Michael R. Ehrhart II

United States Army & Air Force Staff Sergeant Michael R. Ehrhart II tragically passed away on February 24, 2023. His death was attributed to service-connected bone marrow cancer resulting from radiation and burn pit exposure while deployed in war zones.

Service was never a question for Ehrhart. From a young age, he knew he would join the military, driven by a deep sense of duty and commitment. After completing his Air Force service from August 1990 to June 1995, his commitment to the military remained unwavering. He was out of the service for a few years but he felt his duty to serve his country was not complete. He went to the recruiter’s office with the intention of reenlisting with the Air Force, however he was told that his current engineering MOS fell in the delayed entry program. An Army recruiter overhearing this, offered Mike the opportunity to reenlist immediately so he seized the opportunity to enlist in the Army this time He served in the Army from February 1997 to June 2013, completing 21 years of service and fighting in five wars. Among his many accomplishments, Ehrhart’s highest honor was the Bronze Star he received during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal for honorable service during a time of national emergency, a NATO Medal along with numerous other recognitions earned throughout his distinguished military career.

Ehrhart met his future wife, Lora, early in life, growing up in a very small, rural village in Ohio. Though they attended the same high school, it was on a small road in their hometown that she and his grandparents both lived on that they truly got to know each other. They quickly became best friends, eventually dating. They soon discovered that his mom and her dad both attended the same school in Kentucky. Ehrhart joined the military after graduation, and with several years between them, they drifted apart. Years later, they reconnected through social media, and despite the distance, their bond endured. When he retired and returned to their hometown, their connection proved as strong as ever. For soulmates, time and distance are never barriers—their lives were always intertwined, and even death could not separate them; Lora remains his wife in every sense of the word.

Life with Ehrhart was full of love, joy, and meaningful moments shared with their family. From a small, intimate wedding filled with warmth and affection to the excitement of picking out and watching their new house be built, every milestone was cherished. He delighted in their first family vacation together to the beach, celebrated holidays and special occasions with genuine joy, and was famously the happiest gift receiver, always finding joy in everything he received, no matter how big or small. Ehrhart treasured time with his family in a house filled with laughter, games, and friendly competition, especially when playing Mario Kart.

Ehrhart leaves a legacy defined by strength, honor, and true patriotism. He embodied the words, “All gave some, and some gave all.” Strong and stoic, he never sought attention or recognition for his service. Many of Ehrhart’s comrades have shared with Lora that he was a father figure to them, keeping his photo in their homes and even speaking to it when seeking guidance. One soldier shared, “Real leaders lead by example. Bosses tell you what to do. Mike was a humble leader, and he is the one I molded my own leadership style from.”

Beyond the battlefield, Ehrhart faced his own struggles with courage and quiet strength—navigating PTSD and later battling a rare, aggressive bone marrow cancer (myelodysplastic syndrome) caused by exposure to burn pits and radiation. He endured pain and sickness without complaint, always trying to shield those around him, but Lora always recognized the extent of his suffering. The cancer severely weakened Ehrhart’s immune system, and for three years he and his wife took every precaution to keep him safe, avoiding close contact, separating drinks, and regularly disinfecting surfaces. As they made the difficult decision to initiate hospice care, Ehrhart pulled Lora into his arms and kissed her, a moment of profound love and emotion for both of them.

The impact made by Ehrhart continues to be felt every day by those who loved him. Memories of him are honored at every family gathering, and the spirit he shared lives on in the hearts of their family, military brothers and sisters, and the many healthcare providers who cared for him, some of whom remain close friends of the family. Dedication and compassion are evident in their children as they carry forward lessons of strength, courage, and determination. He believed that encouraging words and having someone believe in you held far more power than being derogatory and demeaning. There are moments in life that require a strong stoic leader that paves the way through difficult times but there are other times in life that you need someone being compassionate, giving grace that we all hit difficult times in our lives and that expressing emotions isn’t a weakness, it’s being human that even when you make mistakes, owning up to them shows strength and asking for help when you are in over your head, is courageous. He always remembered to say he was proud of you because we all want to hear that someone believes in you and celebrates your accomplishments. Even amidst immense challenges, warmth, humor, and a heart of gold touched everyone around him. A spiritual legacy endures as well, reflected in a deeper relationship with God shared with the family, even during illness. Through the lives shaped and the love given, inspiration and guidance continue for all who were fortunate enough to know him.

United States Army & Air Force Staff Sergeant Michael R. Ehrhart is survived by his wife, Lora, and their children, Jaret and bonus daughters Becca and Rachel.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage on the Ehrhart family home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.