Peter J. Wagner Jr.

Peter Wagner Obituary

Peter J. Wagner Jr., PhD Okemos Born December 25, 1938, in Chicago, IL; died August 6, 2009, at the age of 70. Peter was a University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and an internationally recognized researcher in Photochemistry. He enjoyed raising orchids and irises, gardening and wine tasting and loved flowers. Peter was a lifelong die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, a soccer referee, baseball umpire and an avid golfer. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Kelly Wagner, and his parents. Surviving are his children, Peter J. Wagner III (Kate Lyons) of Alexandria, VA, Stephen K. Wagner (Susanna Tellschow) of Haslett, Robert M. Wagner of Brooklyn, NY, Paul J. Wagner (Lee) of Haslett, Mary S. Wagner of Okemos and Michael J. Wagner of Brooklyn, NY; grandson, Kieran Wagner; sister, Marianne Lederer (William) of Snowmass, CO; aunt & uncle, Frances Pfaff and the Rev. Father Leon Wagner; two nieces; a nephew; and many cousins. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 12, at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing. The family will receive friends at the Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, on Monday from 6-8 p.m. and on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m.

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Published by Lansing State Journal on Aug. 9, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter Wagner

9 Entries

Wally Jones

August 13, 2009

I am very saddened by the passing of Dr. Peter Wagner, my dear friend for over 60 years. He was a brilliant and good man. My sincerest condolences to the family. Rest in peace, my friend.

Tom Muench

August 13, 2009

Condolences from Long Island, NY.

I haven't seen the guys from Loyola Academy often in the last 52 years, but I did have a long and great conversation with Peter at the last reunion I was able to attend. He was one of the guys I could really connect with at the Academy. I'm sure your family (and your colleagues) will miss you and I will miss having another great conversation at the next reunior I am able to attend.
May you rest in peace.

August 11, 2009

To Pete's kids-It was so good to see you at the party for your dad. I know you will miss him. Fortunately, you all have many happy memories to carry with you now that he has gone home to be with his Savior.
God comfort you. Nancy Winkler (hockey fan with your dad)

August 11, 2009

My sympathies to Peter's family. Peter was my hockey buddy when my husband would stay home with the kids. We'd talk about everything. Our favorite Yoplait flavors, ice skating, his Christmas tree still being up in July, and of course, the Cubs and Sox. I'm sorry, Peter, that the Cubs couldn't win a World Series for you. I'm sorry, I can't promise you that the Cubs will be in a World Series. It sure was fun letting you know that the White Sox did win a World Series!! Keep rootin' for those Cubs....maybe you're the heavenly intervention that they need!!! I'll miss you getting those chocolate chip ice creams at all the Spartan Hockey games!!! May you be with your beloved Mary. God Bless, Cindy Maleczka, DeWitt

August 10, 2009

Peter Wagner was a friend, I am philip trosko a generation in line and behind peter. As an MSU graduate I was always impressed with Peter's devotion to students and the ways of MSU, however I would like to relay a childhood rememberance of Peter as a soccer coach. Was early on a fall Saturday in Mason, Michigan, Peter our fatherly figure and kind of administrative supportive father was with six of us and was told by the league official we were to take the field or forfeit! Peter had never coached our team, and he quickly told Will Andrews, Ichiro Matsumura, Jim Slocum, another two young fellows and myself to do our best... boy talk about the other coach putting the team of hunger to kill an Okemos team on the field against us too. At 1/2 time we were run ragged however keeping the field spread as instructed, and were relieved in that our seventh of 11 team members showed at 1/2 rob archipley ... the game finished after some of the most grueling running of our lives, and Peter J. Wagner received his first win as a soccer coach, okemos six mason two!

Tom Kloempken

August 10, 2009

I too have fond memories of Pete while we were classmates at Loyola Academy. Not only was Peter the class scholar, he was a real down to earth person that cared about everyone. I still remember Pete trying to jump rope as Theodore Kirby in "You Can't Take It With You". God bless you Peter!

August 10, 2009

As a fellow classmate at Loyola Academy Pete was a marvel to me. How could someone as brilliant as he was be such a great guy. My condolences to the family.

Ed McAdams

Thomas Henehan

August 10, 2009

Greetings and condolences from Cochabamba, Bolivia!

I have very fond memories of our time together at Loyola Academy. Peter was far and above all of us as a talented academic. At the same time he was very much a part of all class activities... a loyal classmate.
May he rest in peace. I will celebrate the Eucharist for his intention.
Fr. Tom Henehan, M.M.

Bruce Winkler

August 9, 2009

So sad to hear of Pete's passing. I will always think of him as being with us at the MSU hockey games. Both Nancy and I also gathered a great amount of appreciation for Pete's understated humor (I don't know if his students saw it the same way). Professionally, we had many conversations on his research and interests. A great mind. We look forward to meeting again in heaven. He will always be with us.

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