R. Michael “Mike” Justice, 60, an environmental engineer and consultant, died Friday, July 21, after an extended battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Mike was first diagnosed in December 2004 with the disease, which is named for the New York Yankees' first baseman who died of ALS in 1941.

During his battle with ALS, Mike strove to educate people about the disease both through personal contact and 20 issues of his newsletter, ALS Adventures, which reached hundreds of people by e-mail. The publication, which he wrote from March 2005 to July 2006, contained Mike’s periodic accounts of his experiences living with ALS.  All issues are available online at http://www.mikejusticefund.org/ALSAdventures.asp.

In 1993, Mike formed the environmental consulting firm Justice & Associates with his wife, Susan. Since then the company has grown to a staff of 30 with offices in Long Beach, Calif., Fairfield, Calif., and Las Vegas. In 1998, together with Michael Butler, he founded Butler-Justice, a firm specializing in construction parts and equipment. The company received a patent for a specialized air pollution control system for asphalt plants in June 2005.

During his career, Mike gained a broad background in air permits and other environmental issues that developed from his extensive experience in the management, engineering, design and installation of heavy manufacturing facilities. Recognized throughout California as an expert in his field, he frequently spoke before and wrote articles for state and national trade associations.

He served on the national environmental committee of the National Stone Association and the National Asphalt Pavement Association and was the environmental committee chairman of the California Asphalt Pavement Association. He chaired the joint U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/industry consultative process that evaluated emission reduction alternatives for harbor craft marine vessels operating in Southern California coastal waters.

Mike was widely known for his involvement in California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District’s regional clean air management program. The RECLAIM program provides a means for trading emissions credits, with the goal of reducing nitrogen-oxide and sulfur-oxide air pollution.

He was born Richard Michael Justice October 4, 1945, in Spartanburg, S.C., the son of William G. Justice and Mary Furchak. He served in the Air Force in Thailand during the Vietnam War before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing with a minor in engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1973. Later he worked as an engineer for several companies, including Otto H. Rosentretor Co., Westlectric Castings, Pacific Alloy Castings and Darco Engineering.

On June 10, 2005, the California legislature honored Mike with a joint resolution for a lifetime of achievements and meritorious service to humanity.

Mike is survived by his wife, Susan Mary Reigner Justice; children David A. Justice of Placentia, Calif., Jason J. Justice of Oakland, Calif., Alicia S. Hansell of Buena Park, Calif., and Cori Justice Walters of Fountain Valley, Calif.; granddaughter Hannah Michaela Walters of Fountain Valley; and a brother, William G. Justice of Knoxville, Tenn.

ALS is a rapidly progressive disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. Eventually, patients lose their strength and ability to move their arms, legs and body. When muscles in the diaphragm and chest wall fail, patients cannot breathe without ventilatory support. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within three to five years. About 10 percent of patients survive for 10 years or more.

Mike’s efforts to help find a cure for ALS will be carried on by the Not-for-Profit charitable foundation he established, the Mike Justice Fund. Your gift to the Mike Justice Fund will help support research to find a cure for ALS and provide much needed services to patients and their families. By becoming an “Associate” of the Mike Justice Fund you will help sustain hope in thousands of people affected by ALS. Because of Mike’s involvement in environmental issues a portion of your gift may go towards providing environmental engineering and science scholarships to well-qualified students.

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