Eugene George Muhich

Eugene G Muhich (“Gene”), 95, of Centennial, Co, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2025.

Born to John and Mary (Mihelich) Muhich April 21, 1930, Gene grew up in Eveleth, Minnesota on the Iron Range during the Great Depression. He had four brothers, John, Jim, Louie, and George, who died as a baby. The life long bond between the remaining four brothers was strong and true.

Gene is survived by his wife of sixty years, Maureen Meier Muhich, of Waukesha, WI. Also surviving are two sons, Mark, 55, and Barry, 53. The oldest child, daughter Carol Ann, died in 2001 at age 34. Gene’s grandchildren are Milton and Kevin (children of Mark and Denise) and Maggie and PJ (children of Barry and Nancy). Gene is also survived by his brother, Louis Muhich. Over the last forty-five years, Gene’s residence has been 6443 S Newport Ct, Centennial, CO.

Drafted during his junior year in college, Gene served in the US Army, during the Korean War, as a Battalion Sergeant Major. His superior's final words to Gene were, “You’re a good soldier, Sargent Muhich.” After returning home, Gene earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota. He went on to build a distinguished career with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), choosing public service over more lucrative private-sector opportunities because he believed deeply in contributing to his country and the common good.

He began, as all new FHWA engineers did, by completing the required three year training program for new highway engineers, working in several states. The next six years were spent in the training branch, where he recruited and trained well over one hundred engineers from all over the country to build the interstate highway system. He related that at the time there was nothing else he’d rather be doing; Gene loved his work.

The next three years were spent at Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (Waukesha, WI.) for specialized training in urban transportation planning. Near the end of that assignment, Gene married the love of his life, Maureen Genevieve Meier. Together they moved to Denver, CO where Gene spent ten years in the regional FHWA office coordinating interstate highway planning in cities over a four state area. During this time he and Maureen were blessed with and parented three wonderful children. He delighted in gardening, cooking, camping, fishing, and entertaining friends. Together they built a life grounded in faith, family, and community.

In fall, 1975, Gene took a training position with an FHWA mission to Iran’s highway building effort. It was a difficult assignment for all of the twelve or so members of the mission. It collapsed as the Iranian “revolution” began. The Shah fell eighteen months later. We were glad to be back on US soil in summer 1977. Gene then spent three years in FHWA’s regional Homewood, Illinois office, again in urban transportation planning, of course. This was his last federal assignment as he then retired from the government. He and family moved back to Denver, where he took a position with URS Engineers. The company received a national award for an interstate highway exit/bridge which Gene managed.

Following this, Gene and Maureen joined the NeoCatechuminal Way, a charism in the Catholic Church. Its emphasis is small groups, spiritual growth, and spreading Christianity. Joining in 1990, Gene thrived in this pursuit for the next thirty-five years. This journey took him to many states and countries affording them the chance to travel, a pastime Gene loved.

He had an adventurous palate, loved to cook, and insisted on a salad with every meal. He adored opera and classical music, and he often joked about dancing the polka on the table. Even into his 80s and 90s, when asked how he was doing, Gene would grin and respond, “Not bad for a young fella.” He blessed others freely and often, offering both the Jewish father’s blessing and traditional Christian blessings in a voice full of sincerity. One of the unexpected joys of his later years was discovering Uber and Lyft—he returned from every trip with stories of the people he had met.

Gene lived a long life marked by faith, humor, service, and love. His presence, his blessings, and the joy he brought to others will be deeply missed.