Michigan / Detroit people: Did Mike Koontz pass away?

[JimAnsell]

I was at guitar center today, and over heard someone tell a long time employee that legendary Ferndale, Mi based guitar tech Mike Koontz passed away last week.
I couldn't find anything online about it. If this is true, its a huge loss, as he was known as being hands down the best tech in the area.
Anyone else from the area hear anything about this ?

 

[spawn802]

Man I sure hope not. I've yet to meet a better luthier and he's one of the nicest people I've ever met. I just called the shop and there's a message saying he is closed for health reasons and that all orders are delayed. I hope the man is ok and the folks at guitar center had it wrong.

 

[midnightlaundry]

 

[JimAnsell]

Man I sure hope not. I've yet to meet a better luthier and he's one of the nicest people I've ever met. I just called the shop and there's a message saying he is closed for health reasons and that all orders are delayed. I hope the man is ok and the folks at guitar center had it wrong.

Absolutely one of a kind dude. Very humble, friendly, soft spoken, and a master of his craft. This would be a huge deal to the guitar/bass playing community in this area. The guy who said it was selling some high end gear from a dead relative, and mentioned it casually in the conversation, and the sales guy (long time local musician who knows everyone) and i met eyes and gave each other the "holy shit!" look. I butted into the conversation and asked "mike koontz, the guitar tech passed away?" and he said "yeah last week". I was pretty stunned and texted a buddy who used his services a lot. he knew he was sick but didn't know from what. nothing on the net yet about it.

 

[Code001]

What the fuck, did he? I was literally going to take my guitar to him next week. I know he had some health issues... Fuck dude... This is an insane loss to the community if it's true. I really don't know anyone else around here that has the attention to detail and care for guitars like he did.