Anthony (Tony) J. Utschig age 73 of Appleton, WI passed away peacefully on August 14, 2024, at his home in Mesa, AZ. Anthony was diagnosed with severe stage 4 metastatic cancer back in December, 2022. Anthony was born on November 22, 1950, in Appleton, the son of the late Glenn and Delores Utschig. He attended and graduated from Xavier High School. Anthony attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison for two years and UW-Oshkosh for two years. After college he went to work for the Oneida Nation and eventually became their Administrator in charge of government and business operations for three years in his early 30’s. During those years, the Oneida Nation had up to 540 employees and had a reputation as possibly the most progressive Indian Tribe in the country.
He also was an Appleton City Alderman for five years in his late 20’s. Later at the age of 35, Anthony went back to the University of Wisconsin Law School, getting a Juris Doctorate in 1988.
Anthony then went to work for the law firm, Bollenbeck, Block, Seymour, Rowland and Samson. After two years there, Tony, along with Ed & Rick Bollenbeck and Dick Rowland parted ways with the firm and formed a new law firm: Bollenbeck, Rowland & Utschig with the four of them being equal owners and full partners. Within two years after forming this new firm, Tony restricted his practice to plaintiff personal injury, along with about 5% of his work being applicant worker’s compensation cases. Tony was a member of this firm until 1999 when he decided to open his own private practice doing personal injury law only, which allowed him to spend much of his winters in Arizona.
Tony was a very loving and compassionate person. He treated everyone equally and did his best to help out anyone that needed a little advice. He was a great listener and gave good advice. He was a great guy who would often give other golfers advice, whenever asked. He was a wonderful husband/father/grandfather. He had a heart of GOLD.
In September of 1988, 36 years ago, Tony met the love of his life, Hope (Ritchie) at a place called the Four Torches and the rest is history. Hope took care of Tony, helping him recover from the many surgeries and illnesses that he experienced during his last twelve years. She was his solid rock that he could rely upon to handle most of the situations that came about. They both enjoyed their time in Arizona, golfing and just taking time for themselves, which back in Wisconsin was difficult. Wisconsin was a lot more stressful, due to both Tony and Hope having very time consuming and complex schedules: practicing law; managing 72 units of rental housing; and helping raise two of their grandchildren.
Hope’s daughter, Sheila, has two sons, Wyatt and Weston. They were the two boys that Tony never had. Tony stepped into the role as the boys’ sole father figure when they were two and four years old. They were together almost every day. He taught the boys how to play baseball, football, basketball, bowl, and golf, at the same time teaching them valuable lessons of life. He went to many of their tournaments, with everyone really enjoying the times spent together. The boys kept both Hope and Tony young at heart.
Tony always maintained a close relationship with his daughter, Angela, which continued when she moved to Pewaukee after college. They spoke frequently about topics like: political issues, health issues and doing the right thing in handling daily life.
Tony also enjoyed watching the Milwaukee Bucks, Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers and Milwaukee Brewers. His real love was for the Milwaukee Bucks, sharing season tickets for several years in the mid 1990’s. He and Tom Putzer loved watching these games together and being co-sports commentators. Tony enjoyed the many texts sent back and forth during the games, especially the Milwaukee Bucks. Tom would even drive up from the Racine area many times, just to watch games together and share their thoughts about life. They shared a very special friendship.
During his last two years alive, Tony formed a special friendship with Rick Martin, playing a lot of golf and sharing time together.
Anthony is survived by his wife Hope; daughters, Amy Putzer, and grandson Lofton Putzer; Angela Utschig (Jason) and grandchildren: Bobby Dieringer; and Demi (Sam) Dembiec and great-grandchildren, Asher & Haven; step-daughter, Sheila Beyer and grandchildren, Wyatt and Weston; son-in-law Tom (Anchalee)Putzer son Lofton and grandson Zachary. Tony is survived by one sister, Laurie (Steve) Schimmers; two brothers, John Utschig and Allen Utschig; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Delores Utschig; a sister Mary Wegner, many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A special thanks is given to Dr. Christopher Sipple, M.D., for all of his thoughtfulness and expertise caring for Tony, especially in his later years.
A Celebration of Tony's life will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott Appleton - Riverfront, located at 191 Riverheath Way on Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM.
As Tony would way when guests came over, "Bar's Open!"
