by Asheville-Citizen Times Staff
Originally published 12 December 2010
WEAVERVILLE, NC – Michael Ochsenreiter, 57, died peacefully in his Weaverville home on December 8, 2010 after a long battle with heart disease. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Ribeiro Ochsenreiter, mother-in 
law, Janet Ribeiro, brother, Patrick Ochsenreiter, sister, Maggie Powell, cousin Butch Ochsenreiter and wife, Sandy of Asheville and maternal aunts, Barbara and Patsy Burgess of Charleston, SC. His father, Jack Ochsenreiter, mother, Marilyn Powell, brother, John Ochsenreiter, and step-father, William F. Powell preceded him in passing.
Mike attended Newton Elementary, David Millard, and Asheville High. He was an avid sportsman playing football, basketball, tennis, swimming, and acrobatic trampolining… He was so creatively health conscious in his early years that he used to run laps backwards on the UNC-A track. Music filled his life starting with his membership in the David Millard band as a drummer. Mike’s music library was extensive and his recall of album names and lyrics was phenomenal. Mike truly heard the beat of a different drummer. One could tell that The Muses visited him by his handwritten letters and poetry showing him to be a true Renaissance man. Mike had countless friends whom he kept in contact with on a regular basis. He liked playing the jokester because of the smiles generated on the faces of his many friends and family.
Michael graduated from UNC-A in 1980. In 2009, he was presented the Francine M. Delany Alumni Award for Service to the Community for his civilian career with the U.S. Air Force. A management major, Michael began his work as an information technology specialist for the Air Force soon after graduation. His 32-year career as a “career civilian” for the U.S. Air Force spans his early work supporting the F-15 Eagle program, and the then top-secret SR-71 “Blackbird” Program, to the United States Air Force Academy to his most recent post as deputy director of management systems at the Air Force Services Agency (AFSVA). The Management Systems Directorate manages communications and computer systems for all Air Force Services worldwide, as well as agency headquarters.
There will be no service but instead a gathering of friends and family after the holidays where those he loved, and loved him, will feel him and know he’s watching. Details will be posted on his Facebook page.
West Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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