John Stephen Utz

John Stephen Utz, 89, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, passed away on the morning of Monday, January 2, 2023 at his home in Virginia with his family close by. He was a veteran of the Korean War (service in 1950-51) and Vietnam War (service in 1965-66 and 1967-1968). Born on March 23, 1933 in Baltimore, Maryland, he was the son of John Bernard and Martha Theresa (Kawecki) Utz of Hanover, MD. He graduated from Glen Burnie High School in 1950, a member of the Whittling Club, National Honor Society, and Camera Club. Whomever penned his senior quote, captured his essence and the absolute truth about him: "A gentleman in all the word implies." John knew at an early age that he wanted to be in the military, in the Army. He enlisted and was assigned to conduct field surveys in Taegu, Korea, using available survey information documented by the Japanese. It was in Korea that he celebrated his 18th birthday. He often recalled climbing to elevated spots to assist artillery with targeting. These forays meant that he was in top notch physical shape. John’s journey to secure an appointment to West Point Military Academy was challenged by completed paperwork not yet mailed by his superiors, remote field locations of his survey assignments, and the on-going war. A conveniently timed ear infection found him transported to a medical unit near to where entry exams were scheduled. A notation on his exam scores alerted him of the need to locate his application, which was found pigeon-holed in a desk. With no news from West Point, John returned to the U.S. to spend Thanksgiving break with his parents, after which he boarded a military bus to return for duty. To his surprise, the military bus was stopped and boarded and he was informed that he had been accepted into West Point Prep. He subsequently joined the other hopeful candidates who had been studying since September. John graduated from West Point Military Academy, Class of 1956, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Military Science, one of three graduates who had served in the Korean War. His senior quote in the West Point Howitzer included this statement: “He won our friendship and our respect by his quiet manner and ready smile.” John enjoyed talking about his plebe year cross country running experiences and his role as coach during his senior year in leading his team to the regiment championship. He participated in extracurricular activities, including the Debate Council and Forum, Hop (formal dance) Committee all four years, Fencing Club, Pistol Club, Ordnance Club, and Russian Club. John met his eventual wife, Pat, during an exchange weekend at the U.S. Naval Academy. They were married on June 6, 1956, the day after graduation, at the West Point Catholic Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity. As John continued his military career, he and his family were stationed across the U.S. – Ft. Sill, OK; Camp Gary, TX; Ft. Rucker, AL; San Francisco, CA; Ft. Lewis, WA; Ft. Bliss, TX; Ft. Benning, GA; Ft. Belvoir, VA; Ft. Leavenworth, KS – and in Zirndorf and Furth, Germany. He completed fixed wing pilot training in 1958 and rotary wing pilot training in 1959. John proudly served his country in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966, a member of the 1st Calvary Division (Airmobile). He piloted AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters and UH-1 Huey helicopters, providing aerial reconnaissance and attack support, as well as resupply, medical care, and rescue assistance to ground troops. In addition to other aviation and service medals, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic actions demonstrated on February 23, 1966 to aid an infantry platoon pinned down and exposed to imminent destruction. His award announcement noted the following: “Although his aircraft was struck and damaged by enemy fire, Major Utz pressed the attack, distributing his rockets upon the enemy positions…. Throughout the engagement, Major Utz demonstrated outstanding aggressiveness and devotion to duty while under fire, which is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military services and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.” Following this tour, John was assigned to the U.S. Army Combat Developments Command (CDC). He returned to Vietnam in 1968 for a second tour serving with the 1st Aviation Brigade. This was followed by assignments with the Computer Systems Command (CSC), U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, a short stay with CDC again until its demise, and then a return to CSC. In 1971, he received an MSA degree in Information Technology from George Washington University. In 1977, John retired from the Army, ensuring that his family would remain in the Northern Virginia area and his children’s high school years would be completed in the Fairfax County Public School System. After his retirement from active duty, John brought his military software application testing experience to the civilian world, spending 7 years with BDM Corporation in McLean, VA; 9 years with GTE Government Systems, in Rockville, MD; and 5 years with Raytheon Service Company, headquartered in Washington, DC. To these companies, he provided program management experience, with particular expertise in financial management, computer systems development, and schedule management. While at Raytheon, he began and supported the change-over from main frame to personal computer-based program management systems before his full retirement. John was a member of Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, VA. He served on various association boards in communities where he lived and, with his wife, helped to coordinate various community activities. He also served on association boards for vacation rental properties in Ocean City, Maryland, where his family spent time during the summer enjoying the surf, sand, and most importantly Old Bay steamed blue crabs. He was the type of person who stopped frequently to assist people with flat tires on the roadside, including the wife of a ranked officer who gathered enough information from his uniform for her husband to circle back and offer thanks. John’s neighbors in Springfield benefited from the snow blower he prepped prior to each winter season and his willingness to help when asked. He was fond of German chocolate cake. Like his father, John had a knack for building and repairing, whether it be appliances, bikes, cars, lawn mowers, garage additions, home renovations, or squirrel-proof bird feeders. His children remember homemade skateboards, stilts, tree houses, and desks. He built and expanded a backyard pond where he raised Shubunkin (single-tailed goldfish) and spent time daily in solitude enjoying this restful setting. Although his plan was to restore a 1929 Chevrolet Coupe with original parts, other projects and responsibilities distracted him. He successfully rebuilt the car’s engine and chassis; yet, ultimately passed the car to a friend to complete the task. Together, he and his wife researched and worked to document their family’s genealogy, visiting churches and cemeteries, using on-line resources, and corresponding with relatives. He was a wonderful father, quietly guiding and serving as a role model for his children, reviewing math homework (insisting that pencil erasures were complete), attending various sports events, teaching his children to drive, coaching his son’s high school rifle team, serving as a Boy Scout committee chair, and playing badminton, basketball, and squash with family members. John also enjoyed sailing and camping with his family. He had a logical way of approaching problems and confidence that issues could be resolved. This extended to his love of the daily crossword and Sudoku puzzles in the Washington Post. Almost to the day he departed from this life, he had his trademark folded newspaper in front of him, pen in hand, and flannel shirt and white T-shirt on. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia Urban Utz, previously of Monongah, WV; his children John A. Utz (Diana) of Fredericksburg, VA, Jennifer Utz (Cindy) of Germantown, MD, Dee Utz of Bausman, PA, Elise Baker (Jeff) of Lancaster, PA, and Caryn Utz (Jonathan) of Staunton, VA; his sister, Gloria Anna Nussear; his grandchildren Juliana, Ryan, Hazel, August, and Abigail; and a number of nephews and nieces. Rest in peace, John; know that you will be fondly remembered. Facta Non-Verba (Deeds, Not Words) The funeral service will be held at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel, next to Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 8:45 AM. Military honors and internment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery. All visitors 16 years of age and older will need to present a valid photo identification. Visitors should report to Fort Myer at least one hour prior to the start of the service in order to go through security. If interested, tribute donations in John’s memory may be made to the Inova Schar Cancer Institute. Mail check to: Inova Health Foundation, 8095 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031.