Peter H. Petersen

Peter H. Petersen, age 93, passed away Sunday May 8, 2016 at Ebied Hospice. The son of Cornelius and Margaret, he was born April 26, 1923 in Hattstedt, Germany. In the late 1940s a young girl, 17 years old, named Irma Lutz went to Germany to visit extended family. It turns out a former neighbor was Pete who was 25 year old. She asked him to show her around. The young lady returned to home to the states and the two corresponded with each other frequently for three years. Irmas mother sponsored Pete in order for him to travel to the United States in 1950. A few years later, on December 24, 1953, the two were married, but it was not your ordinary wedding. They were married on a T.V. program called Bride and Groom in New York City in Rockefeller Plaza. Peter was submariner for the German Navy. While at Officer training School, his U boat, the 518, that he served on was on manuevers went it went down and the entire crew perished. Only 10% of Submarniners survived during WWII. Because he was unique individual to have survived and was now living in the USA, he appeared on various T.V. programs such as Oliver Norths show, History and Discovery Channels. While visiting the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry he was overheard talking about U Boat 505 that was on display there, the sister ship of his 518. He was pulled aside and asked where certain parts belonged on the ship because the Museum could not figure out their proper placement. Later Pete participated in various reenactments aboard the 505 at the Museum. He was member of the Thaddeus Wolinski History Group, longtime volunteer of the Republican party,very active with German American Festival (GAF), member and past president of the Toledo Turners, the Toledo Schwaben Verein, member and tour guide of the Willis B. Boyer Museum Ship, was the second longest living member of Bayview Yacht Club, Old News Boys and member and past president of the International Institute. He most recognizable for being the voice of the GAF with famous sayings like come to the fest and bring a guest or beer, lots and lots of beer. For 32 years he hosted a weekly radio program called the German Amercian Hour on Sunday mornings at 9 :00 AM. He loved to travel with his wife and the two have taken over 50 cruises. Pete was very proud of his heritage and being an american citizen. Two of his proudes moments, which he loved to talk about, was his daughter winning the Miss Teenage America cotntest adn his granddaughter recieving 2 Bachelors degree in 3 1/2 years from Boston University. His family loved him dearly and he will be missed. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Irma; daughter, Karen Petersen Lumm; granddaughter, Logan and (Daniel) Taylor; siblings, Max, Kaete, Marga and Walter. He was preceded in death by his siblings Karl Heinrich and Annegrete. Friends may visit the family on Tuesday from 2-7 PM at Walker Funeral Home 5155 Sylvania Ave. (West of Corey Rd) where services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday. Interment will be private. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Ebied Hospice 5200 Harroun Rd Sylvania, OH 43560 or the German American Festival Society Scholarship Award 3624 Seaman Oregon, OH 43616.