‘Always smiling.’ Joyful father of two Michael Altman died in Surfside collapse
Michael David Altman was born in Costa Rica, but moved to the United States with his parents when he was around 4 years old, his son Nicholas said.
“He was a warm man. He conquered a lot of obstacles in his life, and always came out on top,” Nicholas said. “He always inspired my brother and I to be successful in life.”
Altman, 50, is among the 78 people confirmed to have died in the June 24 collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium building in Surfside. His body was found Monday, June 28.
Nicholas Altman, 23, lives in Boca Raton with his brother, Jeffrey, 22. They are both college students.
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Nicholas told the Miami Herald that his father was a “very loving guy. Always smiling. He was very fun and loved to tell jokes.”
Michael Altman was an accountant who lived in the 1101 unit of the Champlain Towers South building for more than six years. The condo unit has been in the family since the 1980s, Nicholas said. He was a dual citizen of the United States and Costa Rica, his son said.
Michael is also survived by his parents, Anita and Alan Altman, who are both in their 70s, as well as his sister, Debbie Altman, Nicholas said.
“He was a great father, and a great son to my grandparents,” Nicholas said.
This story was originally published June 29, 2021 at 7:05 PM.
