Michael L. Bierle, MD
March 12, 1959 - May 18, 2017
Michael Lawrence Bierle, MD, passed away on May 18th, 2017 after a long, courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on March 12, 1959, in Yankton, S.D., the fourth of seven children to Donald and Patricia Bierle. Michael suffered health challenges as a child that required hospitalizations away from his family and friends. Many who Michael touched had no idea that Dr. Bierle had endured so much as a patient himself, but all would say how kind, compassionate and sincere he was in their times of need.
Michael's early childhood challenges did not keep him from living life to the fullest. He was an excellent student while participating in marching band, chorus, school plays, basketball, golf, and baseball. Michael was inspired by the doctors and nurses who cared for him, and chose to minister to others through his own medical career. He completed his undergraduate degree in chemistry and German at the University of South Dakota, pledging his father's fraternity, Delta Tau Delta. He graduated from USD Medical School in 1985 and completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Nevada Affiliates Hospital in Reno, Nevada. He continued his training in nephrology at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California. He was board certified in both nephrology and internal medicine and practiced over 30 years. He joined Nephrology Associates in Little Rock in 1992. One of his many professional activities included serving as the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of the Arkansas Kidney Foundation.
Michael was married to his soul mate of more than 30 years, Anita (Wendt). Together, they raised two beautiful children, Collin and Lindsey. More than any professional accomplishment, Michael's was proudest of his children. He frequently praised Collin's perseverance and strength in becoming a United States Marine and his passion for our country. Michael also shared a deep bond with his daughter as he encouraged her during her medical training to become the next Dr. Bierle.
Michael shared his passion for sports with his children, and made beautiful memories to cherish by taking them to special events like the Talladega 500 and a Lakers-Grizzlies game. He loved the outdoors and taking his family snow skiing and mountain climbing in Colorado. He also enjoyed hunting and watching his Labrador dogs retrieve. Michael introduced friends and family to the joys of South Dakota pheasant hunting every autumn, and he delighted in the fellowship that it brought. He wanted his friends and family to have the best experience, and many times would not take the opportunity to shoot. He was like that . . . Michael put others before himself.
Michael participated in Bible Study Fellowship for many years, and he was passionate about sharing God's Word with others. He and Anita would often discuss what God was teaching them, often reading to each other while traveling.
Michael was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents, his parents, five uncles and aunts. He is survived by his beloved wife Anita, his son Collin (Cristena) of Maumelle and daughter Lindsey of Corinth, Mississippi, as well as one brother, five sisters, and many nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by his friends, colleagues, patients and their families.
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