Michael Uwe Halliger, known to many Cobar High School students as Mr Halliger, died peacefully on November 13.
Michael was born in Germany on June 15, 1951 to Karl and Ursula Halliger and had one sibling, a sister, Hannelore.
After training as a chef in Germany, Michael migrated to Australia in 1980 to study.
While studying three degrees at Sydney University, a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science and a teaching diploma, he worked part time as a chef.
A year after moving to Australia he began writing to a penfriend, Maria-Eva in the Phillipines, who became the love of his life.
The couple was married in the Phillipines in 1982 and Eva came to live in Australia with Michael.
They had a long and happy marriage and had two sons, Neill and Ryan.
Michael said his boys were more than just his children, they were also his mates and great companions.
Both boys married with Ryan and Jess giving Michael and Eva three wonderful grandchildren to spoil, Archer, Luna and Ryder.
When Neill married Steph, Michael said they not only welcomed a much loved daughter-in-law but also a cherished member of the family who had a deep connection to country.
Michael took up his first teaching position as a science teacher at Cobar High School in 1989 and never left.
He was passionate about both science and teaching, and he strove to instill that passion for science in his students.
Michael was also a herpetologist, studying and keeping reptiles and snakes and was happy to talk to anyone about reptiles and snakes at any time.
He found great strength in the Japanese tradition of nature-worship.
Before he died, Michael said: “I will return to nature where I came from.
“I will be part of the fish, the reptiles, trees and birds—that’s my reincarnation.
“I had a rich and full life and have no regrets,” he said.
“I will live on in my memories of me and through my grandchildren.”
Michael was diagnosed with cancer in January this year and underwent treatment in Dubbo.
He died peacefully at home with Eva in the early hours of November 13 aged 74.
He was still teaching up until a few months before his passing.
