Michael Bartel

Michael “Mike” Conrad Bartel, 65, of Beaumont, died Friday, January 26, 2018. He was born on June 30, 1952, in Fairfield, California, to Marjorie Marie and Harry Conrad Bartel.

During his childhood, Mike’s family resided on Air Force bases throughout the U.S. as well as in Japan and Germany. When Mike was in high school, his family made a permanent home in Austin, Texas. He graduated from John H. Reagan High School in 1970, and then began his studies at the University of Texas in Austin. Mike majored in chemical engineering and was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma, an honors chemical engineering fraternity. During college, Mike worked as a co-op with Jefferson Chemical Company in Beaumont, Texas.

After earning a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas in 1975, Mike began his engineering career with ExxonMobil, then MobilOil, in Beaumont, Texas. Mike worked in numerous areas of the refinery from scheduling to process design as well as being a mentor to many new engineers (or “the kids” as he called them). He also had the opportunity to work on projects in Canada and Australia during this time. Mike retired from ExxonMobil after forty years of service. Recently, Mike was working as a Senior Process Design Engineer with Hargrove & Associates, Inc., in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He continued to use his expertise in consulting work and in mentoring new engineers.

Mike is survived by his wife, Carol Dillon Bartel, of Beaumont; daughters, Sarah Margaret Bartel, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Lorianna Grace Bartel, of Beaumont, Texas; brothers, Rick Bartel, of Crofton, Maryland; Tim Bartel and his wife, Debi, of Tijeras, New Mexico; and Pat Bartel, of Austin, Texas; and sister, Sue Barbero of Round Rock, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mike enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life. He loved fishing and taking the boat out on Lake Sam Rayburn, deer hunting in West Texas, traveling, and reading. Mike travelled the world experiencing amazing scuba diving sites, hiking through national parks, and snow skiing in Colorado. He was known for his cooking and baking skills, especially his peanut butter cookies.

Mike’s greatest joys in life were his wife, Carol, and their daughters, Sarah and Lorianna (and their dogs, Max, Brutus, and Ava).A gathering of Mr. Bartel’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Friday, February 2, 2018, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Funeral service for Mr. Bartel will be at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, with a reception to immediately follow in the Nita McKnight Parlor.

Donations may be made in memory of Mike Bartel to the Beaumont Public Library System, 801 Pearl Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.