from Brigham Young University and completing PhD coursework in Physics with honors at the University of California at Berkeley. 

     Mike served a tour of duty in the Army Intelligence Corps at the end of the Korean War, and also served a mission in Wales for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He went on to enjoy a long civilian career in computer engineering and management, and spent several years on a computer project at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany. That experience sparked a lifetime appreciation of German culture and the German language, and he maintained fluency in German throughout his life.  He loved European travel, music, the arts, and especially science.

     Mike is survived by his wife, Suzanne, and their blended family including daughters LeeAnn Austin Rooney (William), Lynette Austin Woolf, Tammy Braun (Robert), and Christina Graf (Jason); and sons Michael Austin, Randall Stoner (Yoko), and Matthew Stoner.  Two sons, Christopher Austin (Tami) and David Austin (Mary Jude), predeceased him. Their family also includes 23 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Mike is also survived by his two brothers, Richard Austin (Sherry) and Vaughan Austin (Cheryl), and his sister Gaylia Austin Smoot (Robert).  One brother, John Austin (Gloria), predeceased him.

     Mike was kind, loving, outgoing, and always eager to engage with others in conversations on any topic.  He will be greatly missed.

     Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3645 N Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA on Monday, November 29, 2021. Viewing will begin at 1 PM followed by the funeral at 2:30. Burial with military honors will take place Tuesday, November 30th at 12:30 PM at the Riverside National Cemetery, in Riverside, CA.