1925-2002
Erling Uttech of Stevens Point died Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002, at Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah following an airplane accident in the Iola area.
Erling was born Nov. 16, 1925, in Merrill to the late Erich and Elsie (Bonke) Uttech. He was a graduate of Merrill High School.
He entered the U.S. Army in 1946. He served in Germany, Korea and Japan. He received an honorable discharge on March 21, 1953, as a master sergeant at Camp Carson, Colo. He received the Korean Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, two overseas service bars, the United Nations Service Medal and the Army Occupation Medal for Germany and Japan.
On July 8, 1950, Erling married Mathilde Pfeuffer in Badneustadt, Germany.
After military service, he settled in Merrill and worked for Merrill Manufacturing. He later joined the Wisconsin Telephone Company. He moved to Stevens Point in 1958 and retired from the phone company in 1987. After retirement, he ran a small sharpening business.
He enjoyed camping, especially at Madeline Lake Resort in the Woodruff area, and was a master gardener.
He was a member of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iola, the Experimental Aircraft Association and Ultra Lite Aircraft Club.
As an amateur radio operator, he was a member of the Central Wisconsin Radio Amateurs at UWSP and had been a member of the Rib Mountain Repeater Association in the early 1980's.
He is survived by a son, a daughter, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two brothers, one sister, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial has been established in his name.