1934
Mr.
2010
Mr. Bert Utt
September 29, 1934 — May 30, 2010
Bert L. (Lee) Utt, 75, of Overland Park, KS, passed away on Sunday morning, May 30th, 2010. Visitation will be on June 14th from 2:30-4:00pm at The Church of the Resurrection in the Wesley Chapel, Leawood, KS. The memorial service will immediately follow at 4:00pm at the same location. A picnic will follow to celebrate his life at a location to be announced.
Lee was born on September 29th, 1934, in Decatur, IL to James and Marion Utt. He grew up in Decatur and graduated from Decatur High School. Lee was a scholarship athlete at Bradley University in both baseball and basketball, becoming team captain in both sports. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering. He earned the Watonga Award at Bradley in 1956, the highest honor the University bestows on a senior athlete for athletic and academic success. He was a Bradley outstanding athlete in 1954-55, Bradley basketball MVP in 1954-55 and 1955-56, Bradley baseball MVP in 1956, and a national All-American baseball player in 1956. Lee was a member of the 1954 Bradley basketball team that finished 2nd in the NCAA national championship tournament. He was a member of the 1956 baseball team that finished 3rd in the College World Series. Lee played professional baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, retiring at the AAA level to start his engineering career. He was a lifelong member of the Bradley B-Club. Lee was inducted in the Bradley University Hall of Fame and the Greater Peoria Hall of Fame for both baseball and basketball. Lee managed several teams at Johnson County 3&2 Baseball for over 20 years. Lee was a civil engineer for the FAA retiring in 2002.
Lee is best known for his kindness, generosity, competitive spirit, humility, and wit, but most of all, his very strong sense of family and friendship. He was a very special man who always had his priorities in order.
Lee is survived by his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Ruthe; son Scott and wife Sheri with grandkids Michael and Kevin; daughter Susan and husband Elliott Glass with grandkids James and Sarah; son James and fiancé Dianna Smith with grandkids Lily and Maddie; Lily’s mom Lisa; sister Sharon White and husband Charles; niece Leigh Trail and husband David with son Cameron; and niece Lynne White Shim and husband Edward with son Will.
The family would like to thank Dr. Hugh McCaughey and his staff and the Menorah Hospital staff for their caring dedication.
Dad- Mom and your kids are so proud of you and the life that you lived. We love you and you’ll always be with us.
Memorial contributions may be made to Johnson County 3&2 Baseball c/o Lee Utt, PO Box 14011, Lenexa, KS 66285.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com
(Arr: D.W. Newcomer’s Sons, Johnson County Chapel, 913-451-1860)
Lee was born on September 29th, 1934, in Decatur, IL to James and Marion Utt. He grew up in Decatur and graduated from Decatur High School. Lee was a scholarship athlete at Bradley University in both baseball and basketball, becoming team captain in both sports. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering. He earned the Watonga Award at Bradley in 1956, the highest honor the University bestows on a senior athlete for athletic and academic success. He was a Bradley outstanding athlete in 1954-55, Bradley basketball MVP in 1954-55 and 1955-56, Bradley baseball MVP in 1956, and a national All-American baseball player in 1956. Lee was a member of the 1954 Bradley basketball team that finished 2nd in the NCAA national championship tournament. He was a member of the 1956 baseball team that finished 3rd in the College World Series. Lee played professional baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, retiring at the AAA level to start his engineering career. He was a lifelong member of the Bradley B-Club. Lee was inducted in the Bradley University Hall of Fame and the Greater Peoria Hall of Fame for both baseball and basketball. Lee managed several teams at Johnson County 3&2 Baseball for over 20 years. Lee was a civil engineer for the FAA retiring in 2002.
Lee is best known for his kindness, generosity, competitive spirit, humility, and wit, but most of all, his very strong sense of family and friendship. He was a very special man who always had his priorities in order.
Lee is survived by his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Ruthe; son Scott and wife Sheri with grandkids Michael and Kevin; daughter Susan and husband Elliott Glass with grandkids James and Sarah; son James and fiancé Dianna Smith with grandkids Lily and Maddie; Lily’s mom Lisa; sister Sharon White and husband Charles; niece Leigh Trail and husband David with son Cameron; and niece Lynne White Shim and husband Edward with son Will.
The family would like to thank Dr. Hugh McCaughey and his staff and the Menorah Hospital staff for their caring dedication.
Dad- Mom and your kids are so proud of you and the life that you lived. We love you and you’ll always be with us.
Memorial contributions may be made to Johnson County 3&2 Baseball c/o Lee Utt, PO Box 14011, Lenexa, KS 66285.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com
(Arr: D.W. Newcomer’s Sons, Johnson County Chapel, 913-451-1860)
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