J. Peter Bartl

1943 - 2024

J. Peter "Pete" Bartl, 80, of Eau Claire, died from a heart attack while at Mayo Clinic Health System - Eau Claire, on February 1,. He was born on October 14, 1943 in Thorp to Ami (Mullenbach) and Joseph James Bartl and was their only child. Peter contracted polio as a young boy and fully recovered. He was even able to do heavy labor at the family farm.

After graduating from Thorp High School, Peter attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin for two years and then the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He received degrees in electrical engineering and industrial management from MIT in 1967 and then joined MIT's Industrial Liaison Office. Thereafter, he worked for General Dynamics designing nuclear submarines for the U.S. Navy. Subsequently, he returned to the Industrial Liaison Office, ultimately becoming the primary electrical engineering/life sciences contact between MIT and corporate America.

Peter returned to Thorp in 2000 to take care of his ailing mother and to assist her in running her insurance agency. After his mother's death in 2008, he continued running the insurance agency from her home office in Thorp and took up residency in Eau Claire. He owned and rented out the family farm and managed several rental properties that he purchased in Thorp and in the Eau Claire area. Peter followed current events closely and was always happy to enter into a political discussion. From time to time, he became active in local issues. He loved music - played the grand piano that he acquired and sang in the choirs at St. James and Immaculate Conception. He also enjoyed jogging and often could be seen running in the Lowes Creek area and the City of Thorp. Peter was seen everywhere with his beloved dog and traveling companion, Dunner up until his passing.

Since Peter was an only child, his friendships were very important to him. While making new friends in Eau Claire, he maintained close ties to childhood friends in Thorp and college friends in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New Jersey. To all who knew him, he was a loyal and honest friend and will be sorely missed.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13 at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 2502 11th Street in Eau Claire, with Fr. Tom Krieg officiating.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at the church. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Cemetery in Boyd, WI. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services is serving his family.

To express online condolences, please visit lenmarkfh.com.