EVANSTON, IL (November 10, 2003) – A memorial service will be conducted on Friday for 63-year-old Michael Otto Houlahan, former chair of the English Department at North Park University where he taught English and Humanities for 16 years.<\/p>\n
The service will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the Alice Millar Chapel in Evanston. He died November 5 of complications from esophageal cancer.<\/p>\n
A lifelong resident of Evanston, he was born July 1, 1940, the son of John Joseph and Deane Fackrell Houlahan. Following graduation from Yale University, Houlahan married Colleen Kay Calderwood of Evanston, on Aug. 17, 1962. They moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he taught at the Punahou School. In 1966, Houlahan returned to Evanston where he attended Northwestern University and graduated with his Masters and PhD of English Literature. Upon his graduation, he became a professor of English at North Park University (then College).<\/p>\n
In 1986, Houlahan left academia and joined Hedrich-Blessing, Ltd., a world-renowned architectural photography firm headquartered in Chicago. As president, he worked with his partners for 17 years until the day of his death.<\/p>\n
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Colleen; his sons, Mike and Barton; his daughters-in-law, Katie and Christina; and his four grandchildren, Molly, Carly, Jack and Grace. He is also survived by his older brother and sister, John J. Houlahan (Judy) and Deane Ann Carlborg (Frank); his brother-in-law, William L. Calderwood (Annette); sister-in-law, Marcelete C. Riba (Ronald); 16 nieces and nephews; and many friends.<\/p>\n
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Northwestern University in care of the Development Office, 2020 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL, 60208, or to Yale College, Yale University Office of Development, P.O. Box 2038, New Haven, CT, 06521.<\/p>\n