Mike Bik, the ‘Old Gaucho,’ leads graduates into the Commencement Ceremony at El Capitan High School in 2023.
A tribute to Mike Bik that appeared on the El Capitan High School social media pages. At right, Bik is seen wearing a football jersey with his old number used when he played for the team back in the early 1960s. The school later retired the jersey number in his honor. They also created a sportsmanship award for students in his honor.
Michael John Bik, affectionately known as the ‘Old Gaucho’ to thousands of past and present students of El Capitan High School, passed away peacefully at his home on Nov. 1. He was 80 years old.
Bik was an alumnus of the original El Capitan (1959-1962) located on the current Merced High School campus. He was a member of the football team and the first graduating class before the school was combined with Merced High and lost its name.
A half century later, Bik worked relentlessly in getting the city’s newest high school named El Capitan. His wish was fulfilled in 2013 when the new “El Cap” opened along G Street in north Merced. The local school district chose to honor the original campus and alumni, and the school colors of powder blue, black and a touch of gold were resurrected along with the original mascot: the gaucho.
From there, Bik worked tirelessly to promote El Capitan in the community as he became a fixture both on campus and at school-related events, often dressed in a “Old Gaucho” costume. He was also featured at commencement ceremonies where he would lead graduates in the opening procession and then take a seat on stage with academic leaders. He was also known for the little things that made a big difference. Things like inviting the American Legion Color Guard to present colors before the home games on campus.
Bik would also become a frequent visitor to the Merced County Times office in downtown Merced where he would pitch stories about El Capitan sports teams and campus happenings. Many times he would submit the stories and photos himself, slanting the Times coverage of local high schools much to the favor of El Capitan.
In fact, just a couple days before his passing, Bik was in Times office submitting several short stories, along with photos, about El Cap’s undefeated Girls Volleyball Team, El Cap’s Boys Golf Team champions, El Cap’s Cheer champions, and El Cap’s nationally recognized FFA students.
When asked about his next big goal for the school, Bik replied that he wanted to help with the fundraising effort to acquire a nice scoreboard for the new football stadium that is being built on campus. The $10 million stadium, which will have a seating capacity of 3,200, is scheduled to be completed by September of next year.
That day, Bik also talked about writing a regular column for the Times before he left saying he was going to catch a volleyball game on campus. He was also planning to hand out commemorative pins to football players at the annual end-of-season dinner that was held on Nov. 1. Sadly, he never made it. He was found resting peacefully in his recliner at home, according to relatives. There were also four pumpkin pies in his refrigerator that apparently he was going to bring to the football dinner.
“My Dad was an amazing man,” said his daughter Stacey Metcalf. “He was fun, and gave the best advice. He and Mom were my biggest fans. He always had our backs. He was a caring grandfather. His granddaughter Brooke loved him so much. She wished they had someone at their high school, just like El Capitan had the Old Gaucho. My Dad will be so missed by his family.”
Bik was eternally devoted to Susan, his wife of 57 years. After she died in 2022, Bik visited the Times with tears in his eyes and dedicated a newspaper sponsorship in her memory.
In other areas of life, Bik was also an active member of the Historical Society in Merced, and served as President and Vice President of the organization. He was the author of “Bik’s Picks: Mid-century Merced Revisited.” He also received Society’s prestigious Heacox Pioneer award.
“Mike Bik was a beloved member of our museum family,” said Sarah Lim, the director of the Merced County Courthouse Museum. “His kindness, loyalty, dedication, and generosity will be remembered, and so will his leadership in the Historical Society and his knowledge of Merced’s history. Mike documented Merced’s history with the publication of Bik’s Picks, preserved the memories of his alma mater by naming the newest high school El Capitan, and promoted the Courthouse Museum with his hard work in the community. We honor his legacy by following in his footsteps.”
Obituary
Born in Turlock in 1944, Mike Bik moved to Merced with his family around 1953 when he was 9 years old. Later, he attended El Capitan High School and was in the first graduating class.
He remained in Merced until graduating from Merced College and was among the first class to do so there.
After Merced College, Mike joined the U.S. Army serving at Ft. Evans and Berlin, Germany, attaining the rank of SPC 5.
After serving out his enlistment, he along with his wife, and infant daughter moved to Fresno. So that Mike could finish his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Criminology. Mike’s first position was internal inspection at the IRS facility in Fresno. He subsequently moved to San Francisco as Assistant Regional Inspector of the Western division of the United States. In Atlanta, Georgia as Regional Inspector of the Southeastern region of the United States. He was a GM-15 when he retired.
After retirement, Mike and his wife Susan returned to Merced. Mike became involved in helping care for his mother, Gloria Watkins, and Susan’s parents, Joe and Cynthia Brooks.
In addition to being a member and leader in the Merced County Historical Society, Mike also helped the United Women’s Methodist Church with their estate sales.
Mike will be best remembered for being a friend to so many, a loving grandfather to his granddaughter Brooke and loving father to his daughter, Stacey. And adoring and dedicated husband of 57 years to his wife, Susan A. Bik (Brooks), who predeceased him.
Mike is survived by his daughter Stacey Renee Bik, his granddaughter, Brooke Cynthia Metcalf. His sister Vicki Mineni, and brother Karl (Doc) Bik. His brother Jim Bik predeceased him. His nieces and nephews: Jenine (Gary) Maxwell, Lisa Dodge, Michelle Mineni, Cindy Chait, Cody Bik, Jon (Thea) Bik, and many great nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring of 2025. More information will be forthcoming.