Peter R. Orser

Peter Rankin Orser, 92, rejoined the “Big Picture” on February 22, 2021, at home in Perrysburg with his daughter by his side and his beloved friends and caretakers: Brenda Tifft, Ronda Benschoter, and Randy McCarthy, who filled his last years with happiness and devotion. He was born December 22, 1928 to Horace Gilbert Orser and Katharine Griffis McCallie, and was soon followed by his adored brother H. Stanton “Tony” Orser. They moved to Laguna Beach, California as small boys, and grew up playing together on the beach, body surfing, diving for lobster and abalone, and throwing “day old doughnuts” to seagulls. In 1942 they moved to Perrysburg to live with their father and stepmother Grace Ford Orser where Peter met Caroline “Carol” MacNichol; they married in 1955. He graduated from The Lawrenceville School in 1947, attended Bowling Green State University and served as Lt. J.G. in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He loved literature, especially Walt Whitman; history, especially the Civil War and visited Gettysburg many times with his daughter, lugging history books under their arms as they walked the battlefields. He was a gifted athlete: tennis, paddle tennis, hockey, baseball and basketball. He loved bird watching, and above all he loved fishing, always coming back after a long day on the river saying, “you should have seen the one that got away”. From 1954-1985 he was a sales and advertising executive for the former Libbey Owens Ford Glass Co., and his office was a place of joy with advertising gadgets everywhere. In 1968 he was selected by the Nixon campaign to be an “advance man”. He dedicated himself to many community endeavors. He was president of The Toledo Zoo board the year the zoo was purchased from the city of Toledo; he gave tirelessly to Toledo Metro Parks, Ohio Nature Conservancy and Black Swamp Conservancy, Toledo Chamber of Congress, Red Cross, NIFTI, Junior Achievement and United Way. He was president of Civic Pride and a member of the Toledo Answer Club. After his retirement, he opened an “Orvis” store at Toledo’s “Portside”, where many tall tales continued to be told; he was part owner of the Toledo Blades/Hornets hockey team. In 2006 he and his wife Carol donated the land surrounding their beloved “Camp” on the St Croix river in New Brunswick, Canada, creating a conservation easement to protect that land forever and establishing the Nature Trust of New Brunswick’s largest reserve. Peter will be missed. He was a true friend to the many who crossed his path, young and old; always witty, always wise, always celebrating each for who they were. One of his favorite lines from Walt Whitman was, “If you want me again, look for me under your boot soles. You will hardly know who I am or what I mean but I shall be good health to you nevertheless.” He is survived by his three children Peter (Laura), Carrie (Eric) and George (Molly); four grandchildren who adored him and his first great-grandchild. He is also survived by his half-siblings Jonathan Orser of Perrysburg, Gretchen McCausland of Laguna Beach, CA, and Anne Campbell of Chatanooga TN. His wife and brother predeceased him in 2019; his half-sibling Katharine Monger predeceased him in 2008. Those wishing to express sympathy are asked to consider The Toledo Zoo, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, or Black Swamp Conservancy. A memorial celebration will be held later this year. In the meantime, he would want everyone to enjoy an “Uncle Pete” (Myers rum, orange juice, squeeze of lime) in his honor, and say what he always said on his first sip, “damn that’s good!” Services for Peter will be private. Arrangements were entrusted to Witzler-Shank Walker Funeral Home, Perrysburg (419-874-3133). Condolences may be made online to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.