Peter Killheffer

Peter Henyon Killheffer, resident of Hood River, OR died on Friday, October 13, 2023, at the Providence Brookside Memory Care Center.
Peter Killheffer was born on September 3, 1936, in Woodbury, NJ to Grace Henyon Killheffer and John Wesley Killheffer. He had one older sister, Janet. The first seventeen years of his life were spent in Woodstown, NJ. The family moved to Barrington, RI where Peter spent his Senior year at Barrington High School. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in economics from the University of Rhode Island.
As a member of Army ROTC, Peter joined the Army as a lieutenant after graduation and served in the Army Corps of Engineers in Munich, Germany for four years. Holding a degree in economics, Peter began his career in the field of finance, working at Banker's Trust Co. in New York and Geigy Agricultural Chemical Co., where he met Lynne. Instead of moving to NC with Geigy, he accepted a job with Digital Equipment Corporation in Maynard, MA., where he worked for thirteen years. Following the move to MA, Peter made New England his home for the next forty-two years, primarily in NH. Peter purchased a franchise of The Maids® in North Hampton, NH, and ran that until retirement in 2017. He received numerous awards and citations over the years, including Franchise of the Year. His franchise was one of the first to offer health insurance and 401K's, and he also paid his employees one of the highest salaries in the organization. He rightfully earned the admiration and respect of his employees and colleagues.
On November 30, 1973, Peter and Lynne married in Newburyport, MA, and lived in several towns in the area until settling in Hampstead, NH. With their two daughters, Chrissy and Brooke, the family spent their weekends and vacations downhill skiing and sailing along the coast of Maine. Peter and Lynne also enjoyed playing competitive croquet and traveling widely. Peter was a coach of any sport his daughters were playing and the best cheerleader with the loudest whistle and biggest cowbell. Peter was also the life of any dance floor that he graced. Everyone wanted to be his dance partner. While his memory may have faded in recent years, his light and love never dimmed. He will be missed and forever loved.
Peter was predeceased by his parents, Grace and Wes, and his older sister Janet. He is survived by his wife Lynne Huntsberger Killheffer of Hood River, OR; daughter Christen Meredith Killheffer Sinclair (Mark) of Seattle, WA; daughter Alison Brooke Killheffer Benchetler (Peter) of Hood River, OR; grandchildren Charlotte and Al Sinclair of Seattle, WA; grandchildren Georgina Grace and Virginia Jane Benchetler of Hood River, OR; cousin Theodore Killheffer of Wilmington, DE; niece Joan Dalonzo of Tucson, AZ; nephew Robert Dalonzo of Rockford, IL; niece Lisa Stapleton of Alexandria, VA; beloved dog Kenzie of Hood River, OR; and friends far and wide who loved him dearly.
Peter will be cremated with his remains spread in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans because, as his young nephew once noted, Peter found the sea fulfilling. There will be no service or celebration of life at this time, but there will be a small gathering of friends and family in Maine next summer.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Peter's honor to:
Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer's Disease Research
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.