Michael Uchytil
Michael Uchytil of Fairfield Glade, formerly of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2021 at the age of 82.
Michael was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on October 31, 1938, to Eleanor Jane and Emil Frank Uchytil. He grew up in Toledo, Iowa, and graduated from Tama-Toledo High School where he played football and basketball. During college, Michael was an intercollegiate billiards champion and later had the opportunity to play against the famous pool players Minnesota Fats and Willie Mosconi. In 1963, Michael graduated from the University of Iowa where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Following graduation, he moved to Illinois where he accepted a position with Barber-Green and Company, a manufacturer of road construction equipment in Aurora.
In 1970, Michael moved again with his young family to Chattanooga, to work for CMI Systems, another road equipment manufacturer. Shortly after, when CMI relocated its operations to Oklahoma, Michael became one of the founders of ASTEC Industries in Chattanooga with J. Don Brock and three others. He served as vice-president of International Sales & Operations. He traveled the world in this position and made many lifelong friends with customers, locally and abroad. Following retirement, Michael and his wife, Sherry, settled in Fairfield Glade, Tn., to relax and enjoy their home on the lake.
Michael was a longtime faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hixson, Tn., where he served on the Church Council as the building committee and lay reader. He was on the board of two homeowner associations and the president of the Boulder Hill Civic Association in Illinois. His ancestry traced to John Alden, leading to his membership at one time in the Mayflower Society. Michael was equally proud of his Czechoslovakian ancestry. His quote on Facebook said, “When I say I am a Christian, I’m not holier than thou. I’m just a simple sinner who through faith received God’s grace.”
Michael will be fondly remembered for his kindness, generosity, love of family, sense of humor, work ethic, and love of all things UT. May he rest in peace.
Michael is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Sherry; His devoted children, Stephen Uchytil, of Fairfield Glade and Julie Dobbins of Knoxville; grandson, Lukas Dobbins, of Knoxville; sister, Sheila (Dennis) Brindle of Newton, Iowa, as well as her children & grandchildren; step-children, Kilee, Kelby, Tony, and D.J. Reed; grandchildren, Grace, Sky, and Micah.
The family will receive friends at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2.
Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Reverend Wayland Stewart officiating . Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Fairfield Glade EMS, or to a charity of one’s choice in Michael’s memory.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorrthchapel.com.