Michael Dively Explained

Michael Augustus Dively
Birth Date:December 30, 1938
Birth Place:Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Education:University School
Williams College
University of Michigan Law School
American University
Occupation:Politician, philanthropist
Party:Republican Party

Michael Dively (born December 30, 1938) is an American politician and philanthropist. He served as a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1968 to 1975, representing Traverse City, Michigan. He has supported LGBT rights in Key West, Florida and public education in Michigan.

Early life

Michael Dively was born in 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.[1] His father was the chairman of the Harris Corporation.[2]

Dively was educated at the University School and graduated from Williams College.[1] [2] He received a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and another graduate degree from American University.[1]

Career

Dively worked as a lawyer in Traverse City, Michigan from 1964 to 1968.[1] He served as a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1968 to 1975, representing Traverse City.[1] The seat was previously held by Arnell Engstrom,[3] and he was succeeded by Connie Binsfeld. He subsequently served as Deputy Director of the Michigan Department of Commerce,[4] until he was appointed as Director of the Energy Administration.[1] He later served as the Chair of the Michigan Civil Service Commission.[1]

Dively taught Government at Albion College and American University.[1]

Philanthropy

Dively served on the board of trustees of Hiram College.[1] He was a co-founder of the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, the Gay Lesbian Community Center of Key West, and the Key West AIDS Memorial.[1]

Dively endowed the Michael Dively American Government Award Endowment at the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, which supports public schools in Traverse City, Michigan.[1]

Personal life

Dively was engaged to a woman, Charlotte Lyeth, in 1978.[2] He is now openly gay.[5] He was in the closet while he held public office.[5] He resides in Winter Park, Florida.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MICHAEL DIVELY AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AWARD ENDOWMENT. Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. August 21, 2016.
  2. News: Charlotte Lyeth Is Fiancee of Michael Dively. August 21, 2016. The New York Times. April 16, 1978.
  3. News: New Legislator. August 21, 2016. Traverse City Record-Eagle. Traverse City, Michigan. November 6, 1968. 1. Newspapers.com. registration .
  4. News: Ex-Lawmaker Back on Payroll. August 21, 2016. Ironwood Daily Globe. Ironwood, Michigan. January 30, 1975. 9. Newspapers.com. registration .
  5. News: Richard A. Heyman Dies at 59; One of First Openly Gay Mayors. August 21, 2016. The New York Times. September 17, 1994. "When he was elected to the city commission there were very few if any openly gay and lesbians who had been elected to any public office in this country," said Michael Dively of Key West, who in the 1960s and 1970s served six years in the Michigan Legislature without disclosing he is homosexual..