Peter Neukirch

1928 - 2023

Neukirch, Peter
"Pete"
September 21, 1928 - December 5, 2023

Peter Hans Neukirch, 95, of Centennial, Colorado died on December 5, 2023.

Born in Berlin on September 21, 1928, Peter, emigrated to America aboard "The Deutschland" in July 1932 along with his mother, Lora and siblings Kathe and Klaus to join family patriarch Frank in Chicago.

A long-time sportsman and sports fan, Peter was drafted by the Chicago Cubs' farm team when he was 17 and played the 1946-47 season before attending Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, majoring in sports management. While in college, Pete met the "love of his life," Marilyn (Schultz) whom he married in June of 1952.

Marilyn thought she would be a coach's wife, but life intervened and Peter became a project manager in various industries, first moving his family to Colorado to work with engineers at Martin-Marietta. That job was followed by positions in the construction industry, project development for the Denver Tech Center with Miller-Klutznick-Davis-Gray and as a leader of the Denver Southwest Business Corridor. He was a key contributor to the book "From Stage Trail to Light Rail" by Rosemary Fetter, published in 2016.

Peter is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 71 years and children Laurie (husband Sam Allen), Ken, Lisa and Jack (wife Kris) and his "greatest gifts," granddaughters Sydney and Lindsey who brought him joy beyond measure.

In addition to baseball, Pete was an accomplished speed skater, tennis player, skier and golfer. He was an avid fan of the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets, Rapids and Avalanche teams and could quote stats, players, and the histories of each like a Vegas odds-maker. He was thrilled to witness "his" Broncos win three Super Bowls, the Avs win three Stanley Cups, and the Nuggets clinch a National Championship last year and had the hats to prove it. He was steadfast in his hopes for the Colorado Rockies. At the end of each season, he was convinced they would find their footing…all they needed was a solid pitcher and some real money from the owners. He will be coaching the team from a higher position this upcoming season.

He loved Marilyn, chocolate, cowboy movies, dry Thanksgiving turkey, problem-solving, skiing, the National Western Stock Show, black licorice, polishing his shoes, backyard barbecues, camping, big breakfasts, road trips, the Rocky Mountains, politics, making waffles for his granddaughters, watching the Olympics, family reunions, brats, fleece vests, golf, Western art, ice cream, fishing, his Someren Glenn caretakers, country music, pine trees and dogs. He truly, deeply loved dogs.

A celebration of his life will take place at a future date.