David Tilch - Obituary

avid Michael “Mike” Tilch David Michael Tilch – known to his friends, colleagues, fellow opera buffs, and the Washington DC restaurant and wine community as “Mr. Mike”, died suddenly September 5, 2007. Mike was 57 and lived in Foggy Bottom, near his beloved Kennedy Center, and in Fort Washington, Maryland. For more than 30 years, Mike along with his brother Ray, operated Silesia Liquors in Ft. Washington. He was a member of the International Food and Wine Society, Les Cent du Chevaliers du Vin, Washington Opera Society, and a supporter of the New York Metropolitan Opera. Mike loved music, especially classical. Mike loved wine and passed this passion on to his friends and clients. He believed and practiced ‘having his feet in the earth' to better appreciate and understand the wine and the winemaking process. He bestowed his knowledge and experience on all of us who were lucky enough to know him. Just last week, Mike traveled to Napa Valley and Sonoma County learning more about small boutique wineries and their niche in the DC market. As an inveterate wine traveler, he made journeys to Europe – France (especially Champagne and Burgundy), Germany, and Portugal - South Africa, Australia, and across the US cataloging wineries, observing their terroir and winemaking processes, and sharing his bonhomie with one and all, often making friends and not simply business contacts. Mike also believed in matching wine selections to the client's palate and pocketbook. He often seduced new wine lovers with bargain-bin wines as a pathway to broadening their tastes. His business model was to teach the customer about wine, not simply sell a bottle or case, because his passion was the educated consumer. In his life, he served as a mentor to many in the wine trade including sommeliers, often giving them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to taste and discuss wines from his extensive cellar. Mike is survived by his mother, Frances C. Tilch, his brother Ray and sister-in-law Karen, nephews Paul and Mark, niece Meredith, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is also survived by many other relatives and friends. Family and friends are invited to Mike's Life Celebration on Sunday, September 9 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8p.m. at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd. Oxon Hill, Md. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, September 10, 2007 at 11am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Piscatway, 13401 Piscatway Rd., Clinton, MD 20735. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mike's name to: Washington Concert Opera, c/o Judy Gruber, 1808 Conn. Ave.,NW, Suite 101 , Washington D.C. 20009