Michael Heinrich Pittelko, passed peacefully in his sleep on November 3, 2021, at the home he shared with his wife and daughter. In his battle with colon cancer, Mike often turned to the family motto: coming unstuck is not the same as coming unglued. As we mourn his passing, he would want us all to remember those words.

Mike was born on October 29, 1970 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As a kid Mike loved to take things apart and put them back together; he wanted to know how everything worked. Curious and observant—he was energized by a constant desire to learn.

Mike studied computer engineering at Iowa State University. He had always been good at building physical objects. Learning how to transfer those skills to systems on a computer was an exciting challenge—and Mike excelled.

After college he moved to Chicago for a job with Motorola. It was meeting the team behind XIOtech, several years later, that accelerated his career. The partners recognized something special in Mike, and he worked for them as the company grew. Eventually they sold to Seagate. Next was Compellent, where again Mike started with them early and played a key role in the growth and eventual acquisition by Dell. After he was laid off by Dell (their loss), he was snatched up by HPE Cray Supercomputers, where he worked well into his illness.

Mike loved to work. There was always more to learn, more to build, more to do—and staying at the cutting edge of his field gave him a great sense of joy and accomplishment.

In 2004, Mike’s friends set him up on a blind date with Tara Mucha. The two met at a steakhouse in a suburb of Minneapolis. She arrived in style, rocking white jeans and a cowhide jacket. Unfortunately, the restaurant just so happened to be shaped like a barn—and Tara, dressed like a cow. The two of them would later find those details quite hilarious. But those details didn’t matter much in the moment; the two of them fell for each other quickly and completely.

They were married in a St. Paul chapel with the St. John’s Boys Choir singing Ubi caritas as Tara processed down the aisle. After the ceremony, the boys changed into tuxedos and performed a show tunes medley as everyone enjoyed afternoon tea. Mike and Tara took their honeymoon at Canoe Bay, a peaceful resort set amongst a hardwood forest in northern Wisconsin, and that honeymoon never really ended. On that first visit, they vowed to visit Canoe Bay to celebrate their honeymoon every year, and they did. Cozy dinners at the wine bar were their favorite.

Mike was an introvert who was quiet and closed off at times. But with loved ones—especially with his wife and daughter—he was endlessly generous with his love, his support, and his wisdom. Mike loved to see Tara in her element, talking about wine with sommeliers. He adored watching his daughter, Petra, play her instruments. He was so proud, whenever he was in the presence of Tara or Petra being the truest versions of themselves.

Fatherhood wasn’t always in the plan for Mike. But his life changed in the best ways when Petra was born, and being a father became his most cherished role. Petra’s name was inspired by one of Mike’s favorite books, Ender's Game. He would eventually share his love of science fiction with his daughter; the two would read books together and then talk about all of the fantastical twists and turns. 

Mike never stopped building things. Even when most of his work was on the computer, he found projects to keep his hands busy, like building a Van’s RV-7A plane with his dad and a friend, and crafting metal figurines for the family’s favorite board game, Settlers of Catan.

Mike will be remembered for his sharp sense of humor and his brilliance; the generosity and love he devoted to his family; and his commitment to curiosity and learning. In his passing, he would want us to embrace the mysteries of the universe, to choose curiosity over skepticism, and to smile whenever we remember him.

Mike is survived by his wife, Tara, and daughter, Petra; his mother, Judy Pittelkow; his sister Sarah Pelinka, brother-in-law Tom, and nephew Alex; his father-in-law Joe Mucha

and mother-in-law Kathy Mucha; Loryn (Mucha) and Mike Follrath; Dana Mucha and Greg Worm; Gracyn, Joe and John Follrath, and Max and Ben Mucha Worm.

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Pittelkow, and beloved dog, Korbin.

 
A Wake will be held on Thursday, November 11th from 5:30pm - 8:30pm at the Pittelko Home: 460 Liberty Heights Drive, Chaska, MN  55318
A Vigil service with Eulogy and remembrances will be celebrated at 6pm for those who wish to join us in prayer. During the Vigil we will invite you to  share with us a time Mike inspired or encouraged you through his wisdom, creativity or humor. Or share a poem, reading, or music that reminds you of Mike. The Vigil service will be in a tent in the backyard. It is heated, but please dress warmly. Mike wasn't a formal guy so come as you wish but know I am wearing jeans and a sweater. Pizza and salad will be served in the house. The house will be open for you to enjoy family portraits, a memorial video, family photo albums, or to check out Mike's patents hung outside his 2nd floor office.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 12th at 10am at Lakewood Cemetery Chapel.  The Chapel will open at 9:30am for a short visitation prior to the service. A committal and luncheon to immediately follow at the Lakewood Cemetery New Mausoleum. A bagpipe player will escort us on
the short walk from the Chapel to the New Mausoleum.  (Please note: watch out for the wild turkeys when driving in!)

With Love,
Tara and Petra Pittelko
(and Karen the Poodle, and Kimi the Akita, and Melvin the Cat, and Mikki the Kitten)