Anton G. Pegis

1920 - 2014

BORN

1920

DIED

2014

About

University of Denver

Anton Pegis Obituary

94, died peacefully at home in Golden, Colorado, on May 15, 2014. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Harriet Stevens Pegis; a granddaughter, Julie Hébert Cameron; and five siblings. His survivors include daughters Stefani De Bell (Michael) and Penelope Pegis; granddaughter Kimberly Hébert and step-granddaughter Heather Beechum; sister Polly Pease; and many nieces and nephews. Born in 1920 to George and Eugenia Pegis, Tony grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he graduated from Bay View High School. He was in the Wisconsin National Guard before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1940. After receiving his Army commission in 1942, he served in the Pacific theater during World War II. In 1980, he retired from the Army Reserve with the rank of major. Tony received a bachelor's degree in 1949 from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. He taught English at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, before moving to Denver, where he earned his master's and doctorate in English from the University of Denver. During a 28-year career at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, he taught English and philosophy and served for 10 years as Vice President. Upon his 1982 retirement, he was named Professor Emeritus of English. The Mines Class of 1960 made him an honorary class member in 2000 and established a scholarship fund in his name. After retiring from Mines, Tony continued working as a technical writing consultant for federal agencies and private industries. He also taught technical writing and editing seminars throughout the United States and in Germany, Guam, and Puerto Rico, until he fully retired in 2005. Tony and Harriet enjoyed traveling; a highlight was their trip to Greece, where they visited Athens and journeyed to the village of Tropaia, the birthplace of Tony's parents. Interment is at Fort Logan National Cemetery; arrangements are private at Tony's request. Memorial contributions may be made to The Dr. Anton G. Pegis Scholarship Fund, Colorado School of Mines Foundation, P.O. Box 4005, Golden, CO 80402.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Denver Post on May 25, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Anton Pegis

3 Entries

June 24, 2014

Dr and Mrs (also Dr) Pegis have always been great favorites and I miss their keen intellects and senses of humor. It was such a pleasure to reconnect with both of them and find them both as sharp as ever in their 90s!
Condolences to Stephanie and Penny and family, Judith J Your babysitter

Dan Witkowsky

May 30, 2014

The Class of 1966 at the Colorado School of Mines first met Dr. Anton G. Pegis at “Freshman Orientation,” a half-semester hour course which provided us with an introduction to the School and its traditions and standards, including how to unite as a class to survive the dreaded few weeks of “Agitation.”

His classes were always inspiring and thought-provoking, and he often incorporated his own experiences, especially those from the Army, into his lectures. I learned to think in a different way than how I thought an engineer would think, when I participated in his “Philosophy of Science” class during my freshman year.

During that class he always addressed me as, “Mr. Witkowsky,” or if I was in my ROTC uniform, as “General Witkowsky.” In the many years following graduation, he seemed to remember my name and everybody's first name and always recalled my last name (as did Harriet!). Several years ago he happened to be on a flight seated next to my older son in the Air Force, and they shared some laughs at my expense! Ouch!

All of my class always continued to address him as “Dr. Pegis” in the many years since we graduated, and we all thought he was special enough, especially when it came to his sense of humor, that we invited him to our class reunions on several occasions.

All of the CSM Class of 1966 will definitely miss you!

Jack Straw

May 25, 2014

I hope that soon the family's sadness will be replaced by happy memories. I only met Mr Pegis once and found him to be good humored, with a happy smile, and a firm handshake.
I am sending love to your family!
I love you all!

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results