Peer John Lovfald Jr

Peer John Lovfald Jr was born in Englewood, NJ, spent early childhood in Norway, and returned with his family to the US, settling in Red Bank, NJ. Son of an arctic explorer and inventor, Peer grew up exploring the countryside, befriending wild animals, and seeking adventure-taking solo trips into New York City at nine years old and working on the Sea Cloud yacht at sixteen. After his father's death, he joined the Naval Reserves as an Airman Apprentice working with and catching dirigibles at Lakehurst, NJ. Peer attended boarding school and graduated Class of '54 from the US Naval Academy with an electrical engineering degree. He was commissioned in the Air Force and flew missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War, holding significant responsibilities. He married Sigrid in Hawaii and lived in London and California before moving to Maine. He flew Cold War missions over the Arctic and raised his family, teaching them Nordic skills and a love for outdoor life.

Peer retired honorably from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years and settled the family in St. Petersburg, Florida. There, he started boat-building businesses, designed competitive sailboats, and immersed himself-and his family-in the waterfront community, passing on a passion for sailing and watersports. When business slowed, he worked as a building inspector and later with Pinellas County Schools, always demonstrating hands-on ingenuity.

A dreamer and innovator, Peer was a boat builder and designer, enjoyed cooking, and cherished time with his family outdoors. He instilled a legacy of adventure, creativity, and appreciation for life on the water.

Peer is preceded in death by his parents Per & Anne Lovfald, sister Aud Lovfald and his grandson Harrison Coffey. He is survived by his loving wife Sigrid of over sixty years. Children Per and his wife Merissa, Kari and her husband Craig and Inge-Lise and her husband Michael. Grandchildren Erika, Johanna, Christiana, Max, Dokken, Sofia and Henry and great grandchildren Amelia, Perry and Mara and his niece Karin Mayer.

Services will be held Monday February 16, 2026. Time & Location: 11am Lutheran Church of the Cross 4400 Chancellor St NE Saint Petersburg, FL 33703