In Memory of Our Beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather
Michael Vinogradov-Nurenberg
* May 16, 1958
+ June 2, 2026

Michael Vinogradov-Nurenberg, 68, of Sunnyvale, CA passed away on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, followed by the funeral service at 3:00 PM, at the Spangler Mortuary in Sunnyvale, CA. He will be laid to rest in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Michael was born on May 16, 1958 in Moscow, Russia. He graduated with a Master’s Degree and with honors from the National Research University of Electronic Technology (MIET) located in Moscow, and it was there that he met his beloved wife, Tatyana Vinogradov-Nurenberg – a relationship that had blossomed into a life-long loving relationship that lasted 43 years. Together they had given life to two children – their daughter Katerina Sigmund and their son Nikolai Vinogradov-Nurenberg.

Michael was very dedicated to his work, taking the world of engineering by storm immediately upon graduation. In his free time, he and his wife were active members of a cycling community, spending most of their free time outdoors, traversing the length and breadth of the Soviet Union and beyond on their bikes, hosting many social gatherings and always having a place to stay for friends in need.

In 1996, as times in Russia became more turbulent and unstable, Michael along with his wife Tatyana made the monumental decision to relocate to California. They uprooted their entire existence and relocate to the Bay Area to build a new life. They arrived with a couple of suitcases and their entire family collection of books, packed into 10 giant Chinatown totes. From that moment on, the Bay Area, and specifically Sunnyvale, became Michael’s home, roots and life.

In his new home, Michael quickly found his field of interest, pioneering the field of tribology with his innovations, genius and unrelenting hard work and dedication. In 2012, just over 15 years after arriving in the US, Michael entered into the world of business, creating what is now one of the biggest companies in the field of tribology, along with his two closest partners. His company created and innovated technologies that help research, development and production across multiple fields all over the entire world. His unrelenting work ethic kept him going even through the toughest moments of his illness, becoming both his motivator and his distraction through the pain.

Yet his world was not just about work, and his purpose was and has always been his family – his wife, children and granddaughter. He was a very quiet and private person, yet his presence - whether at the family dinner table, during social gatherings or business meetings – has always been that of peace and stability. He was not a talker, but he was always there to listen, to support and to share a moment of comfortable silence when needed. In the US, he switched his passion from cycling to hiking, conquering hills and mountains from Bay Area to Mtn. Charleston to Macchu Picchu. He dearly loved to read, favoring science fiction or fantasy genres, spending hours deep into the night reading novel and novel from his electronic reader. And he loved humor – not crude slapstick comedy, but subtle, intelligent humor. And cat memes. He loved any and all videos with cats and dogs, almost as much as he loved the animals themselves. He had a passion for music, especially old Russian rock bands and songs with witty observational satire. He was a multi-faceted man who cared quietly but deeply for his friends and his family, who brought a lot of joy to so many people and who will be terribly missed by all.

In March 2025, Michael was unexpectedly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, discovered when it has already metastasized to stage IV. He fought the disease with all his strength, drawing his power from his family, closest friends and powerful dedication to his work. He succumbed to his illness on June 2, 2026 at El Camino Hospital.

Michael leaves behind his beloved wife of 43 years, Tatyana, his daughter Katerina, his son Nikolai, and his cherished granddaughter Maya, along with countless friends, colleagues, and loved ones whose lives were enriched by his kindness, wisdom, humor, and quiet strength.

Though his voice is now silent, his presence remains—in the family he built, the friendships he nurtured, the work he loved, and the memories he leaves behind. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in our hearts.

 Michael’s family wishes to thank all his friends, co-workers, his team of care professionals for their support, help and dedication through this difficult time.