Michael Kochmann

Michael Kochmann (Mike), 63, of Oviedo, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on December 10, 2025.

Born October 5, 1962, in Moorhead, Minnesota, Mike was raised on Ottertail Lake-a place that shaped his lifelong love of water, community, and the outdoors. He was the son of Charles "Chuck" Kochmann and Mary Ellingson Gray, and he carried those Midwestern values of kindness, curiosity, and connection with him wherever life took him.

Mike attended Arizona State University and completed his education at the University of Central Florida. In 1993, he and his wife, Tracy Kochmann, built their home on Long Lake in Oviedo, Florida, where they raised their son, Lance Kochmann.

Mike's career began as a safety engineer at NASA and evolved into work within the simulation industry, where he played a key role in developing and managing complex training and aviation systems. Many of his projects provided support for the U.S. Army. His last 15 years with Rockwell Collins were spent as a Program Manager. He retired in May of 2022, proud of a career that took him around the world-traveling to South Korea, Turkey, Canada, Germany, and throughout the United States. Germany held a special place in his heart, and he loved discovering new places, meeting people, and bringing stories home with him.

Retirement simply gave Mike more time to do what he loved. He tackled home projects with enthusiasm, spent summers at the family cabin in Wisconsin, and was happiest on the water, walking the dog, and spending time with Tracy and Lance. His neighborhood walks were rarely quick. He had a way of talking to everyone along the way, always genuinely interested in what was happening in their lives.

When Lance was born in 2005, Mike embraced fatherhood wholeheartedly. He was deeply involved in Lance's activities in many sports, including swimming and water polo, water sports, and Boy Scouts. Whether behind the camera capturing memories or right beside his son learning something new, Mike was always present. Their shared love of water defined their relationship-especially skiing. Mike taught Lance to ski, trained him to drive the boat, and together built an 8 foot boat through the SCAMPY program. He devoted countless volunteer hours mentoring young Scouts in the Boy Scout program and took great pride in supporting Lance-along with many other youth-on their journeys, including Lance's achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout, a milestone memory that will be forever cherished.

Mike's passion for water sports, which began in his childhood, was legendary and remained a constant throughout his life. He spent countless hours on the lake slalom skiing and teaching others to appreciate life on the water. His patience, encouragement, and boundless enthusiasm made learning fun, and no one celebrated louder than Mike when someone finally stood up on the water.

Above all else, Mike was a connector. When he met a stranger, they always became his friend. He built lasting friendships, and was always there to lend a helping hand. He had a gift for making people feel valued, heard, and supported, and he cheered on everyone he knew in their personal journeys.

Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents and his father, Chuck Kochmann. He is survived by his mother, Mary Gray of Elk River, MN; his wife, Tracy, and son, Lance of Oviedo, FL; brothers Rob and Chris of Phoenix, AZ and Charlie of Monticello, MN. He leaves behind nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and in-laws across the country, and a wide circle of friends who were family in every sense and will miss him dearly.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the SCAMPY Program https://acbs-sunnyland.org/SCAMPY-donations/ or your local Scout Troop.

The church service will be held on Monday January 5th, 2026, visitation is at 11-11:45 am, funeral mass is at 12 pm, and reception will be from 1-3 pm. All at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 113 Lockwood Blvd. Oviedo, FL 32765.