North Shore Death Notices: Dec. 14 To Dec. 20

Peter Ernest Reisner passed away December 13, 2020 at the age of 91 of complications from COVID-19. Peter was born May 5th, 1929 in Berlin to Frederick and Eugenia (Goldman) Reisner. They moved to Vienna, Austria in 1933 to avoid the Nazis. When Germany annexed Austria, a frightened nine-year-old Peter watched the parade through central Vienna. Then, every afternoon, after school, he ran through a hail of rocks thrown by eager Hitler Youth. In 1939, having the good fortune of American cousins, they settled in Kansas City, MO. He was only angry that the war ended before he was old enough to go back and fight “those assholes”.

Pete quickly learned English, graduated high school early and started junior college at 16. He earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla at 19. Pete began his career as a chemical engineer only to be drafted two years later into the Army Chemical Corp during the Korean War. Later, at night, he would earn a masters degree in Mathematics and was active in community theater and Toastmasters. During Thanksgiving 1955, he met the love of his life, Susie Archenhold and 24 hours later, they were engaged and spent the next very happy 65 years together.

Professionally, Pete managed chemical manufacturing plants for the Joseph E. Seagram Distillery (“We got a free bottle of whiskey every Friday!”), Columbia Southern Chemical and The Dow Chemical Company. Later, he transitioned to a career in materials management. He designed innovative transportation, warehousing and order processing systems for International Minerals and Chemical and Abbott Laboratories, and managed all warehousing and transportation for the Hollister Co. He retired at 70 to focus on his tennis game, swimming and traveling with his family.

Peter loved to laugh (particularly, at a good dirty joke), was a world-class story-teller and throughout his life, loved our mother’s cooking (“It’s the best food you’ll ever find…anywhere!”). He played a mean game of bridge (in college, winnings paid for his first pair of glasses) and never missed a chance to play tennis with his friends and family. But above all, Pete simply adored his grandchildren, attending as many of their football, tennis, baseball and swim meets, dance and music performances that he was able. He celebrated their every achievement.