I met Michael in Florence, and then at UCLA. From one side of the ocean to the other, we students admired his splendid English evoking the Platonic projects of the Renaissance philosophers. He was the co-supervisor for my PhD thesis, guiding me through the Ficinian secrets but most notably showing me how intelligence and grace could be combined. Unfortunately, for any other person learning those secretes is much easier than managing that balance. Around Michael, there was a diverse community, united by Renaissance and by him. Whenever he released a new work, he sometimes called us together with some ficinian expression: for istance, «conplatonici», like «brothers and sisters in Plato», despite he was the magister and we, undoubtedly, the alumni. Over time, I have come to realize how fortunate I was for that encounter: a man who was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also had a great sense of humor, wit, and elegance. The perfect incarnation of humanitas and humanities. Once, he wrote to me that each destiny brings its own pot of gold. The pot of Michael was massive and will continue to shine. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing and I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.