Pilot Athletics Former AD Joe Etzel, 87, Passed Away, Reuniting with His Wife, Judy, in Heaven
Joe Etzel left an unmatched legacy that built UP athletics into what it is today.
December 30, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on December 30, 2026
Joe Etzel, a longtime student-athlete, coach, and athletic director, passed away at the age of 87 on Sunday, December 28, 2026, surrounded by his family.
He married the love of his life, Judy Kehoe Etzel, and built a loving family alongside their five children.
Joe’s journey on The Bluff began in 1956 and became one of the finest pitchers in Pilot history.
After graduating in 1960, he returned in 1966 to lead the baseball program for 21 seasons, amassing 378 wins. Later, the university honored him by naming its baseball facility Joe Etzel Field in 2004.
His greatest impact came from his 34-year tenure as Athletic Director, and he guided Portland into the West Coast Conference. He retired as the longest-tenured AD in Division I in 2004.
Joe Etzel was the foundation upon which modern Pilot Athletics was built. His vision, integrity, and unwavering belief in the power of college athletics shaped this department for more than three decades. We give thanks for his life and extend our deepest condolences to the Etzel family.
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Joe Etzel and His Wife, Judy, were the Heart of the Pilot’s Family
Joe Etzel was preceded in death by his wife, Judy, who passed away on January 23, 2026, after bravely living with Alzheimer’s for over a decade.
She was the daughter of John and Margaret Kehoe, born on August 2, 1940, in Portland. Her parents raised her alongside her brother, Brent, in Southwest Portland.
Joe Etzel was with his wife, Judy. (Source: Instagram)Judy met Joe during her studies at the University of Portland School of Nursing.
She asked him to a Valentine’s dance, sparking a lifetime partnership. They married on June 2, 1962, a week after her graduation, and began a role as a dedicated coach’s wife.
Judy balanced a fulfilling nursing career in pediatrics, public health, and home health with raising their four children: Jim, Kathy, Susan, and Tom.
She was the heart of the Etzel home, known for her home-cooked meals, immaculate house, and famous cookies and pies. Moreover, she was also a fixture at UP athletic events, supporting Joe and the Pilots.
A woman of many talents, Judy loved gardening, sewing, quilting, and crafting. She found deep faith and fellowship at St. Pius X parish.
Joe and Judy loved to visit Palm Springs in the early Spring and Central Oregon every summer. They loved riding in their convertible Mustang and listening to a good country song.
Joe and Judy are survived by their four children: Jim and his wife, Carmen, Kathy and her husband, Mike Kollas, Susan Etzel, and Tom Etzel, and three grandchildren: Matthew Kollas, Connor Kollas, and Jack Bauccio.
The Etzel family will soon announce a memorial service to celebrate the life of the beloved coach and athletic director.
Rest In Peace, Joe and Judy Etzel.
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Ashish Maharjan, author at Players Bio, has been covering news with a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling. A writer with a passion for capturing the essence of athletic competition.
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