Michael A. Kjelsberg ’87

Mike died August 21, 2022, of colon cancer, having already survived cancer before coming to Princeton. His philosophy was “life is sweet,” and he lived that every day.

Mike came from Minneapolis. He played the French horn, fenced, and played wheelchair basketball. He won the Hirata Cup championship at Tower and the chemistry thesis prize. He attended Johns Hopkins Medical School, trained at Duke and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and practiced at the Mayo Clinic. In 2002, Mike joined Mount Auburn Hospital as both chief of cardiology and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. He was a tremendous teacher, loved his practice, and saw patients up to his death. Mount Auburn has established an award for clinical and teaching excellence and an annual lecture in his memory.

Mike met his wife, Crystal, at Johns Hopkins. They married in 1993. Mike was devoted to his family and took photos of them that he meticulously cataloged. He was steady, upbeat, humorous, and observant. He made and kept good friends from all aspects of his life.

Mike is survived by Crystal; their children Hannah, Emory, Clara, and Henry; as well as his in-laws who loved him deeply.