Born in Los Angeles, California, on December 4, 1942, Imhoff graduated from San Gabriel High School in 1960. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Riverside in 1964 and went on to obtain a Doctorate in Chemistry from the University of Colorado in 1969. He did postdoctoral work at Princeton University from 1969 to 1970. In 1965, he married Janet Broadhead in Camarillo, California.
Imhoff dedicated his entire professional life to Austin College, where he served as Professor of Chemistry from 1970 to 1999 and later as Vice President for Academic Affairs from 1999 to 2013. He was deeply passionate about teaching and cherished the vibrant community and enduring friendships he found at Austin College. His academic pursuits included sabbaticals at Indiana University in 1980 and the University of North Carolina in 1998, as well as travel to Japan and China representing the College in 2000. Imhoff’s interests extended beyond chemistry to environmental science and climate change, which inspired him to serve as the Climate Chair for the League of Women Voters of Texas in 2021.
In retirement, Imhoff remained active in his community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Heard Natural Science Museum in McKinney, Texas. He actively participated at the Senior Recreation Center in McKinney where numerous friendships were formed. He and Janet loved to travel and explored various destinations together, including Mexico, England and Scotland, Italy, France, Turkey, Peru, Spain, Greece, and the Danube River countries, as well as Germany and the Czech Republic. As a lifelong learner, Mike was teaching himself Spanish throughout his retirement.
Imhoff was preceded in death by his parents, Hunter and Esther Coronado Imhoff. He is survived by his beloved wife, Janet, and children, Joshua Imhoff of Coppell, Texas and Elizabeth Mabey and her husband Paul of Denver, Colorado, as well as his brother Bill Imhoff and partner Hilde Heidt of Mendocino, California. Imhoff also leaves behind seven cherished grandchildren: Alex, Cole, Ethan, Daniel and Bryce Imhoff of Texas, and Caroline and Nicholas Mabey of Colorado, who brought immense joy to his life.
A memorial service will be held on campus at Wynne Chapel on February 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Dr. Michael Imhoff be made to Austin College.
