Dr. Michael Harbut, a resident of Huntington Woods, Michigan, died on August 31st, 2026 at the age of 75. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel.

Location of Service:

Graveside

Date of Service:

Tuesday September 1st, 2026

Time of Service:

3:00 PM  

Interment at:

Clover Hill Park, 2425 E 14 Mile Rd, Birmingham, MI

Officiant:

Rabbi Michael Moskowitz  

Shiva Information:

The family will be sitting following the interment until 5:00PM in the Clover Hill Park Cemetery Shiva Center. Shiva will then continue through Thursday evening at the residence: 13314 Hart Ave. Huntington Woods MI 48070 Phone: (727) 641-4266.

Religious services will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00PM.  
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Charitable contributions:

Temple Shir Shalom
3999 Walnut Lake Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48323
Phone: (248) 737-8700

or
The American Lung Association
1475 E. 12 Mile Rd.
Madison Hts., MI 48071
Phone: (248) 784-2000.  

Family Members:

Dr Michael Harbut was a humanitarian and a hero. He spent his life and career caring for marginalized communities and peoples and giving voice to those who had none. Most of all he was humble and never wanted or desired any accolades although there were many. He started as a construction worker and found a way to become a physician getting in his undergraduate degree in Poland and then on to medical school. He chose a career in the diagnosis of treatment of enviornmental and workplace diseases . His expertise was in lung diseases such as asbestosis, silicosis, Black lung disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, disease related to breast implants, mold exposure, lead and arnesic poisioning, agent orange exposure just to name a few.

He served as the chief medical advisor to Poland Solidarity Union during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Dr. Harbut worked as a consultant and chief medical advisor for Poland's Solidarity (Solidarno??) Union, helping address occupational and environmental health challenges faced by Polish workers. He traveled to Poland as part of U.S. delegations to coordinate health initiatives and address blockages of U.S.-funded medical supplies caused by bureaucratic and official delays. Dr Harbut was the only Western physician invited by the then led Lenigrad Mayor Boris Yeltsin to participate in the 1990 Human Rights Conference held in that city shortly before the fall of the Soviet Regime.

In 1994 during the Rewandese Genocide he was the Medical Director of the US Sector of the Kibumba Refugee Camp at Goma, Zaire. The death rate in the part of the camp under Dr. Harbut’s care was 1/3 that of the remainder of the camp.

He testified in front of the United States Senate and was invited to present at the White House on the diagnosis and treatment of asbestosis. Among his interest/publication are the development of lung cancer/ mesothelioma/ asbestosis biomarkers and diagnostic modalities.

He was the co-author of the world’s largest study of respiratory health in asbestos- exposed ironworkers, and co authored of the American Thoracic Society’s 2004 Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Malignant Disease caused by Asbestos Exposure. He published the probable cause of pleuritic pain in asbestos-exposed patients; the probable cause of (platinum salts) of allergic responses and other disease process in women with silicone gel breast implants;

May your life be a blessing. May all that those you trained and knew go on to continue your humanitarian efforts.

Beloved husband of Marianne Azneer-Harbut. Dear father of Mike (Alison) Harbut, Andrew (Thuvan) Harbut, Rachel Harbut, Elijah Harbut, Daniel Azneer and the late Micah Azneer. Loving grandfather of Lachlan Harbut and Rionaugh Harbut. Devoted brother of Shirley (Ken) Bayles and Susan (Jeff) Burek. Also survived by many other loving nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.  

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