Michael W.R. Davis

d. April 11, 2020

Obituary of Michael W.R. Davis

DAVIS, Michael W.R., 88, author, journalist, and historian, died April 11, 2020, from COVID19. He was born in Buffalo, NY, grew up in Louisville, KY, resided in metro Detroit since 1957, and has lived with his wife, Karen Schwarz Davis, in Royal Oak for the past 30 years.

Mike spent 27 years as an executive in public relations and marketing for Ford Motor Co. and the Detroit Evening News Association. He then became the executive director of the Detroit Historical Society. Since 1990 Mike has published 18 books on technological, geographic, and automotive history with his latest being on the experience of his mother as a nurse during WWI. He has contributed to many magazines, newspapers, and journals and made many presentations on automotive and architectural history. Mike was a member and officer of many automotive and historical societies. Mike was a graduate of Yale University (BA 53) and Eastern Michigan University (MA 83).

He is survived by his wife, Karen; daughters Penny Davis (Eric Koppenhafer) and Betsy Davis; and son J. Mattison Davis, MD (Chanley Martin); stepdaughter Laura Crandall; granddaughter Morgan Davis; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial and internment at Christ Chruch Cranbrook at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Gleaners Food Bank.

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