Michael Richard Sharpsten, 62, of Pullman, Washington, passed away February 23, 2018 at his Pullman home. Michael was born Oct. 21, 1955 in Massena, New York to Richard and Doris (Burnell ) Sharpsten. He grew up in Massena, New York where he graduated high school before beginning his college studies in Plattsburgh. He received his BA in Chemistry from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1977. Michael completed his PhD in Chemistry at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT in 1986. He married Linda Gulick and together they had three children. The couple divorced in 2013. Having moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, Michael had a 25 year career as a chemist for a government nuclear plant. He completed training for the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons during this time. He later briefly worked at Hanford's Plutonium Finishing Plant. He was a lifetime member of the American Chemical Society.

Michael was an avid reader, an enthusiastic bridge player, and tolerated white water rafting as long as there was beer and he could fish. He enjoyed cooking and was well known for his spaghetti and meatballs. He even had the ability to cook rocks which oddly always tasted like baked beans. He excelled at trick-or-treating although often got lost on his way home. He was a caring father and grandfather, and always encouraged his children and grandchildren to learn and have fun.

He is survived by three children Kevin (Lucie) Sharpsten, Anna (Dan) Raensteam, and Renee (Alejandro Cedillos) Sharpsten; three grandchildren Gabriel, Sienna, Zoie, with one on the way; his parents; one sister Paula Marlow & two brothers Eric and Christopher Sharpsten. Michael was preceded in death by one sister Karen Hamel and by his beloved dog Petra. Kimball Funeral Home and Crematory has been trusted with the arrangements. In accordance with Michael's wishes, a funeral/memorial service is not planned.