John Uchtman
John Uchtman
John Uchtman
August 12, 1946 – October 29, 2026
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 80
John “The Teacher” Uchtman passed away on October 29, 2026, at age 80, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House. He was born on August 12, 1946, in Cincinnati, OH, to Paul Francis Uchtman and Ethel Bender Uchtman.
After several years in Cincinnati, the family moved to Humphrey, NE, where John grew up active in swimming, baseball, football, basketball, and track. In addition, he loved music and played bass guitar in a rock band. He attended St. Francis schools through eighth grade and graduated from Humphrey High School as Salutatorian in 1964.
John attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE, from 1964 to 1968 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.
It was at UNL that he met his wife of 57 years, Sally Jane Hahn. On June 29, 1968, he and Sally married.
John was then recruited and took a job in August 1968 at Oskaloosa High School in Oskaloosa, IA. He taught Biology, Driver’s Education, Physical Education and Health and coached football and track, producing multiple Conference and All-State athletes in the two sports and coaching State Champions and Drake Relays Champions in the weight events in track. John also was the official scorer for the Oskaloosa High School basketball team and ran the scoreboard for football once his football coaching career ended.
After 33 years, John retired from Oskaloosa Public Schools in 2001. However, at heart he was still “The Teacher”, so he taught Driver’s Education and coached track briefly at William Penn University, while continuing to be the official scorer for Oskaloosa High School basketball for another 17 years, finally retiring from that service in 2018.
John’s favorite hobby was motorcycling, and his Harley-Davidson was by far his favorite possession. He was a founding member of District 14 Abate Iowa and active in that organization for over 40 years, serving in multiple officer positions. He enjoyed riding and attended rallies all over the country. He combined riding and his love of music to book bands for ABATE, RAGBRAI, and other events he attended.
John and Sally shared a love of animals and were active in the Humane Society throughout their lives. John served as the President of the Mahaska Humane Society and was the Chairman of the Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter when it was built in the 80’s. He and Sally loved their cats and rescued a good number of them throughout their 57-year marriage.
John is survived by his brothers Jim (Phyllis) Uchtman of Elkhorn, NE, and Jeff (Lynette) Uchtman of Columbus, NE; brother-in-law Rob (& Marilyn) Hahn of Lincoln, NE; nieces: Rebecca Uchtman, Amanda Goods, and Elizabeth Uchtman; nephews: Rob (& Bev) Uchtman and Taylor (& Katie) Uchtman; great-niece, Ava Uchtman; and great-nephews: Alex Uchtman, Isaiah Goods, and Oliver Uchtman.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ethel Uchtman, and his wife, Sally Uchtman.
Memorial services for John will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ in Oskaloosa, with Pastor Melissa Sternhagen officiating.
Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel, with the family present from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. to greet relatives and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter or the St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ.
