Peter C. Appel

Peter C. Appel, 72, formerly of Loveland, died September 15, 2010, in Aurora Colorado. He was born September 18, 1937 in Knoxville TN. He grew up in Champaign, Ill, attended Northwestern University then moved to Northern California and earned a BS and MS in electrical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. As a career employee of Hewlett Packard, he developed a variety of software and hardware including a patent to improve computer graphics processing. He retired in July 2000. Known for his mischievous sense of humor and the inescapable twinkle in his eye, Peter prided himself on his boyhood pranks. Among them: as a student, he designed an alarm that mimicked the school bell, attached it to a timer, hid it in a locker, and scampered into the hall with his unwitting classmates as it went off during the middle of class. An avid swimmer and sailor, Peter enjoyed camping and had a keen interest in biblical archaeology. He turned his demonstrable engineering talents into a hobby as a carpenter who built everything from indestructible ceiling fans to a full-size tree playhouse with running water for his elated children. After having been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2002, he committed to helping advance research efforts by participating in several clinical trials. He is survived by his son, Charles B. Appel of Boulder CO; daughter Gwendolyn A. Pew and husband Keith M. Pew, Bethesda MD; brother Theodore B. Appel III, Boulder; sister Elizabeth A. Bailey, Palm Desert, CA; and grandchildren Sylvia, Alexander and Benjamin Pew. Peter is preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia S. Appel, his mother Elizabeth C. Appel and father Theodore B. Appel Jr. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30pm Tuesday September 21st at St. John's Catholic Church in Loveland followed by a reception in St. John's Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Colorado Chapter, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service.