Michael Griffin; Community Activist, Property Appraiser

Michael Fitzpatrick Griffin, a former English teacher and Peace Corps volunteer, turned his talent for writing and his knowledge of buildings and people into a career as a master property appraiser.

With the Peace Corps in Iran and Afghanistan he had worked with a variety of people in an array of real-estate situations.

He held an MAI designation, the highest rating of the national Appraisal Institute, and was a principal in the firm Palmer Groth &Pietka.

He also was an adjunct instructor in the real-estate- appraisal program at Bellevue Community College.

"Michael is remembered as a people person; he had time for people," said his wife of 31 years, Suzanne Griffin of Seattle. "He was a generous community leader, a loyal friend and a role model for many on how to conduct one's private and professional life."

Mr. Griffin died of heart failure Wednesday (April 28). He was 56.

Born in Detroit, he earned a bachelor's degree in English at John Carroll University in Ohio. He taught English in the Peace Corps in Iran.

He earned a master's degree in history at Notre Dame, and rejoined the Peace Corps as a field officer in Afghanistan.

Mr. Griffin returned to the United States to work for the Office of Economic Opportunity in Chicago, then joined the Tecton property firm in San Francisco. He earned a second master's degree in urban policy at San Francisco State University.

He returned to the Middle East in 1978 to find housing for American workers, but left during the coup against the shah of Iran. A few years later, he moved to Seattle to continue his training for a career in real-estate appraisal.

He worked with several companies, but was with Palmer Groth & Pietka for the past nine years.

He chaired the building committee of the board of directors of the downtown Seattle YMCA. He also chaired the International Right-of-Way Association's local chapter education committee, and worked in Rotary Club International. He was active on the board of Villa Academy and in several Seattle churches.

Also surviving are daughters Rachael Bouma, Denver, and Sarah Griffin, Seattle; his mother, Mary Griffin, Northville, Mich.; siblings Judy Mulkerin, Walla Walla, Terry Griffin, Farmington Hills, Mich., Patricia Robbins, West Chester, Pa., Dan Griffin, Kansas City, Mo.; Sheila Caratenuto, East Falmouth, Mass., Anne Mancini, Keene, N.Y., and Kate Bulgier, Dearborn Heights, Mich.

Mass has been said. Remembrances may go to Sacred Heart Parish, 205 Second Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109; Rotary Club of Seattle, 1118 Financial Center Building, Seattle, WA 98101; Downtown Seattle YMCA, 909 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104; or Nature Conservancy, 217 Pine St., Suite 1100, Seattle, WA 98101.

Carole Beers' phone message number is 206-464-2391. Her e-mail address is: cbeers@seattletimes.com