In memoriam: Michael D. Dingman

Michael D. Dingman died of cancer last week at the age of 86. I had the privilege and honor of serving for ten years as Director of the Michael D. Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the Smith School of Business, University of Maryland. During his long career, Mike was president or CEO of a number of companies, including Wheelabrator-Frye, The Signal Companies, Allied Signal, the Henley Group, and the Shipston Group. In the late 1980s, when no one else would step up and support entrepreneurship in Maryland and the surrounding region, Mike wrote a check that launched an entrepreneurship center at his alma mater. Later, he provided us with additional substantial support that led to the Dingman Center’s recognition as one of the top-ranked such organizations in the nation. Mike was one of the most successful and generous people I have known. More importantly, he was my friend. Thank you, Mike, and rest in peace.

10 Comments

  1. Babe Feldman on October 8, 2017 at 4:31 pm

    I only had the opportunity to hear him speak once and meet him. His legacy will continue to inspire and help so many.

    • Pat Locke on April 16, 2023 at 10:49 am

      One of his young sons was a patient of my dentist in WPB FL. We also met him in Olean NY when he had a car entered in the Great Race. His co-pilot on that car tour was our former FL neighbor in Key West Village located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Jupiter FL.
      RIP Mr. Dingman

  2. Jon Magarace on October 8, 2017 at 10:46 pm

    Sending my best Charlie. Obviously an important and admired man by many and your true friend.
    RIP Sir !!

  3. Matthew Mitchell on October 9, 2017 at 5:46 am

    What a giant of a man we have lost. My mentor and friend, rest in peace. His legacy will live on. Thanks for your contribution to my life and that of sooooo many other.

  4. Phil Bundy on October 12, 2017 at 1:07 pm

    Charlie: As one of the first student entrepreneurs at the Dingman Center, I was a direct benefifciary of Mike Dingman’s generosity. And due to him, I have known and learned from you for over 25 years. By the way, I really enjoyed reading your latest book: “Ready, Fire, Aim: An Immigrant’s Tales of Entrepreneurial Terror.”

  5. Kirkwood on May 19, 2018 at 11:31 pm

    I had a chance to work along side Mr Dingman in 1991 when he was building his third home in lyford cay. I was working for sybe construction Co. At the time. He was a nice person indeed. We would c him every day at the site because he was living next door. He would talk to the construction working every day.. He and I would always talk about his two 1979 converter Volkswagen beetle and much I love those csrs

  6. Linda Carol on November 28, 2018 at 8:18 pm

    I met Mike Ingman in 1983. He saved my life, kept me out jail..became my friend and mentor..because of him I started in Hollywood filmsm He was a great friend to me.

    • Linda Carol on December 4, 2018 at 8:39 pm

      Mike Dingman

      • Pat Locke on April 16, 2023 at 10:51 am

        One of his young sons was a patient of my dentist in WPB FL. We also met him in Olean NY when he had a car entered in the Great Race. His co-pilot on that car tour was our former FL neighbor in Key West Village located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Jupiter FL.
        RIP Mr. Dingman

  7. James Dingman on June 12, 2019 at 6:32 pm

    He was my Grandfather

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