Professor (Emeritus) Michael Ian Luger

Michael Ian Luger, of Prestbury, England, passed away on March 29, 2022 in the British Virgin Islands. A Northeast Pennsylvania native and citizen of the United States and the United Kingdom, Michael was, among many other things, a professor and public servant with a distinguished career on both sides of the Atlantic; dad, grandfather (poppy); husband, brother, colleague, and loyal friend.

Michael was an avid tennis player, Scrabble fanatic, and a seasoned crafter of puns and dad jokes. He loved jazz, walks with the family dogs, University of North Carolina basketball and Manchester City football (soccer). He committed himself to living life to its fullest: traveling with his wife Angela, spending time with friends and family and, recently, writing his first novel. He was never happier than when he was with his family in the UK, USA, or abroad. As dad - he volunteered as a soccer, softball, baseball and basketball coach, and with the Boy Scouts, and he spent many evenings helping his children figure out their math homework - to varying degrees of success. As grandfather/Poppy - he was funny, doting and always game for an adventure.

Michael was born February 24, 1950 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He excelled from a young age at academics and sports, with particular pride for his success as a running back on the Scranton Central football team and as an Eagle Scout. Michael was a student athlete at Princeton University, where he graduated with top honors in architecture and urban design. He continued his studies, earning a Master’s in Architecture from Princeton and a Master’s and PhD in City Planning and Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.

Michael and his first wife, Laura Fjeld (Bernstein), moved to North Carolina in 1980 for a professorship at Duke University. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he spent the bulk of his academic career, Michael was Professor of Public Policy, Planning and Business. He authored books on regional economic development and housing policy, and advised local, state, and national governments on economic development strategies.

Michael moved to the United Kingdom in 2006 to become Dean of the University of Manchester Business School. There, he met his wife Angela Spindler, and they were married in Angela’s hometown of Chester on December 30, 2007. After stepping down at Manchester, Michael was the Business Dean at Regents University in London and was appointed as Professor Emeritus at Manchester.

Beyond academia, Michael was a public servant on both sides of the Atlantic. He was influential in the public health and transit sectors in England, most recently as Chair of the Northern Care Alliance Hospital Trust in Greater Manchester. In his passion for public service and regional development, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Lackawanna County Commissioner Charles Luger.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Elliott Kurland (Laurie, also deceased) of Scottsdale, Arizona, and his parents Charles and Anne Luger of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.

Michael is survived by his wife and best friend, Angela Luger of Prestbury, England, and five children: Jason Luger (Daniel) of Newcastle upon Tyne England; Emily Siegel (Edward) of Detroit, Michigan; Nathaniel Luger of Durham, North Carolina; Abigail Spindler and Lewis Spindler, both of West Yorkshire, England; two grandchildren: Henry and Elizabeth Siegel; and his sister, Lisa Starr (Sam) of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.

The funeral will be held Friday at 11a.m. in the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc. 318 East Drinker Street in Dunmore to be officiated by Rabbi Miriam Spitzer and Cantor Vladimir Aronzon. The family will be receiving guests from 10a.m. Interment will follow in the Temple Israel Cemetery, Dunmore. For those unable to attend, you are invited to view online at scrantonfilms.com/livestream. 

Shiva will be observed on Sunday, April 10th from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. and on Monday April 11th from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the home of Lisa and Sam Starr.

Masks are requested at all indoor events.

Michael was so concerned and desperately sad for the people of Ukraine as they suffer the violence and upheaval of war. He would have been so pleased that we donate in his name to support those affected by this crisis. In lieu of flowers, we would ask that you show your kindness through the Ukrainian Red Cross society, who are delivering essential medical assistance. https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ua/donate/~my-donation?_cv=1

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