Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Peter Eklof Obituary
Concord, NH - Peter Eklof, of 9 Badger Street, Concord, NH died March 13th, 2024. Peter was one of nine children born to Arthur and Edith Eklof of Fall River and Harwich, MA. An ardent life-long learner, Peter received several degrees from Tufts University, Grenoble University, University of Bordeaux, and the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA. He kept up with college learning well into his 70's. Revered by his colleagues, he used his speech and language pathologist degree to work in the Pittsfield, NH schools for over 30 years. His gift relating to young children brought about impactful change in early intervention and childhood development at Concord Community Bridges.
Peter loved children and he fostered a special friendship with the Parkington family of Wellfleet, MA. He was adopted into the family and moved to Concord, NH to be near his "godchildren" Aaron, James, Kate and David and their children: Kerris, Thayer, Bexley, Emma, Megan, Eli, Adeline, and Allison. He attended concerts, plays, dance recitals, coaching baseball and basketball games, graduations and helped with studies and availed himself like a loving father. Likewise, he had a special fondness for his siblings, nieces, and nephews who he kept in touch with on a daily basis.
Peter loved biking; he often went biking with friends or family in Concord, and Portsmouth, NH. Having a special affinity to Wellfleet, MA, he especially enjoyed vacationing and biking the Cape Cod rail trail.
Peter is survived by his two sisters Estrid Eklof and Elaine Drootin and his nieces and nephews: Justina and Julie Carlson, Christopher Welwood, Ardith Welwood, Eric and Marco Baldoni, Tony and Natasha Drootin, Cormac and Gareth Eklof, Tamara and Emma Eklof, Elaine Peluso-Farris, Louise Kane, Cynthia and Suzanne Stillinger.
Per Peter's request he will be interned at the Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH because of his military service in the air force.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Peter Eklof
Louise
March 10, 2025
I am thinking a great deal about Peter my kind, thoughtful, abstract thinking uncle. Pete always tried to keep al of his clan connected. I miss his regular and loving texts and e mails. The world is certainly less colorful and wonderful woth Pete. I hope he and Ben are racing, he and Tony wine tasting and He, Jocelyn, Estrid and my Mom Louise are together and all caring for Edie.
Marcia Briggs Menes
December 18, 2024
Peter Eklof...Our dear friend. I have to try to speak for Jonathan, my husband who left this world August 16,2021. I, so often like to hope that their spirits have joined one another in the afterlife.
Peter was Jon's "best man" at our wedding at Tufts one week after our graduation......but there was so much more.....trips to the "Cape" (which must be capitalized ) where we joined Charley and the group for sunshine, great conversations and friendship. Trips to "western Mass" for hiking and biking. Peter actually came to Washington when we returned from assignment and living in Paris.
We always remained in touch with both Arthur Crooks and Peter.....fraternity brothers but....there was a permanent bond that meant so much to Jon. In recent years...we resided in Rye Beach....Jon was unwell, but I am not sure if he ever revealed how tenuous his time on this earth was....we spent many days here at home in Rye ...Jon hoping that Peter might stop in on one of his bike rides to visit. He was rewarded with an expresso and a short visit and a brief chat.
Two men avoiding the reality that each visit might be their last. All that said...Pete contributed so much to so many young people´s lives, he will be remembered by so many individuals for his personal acts of friendship, sharing, teaching and caring. There were not enough hours in the day to do all .....I am sure he wished..to do.
I know his family and family of friends are better individuals for having known this wonderful man.
Wishing peace for all who remain.....this was a huge struggle to write, Marcia Briggs Menes
René Gennesseaux
May 29, 2024
Très grande tristesse, désolation. Pensées profondes.
Robert(Bob) Anderson
April 25, 2024
My wife Susanne, our two young kids, and myself met Peter on our return after a year In Switzerland (where Susanne worked as a ballet accompanist while I watched our kids). Peter had become a tenant in one apartment of our Haydenville, Mass. mill house, while we were away. In short order we became aware of what a good and gracious person this U Mass graduate student was. He taught our First Grade son Zack fundamentals of sports, that years later resulted in him being a top High School baseball and strong basketball player - and today that training is manifested through Zack to his fourteen year old son, star pitcher and batter named James. Unfortunately the young man's Grandmother, and my former wife, passed away a few years ago from chronic negative health conditions exacerbated by Covid - perhaps as did Pete. When I wrote to Peter in early March I learned his recovery from surgery was being complicated by Covid. The good part is I told him he was a very significant friend to me. I believed he would recover, but at least I was able to say goodbye near his time of departure. He was Christ like in his humility and intellect. I am very lucky to have known him. Dear Estrid, please text me at if possible. - Bob Anderson
Brenda M Miner
April 18, 2024
Mr.eklof will be dearly missed..he was all 4 of my boys speech therapist..friend and mentor for so many years at Pittsfield school...he was always available to them and did special events with them to let them be them selves and to have fun...he was there to console my son when his uncle passed as I was not able because I was at the hospital..he was an amazing man and will never be forgotten..
Lilly Bacon (Community Bridges)
April 16, 2024
Pete was a wonderful friend. I loved talking to him about my travels. We would compare SLP notes. He always laughed when I called him accidentally.
Charlotte Coopersmith
March 31, 2024
Peter and I met when I was 18 and he was 27. We spent time together on the cape and on Nantucket in the early 70's and lots of bike trips more recently in Maine and New Hampshire. I am glad we remained in touch over the years and very sad his time came so soon. My condolences to all of his family. He was a loving and gentle person.
Mary Babineau
March 22, 2024
So very sad to hear of Pete´s passing. A loss of great magnitude to our future as he was a thoughtful, positive and patient educator of our future leaders- children. He believed in them as our most valuable resource and treated them as such at all times. May his friends and family find peace and comfort in his memories.
Amy Moran
March 22, 2024
Peter lived admirably and was a deer friend. Honored to have known him through these past 50 years. He leaves a gap on earth
Louise Kane
March 20, 2024
It is hard to describe the amazing Peter Eklof or to capture all the nuances of his personality. As Tony wrote he was the glue ... ensuring everyone had each others contact information, reaching out always on the periphery reminding us that we were family. Peter was a great connection to my mother who died in her thirties. He never stopped reaching out to ensure that connection stayed strong, he was always present, always supportive, always reminding me that I had his support and love. I will forever be missing the random texts and reminders of his love.
Sheila Mulligan
March 19, 2024
I was so sad to hear of Pete´s passing. I had the privilege of being his team-mate during our work and play together with the little ones in early intervention, before I retired.
I will never forget his kind and caring nature and his thoughtful questions. He truly was a life long learner, but also a willing teacher. I can still hear his warm voice and see his even warmer smile, while little ones were hanging onto his knees in greeting. Though he will be much missed, I like to think of him as leaving us all to go onto his next great adventure - with his bike, and his loved ones that have gone before.
Peace and Blessings Pete, to You & Yours
Sheila
Joanne Bates
March 19, 2024
Peter was a yoga student of mine once upon a time. I loved his energy and love of life. So grateful I knew him. My condolences to his family.
Alice Young
March 19, 2024
I'm so sad to hear of Peter's passing. What an amazing human being he was. He worked with two of our special needs children for years at Pittsfield Middle High School. He was loving, compassionate, encouraging and extremely good at his profession. He was loved by so many, including our family.
With Love,
Alice Young
Jim Schlosser
March 18, 2024
Pete was a wonderful neighbor. The Badger St. crowd will miss him dearly.
Lynn Van Cleave
March 18, 2024
Pete was truly a treasure! I have had the pleasure on knowing and working collaboratively with Pete for many years. I will always treasure our conversations over our work with our littles. He was always so eager to engage in a conversation about "speechie" things. He was always thoughtful and had a continuous desire to learn new things. My heart is sad. His passing will certainly leave a huge hole in our lives here at Community Bridges. My condolences to his family and friends. I will miss you my friend and peace to you.
Lynn Van Cleave (Community Bridges)
Marco Baldoni
March 18, 2024
Fond memories of an impressive uncle. An inspiring well rounded life for an obviously intelligent dynamic mind, a real credit to humanity. My condolences to all his family and friends, for what it is worth my family in Brazil will be praying for Peter in his next journey.
Marco Baldoni
Sue Petrovek
March 17, 2024
I am so saddened to learn this news. I worked with Peter for the Pittsfield School District for many years. He was certainly one of the kindest, most fair, loyal and loving people I was blessed and lucky to work with.
He loved his family, and spoke often of all of you, with love.
A great friend who taught me many things, including a lesson in bike riding... and yes it is possible to ride a bike and laugh for the entire ride.
So very sorry for your loss.
Peace and love to you, Peter
Sue Petrovek
Lynda and sons
March 16, 2024
Peter did so much for my boys doing activities canoeing, baseball games or just spending some 1on1time with them
Peter you will alway be remembered and never forgotten RIP
Cormac Eklof
March 16, 2024
Such a kind, loving man, a true humanist in every sense. His remarkable kindness will live on for many years, long after he's decided to take his rest. Our lovely uncle.
Pamela Plante
March 16, 2024
Peter was an amazing speech pathologist that I had the pleasure of working with for many years in Pittsfield. He was so incredibly smart and made me a better occupational therapist as he shared that knowledge willingly in our co-treats. He was so caring and such an asset to everyplace he worked. We kept in touch and only saw each other on occasion, but I always though of him and will remember him fondly for ever. Rest in Peace Peter and my sincerest condolences to the family you have left behind.
Clare
March 16, 2024
Rest in peace Peter. A life well lived. You will be greatly missed.
Clare
Gareth Eklof and family
March 16, 2024
Rest in peace our beautiful Uncle Peter. Such a kind hearted man, always put others before himself. Your family in Ireland will miss you dearly.
Karen Lofgren
March 16, 2024
Pete will be missed. There are so many of us who will feel this loss! Pete is impossible to describe and was a whirlwind of intelligence, ideas, compassion, questions, languages, laughter, love, and above all a true life-long learner! I had the privilege to work with Pete for 21 years, and the true honor to also call him a friend. I already miss him. He faced these last few years with such a positive attitude and a fierce desire to continue being engaged in life. He had a special heart for children, and tried to continue to engage in work right up to his last month! He spoke frequently and fondly of all of the children he loved in all his families and poured himself into their lives. My true condolences to all of his family members who will be feeling this loss. We were each really blessed to have known Pete and had him in our lives!
With many memories,
Karen Lofgren
(Community Bridges)
Stacy Knight
March 16, 2024
Pete was an incredible human being. I have only known him for 2.5 years as we worked together, but he was such a sweet and kind man. I will miss our interactions. Prayers to all his family during your time of sorrow. <3 I will visit him at the Veteran's Cemetery on my monthly visits.
Tony
March 15, 2024
We will miss you Uncle Peter. You were the glue always keeping our family close. I´ll miss your messages in French, Birthday emails like clockwork every year, and will always remember you for the kind loving person you were.
Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results
Make a Donation
in Peter Eklof's name
Memorial Events
for Peter Eklof
Funeral services provided by:
Bennett Funeral Home - Concord209 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301-5048
How to support Peter's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Peter Eklof's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
