Peter James Kordell

Peter James Kordell passed away peacefully at his home in San Diego on Dec 2, 2023, with his wife Yvonne and daughter Jennifer by his side. He was 77.

Born in St. Paul, MN, Peter graduated from St. Paul Central, after which he served honorably in the Navy in Vietnam. Following his service, he graduated from the University of Minnesota where he studied math, physics, and business.

A lifelong entrepreneur, researcher, and teacher, Peter's career began in the commodities industry, an endeavor that led him to Haiti for several formative years. He subsequently founded businesses in commodities, investments, and research; delivered over a thousand speeches and lectures; and mentored start-ups focused on agricultural sustainability. Fueled by his passion for education, he returned to school mid-career to obtain his teaching license, after which he co-founded Fort Snelling Academy, a charter high school.

Peter deeply valued his non-profit work, particularly a decade in multiple leadership roles at Mount Sinai Hospital and his ten years on the Board at No Time For Poverty, where he played a pivotal role in establishing a pediatric medical clinic in Port Salut, Haiti.

In the final year of his life, Peter discovered his dream job with the Veterans Business Outreach Center, where he taught veterans seeking to start their own businesses. This role pulled together many threads from his life: his work as an entrepreneur, his teaching prowess, his ability to inspire through self-reflection and storytelling, his interest in the developing world of artificial intelligence, his service in Vietnam, and his ability to connect with young people.

Amid his vibrant career, Peter made time to explore the world, visiting all 50 states and over 45 countries. His family and friends were always his top priority, and he will be remembered for his generosity, loyalty, optimism, and resilience.

Peter is survived by his loving wife Yvonne and her daughter Coquette Kinahan, his daughter Jennifer (Tim Moran), and his sister Michele Wensman (Jeff). He is preceded in death by his wife Judy and survived by her daughter Carol Carpenter (Dean). His grandchildren Natalie, Julia, Alex, Kelsey, and Charlie, nephew Sam (Melissa), niece Sophie, and many cherished family and friends mourn his passing.

The family extends their profound gratitude to the compassionate teams at the Jennifer Moreno VA Hospital and Right at Home La Jolla. The exceptional staff at Lightbridge Hospice provided love and purpose to Peter's final weeks. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the LightBridge Hospice Foundation (https://lbhcf.org/) or to organizations supporting veterans or pancreatic cancer research.