Thomas Michael Armstead, of Rochester, MN, passed away peacefully at home on January 24, 2017.  Mike was born in Springfield, IL to Thomas L. Armstead and Janet F. Armstead on October 26, 1960. He grew up in Springfield with three older sisters and one younger brother.  He graduated from Griffin High School in 1978 and Marquette University in 1982 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He started his long career at IBM in 1982. After 34 years at IBM, he was an accomplished Senior Engineer with numerous patents. In 1985, he married his high school sweet heart, Therese (Casey) Armstead. Together they had four children; Stephanie Armstead of Denver, Colorado, Daniel and wife, Sara Armstead of Minneapolis, Franny Armstead, and James Armstead of Rochester.

"Army", as his friends knew him, was passionate about sports, in particular golf and football and often hosted parties and tournaments to bring his friends together. Mike combined his love for sports and selfless commitment to community in his years as the Athletic Director at St. Francis School and decades of coaching soccer and basketball. He volunteered with Junior Achievement, Kiwanis and the St. Vincent DePaul Society at Pax Christi. He enjoyed golfing, cooking and traveling with his active family.

He is survived by his wife, Therese, and his children, Stephanie, Dan and wife Sara, Franny, and James; three sisters, Barb (Tim) Call, Linda (John) Kulek, Karrie (Brad) Long; and brother, John Armstead. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, John Armstead.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00AM Monday, January 30, 2017 at Pax Christi Catholic Church in Rochester officiated by Father Joseph Fogal. Visitation will be Sunday, January 29th from 4:00-7:00pm in River Park Chapel of Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the dedicated staff of Mayo Clinic and Mayo Hospice. Memorials are preferred to Lourdes Foundation for a scholarship established in memory of Mike Armstead, directly accessed at http://www.lourdesfoundation.org/make-a-gift/give-now.