Maurice (Mike) Lawrence Adams, Jr.

Maurice Lawrence Adams Jr (Mike), age 80, of Chagrin Falls, OH passed away on May 16th surrounded by his loved ones. Born on June 9, 1940 in York, PA to Maurice L. Adams and Elizabeth (Fetrow), he called Chagrin Falls his home for the last 40 years.

In high school Mike became a very accomplished clarinetist and played in district and state bands in 1957 and 1958. His senior year of high school he won the Pennsylvania statewide clarinet solo competition playing Debussy’s “Premier Rhapsody” with piano accompaniment. He then played the same piece that summer with the York Symphony Orchestra, an event he always remembered fondly.

Upon the advice of his father, Mike began studying mechanical engineering in college, which eventually became his second passion and lead him to a career in the field of rotating machinery analysis. He graduated from Lehigh (1963), received his master’s degree from Penn State (1970), and his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh (1977). After several years working for research companies in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas, Mike entered academia as a professor at the University of Akron. After teaching there from 1977-1981 he accepted a position at Case Western Reserve University and remained there until his retirement in 2015. During that time Mike had 5 books published in the field of mechanical engineering, and he received numerous awards and recognitions in his field of study.

In his later years, Mike renewed his passion for clarinet. He played many concerts around the Cleveland area, and created friendships with some of the best classical musicians in the area, which was a dream that brought him full circle.

He is survived by his four sons: Maurice III (Pasadena, CA), Michael, Roy, and Nathan, who all reside in Cleveland, and his grandchildren Ariana and Maurice. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers George and Edward, his wife Kathleen (Demaree) and his first wife Heidi (Hopfensitz).

The memorial service will be privately held in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. will be privately held in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. 

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Falls Chapel, 1907 23rd St.  Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44223

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