Michael Allan Archenhold, 49, died on November 14, 1999, at his home in Austin, Texas, surrounded by his many friends.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas on May 5, 1950, Mike attended Fort Worth public schools. Mike entered the University of Texas at Austin in 1968 and graduated in 1972, with a degree in Radio, Television and Film. Although he moved briefly to Corpus Christi in 1972-73, he returned to live in the easy pace of South Austin.

Mike's life was marked by a devotion to absurdist humor. As a founding member of the Tomato Hubris for Wit and Wisdom, Mike participated in the planning and staging of numerous satirical public theater events in the late 1960's. Mike was a contributing writer to The Salamander Weekly and to Eg-groll, both locally published periodicals dealing with the absurdities of life with a Dadaist joie de vivre. In the early 1970's, Mike and his friends wrote, produced, and recorded "The Brother Heumann Show," a series of radio programs broadcast o radio station XEG from Coahuila, Mexico. Mike contributed to the Austin political scene by assisting in the city council campaign of his friend, Paul Spragens, whose platform included transforming the Austin Police Department into a free municipal taxi service.

As Associate Director of Austin City Limits, as well as one of the program's original camera operators, Mike combined his love of traditional music and his unequaled skill in operating a television studio camera. Mike loved the outdoors, and traveled throughout the American west with his friends. An ardent environmentalist and supporter of causes benefiting humanity and nature, Mike gave generous support to programs relieving hunger and restoring America's wilderness places. When cancer became a factor in his life's challenges, he faced it with dignity and with his typical foresight and planning.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Archenhold.

He is survived by his father, R.C. Archenhold of Fort Worth; his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Susan Archenhold of Fort Worth; his brother, Ralph Archenhold of Portland, Oregon; and many cousins, including his beloved Bertha and Sam Shanblum, Lynda Shanblum, Laurie Shanblum Robinson and Ron Marks of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his cat, Lulu, the St. Louis Cardinals, and countless friends.

Heartfelt thanks are given to his friend and primary caregiver, Barbara Baskin, who cared for him in his last months of life. Grateful appreciation for Jon Narum's abiding friendship and return to Austin to be present for Mike. Thanks to Jackie Kelid for her support and daily attention and thanks to Darla, Sandy, and Rosie of Hospice Austin. Mike's family, friends, and colleagues are left with a deep sense of loss and profound regret for the passing of one so widely admired, respected and loved.

At Mike's request, no funeral or memorial service will be held. His friends will gather to celebrate his life and recount stories of Mike and his many kindnesses at Mercury Hall, 615 Cardinal Lane at South First Street in Austin on Sunday, November 21, 1999, at 2:00 p.m. Mike asked that any charitable donations in his memory be made to the Ausitn-Travis County Animal Services at 1156 West Cesar Chavez, Austin, Texas 78703.