Peter Kimble

CHAMPAIGN - Peter Sherwood Kimble, 77, of Champaign, loving husband and father, passed away on July 29, 2024, in Rochester, Minn. 

He was born to Theodore Hazen Kimble and Claire Ellen Sherwood Kimble on June 14, 1947, in Urbana. Peter lived his early school years in Knoxville, Ill., where his mother and her two young sons had moved following the death of her husband at age 32 in 1954. In the face of this loss, his mother grew spiritually, and she shared this wisdom with her children. In 1958, she married school superintendent James S. Spencer, and five years later the family moved to Champaign.

Peter graduated from Champaign High School in 1965 and enrolled at the University of Illinois at just the right time to experience the '60s. He eventually earned bachelor's and master's degrees at the UI, and went on to start his own software business; to teach computer science at University High School and to faculty, staff and others through the UI; to host a radio call-in show "Computers and You" and to accomplish much more.

In his early 20s, Peter worked for Heil Sound, running large concert sound systems for bands such as The Grateful Dead, The Who, The Carpenters and Procol Harum. "I think Jerry needs a little more guitar," Peter would quip, recounting his time touring with The Dead. While working a sound gig in Columbus, Ohio, in 1970, Peter was introduced to his future wife, Brenda Porterfield. Having read Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi, Peter had learned to meditate in 1970-perhaps not coincidentally in the same year he met Brenda. Two years later, in Switzerland, Peter and Brenda were initiated as teachers of Transcendental Meditation by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. They were married on Aug. 10, 1974, in Claridon, Ohio, and made their home in Champaign where they raised a son, Austin Porterfield Kimble, now a jazz pianist, teacher and music director in Austin, Texas. Music was a continuing thread throughout their married life. They enjoyed many concerts at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana and frequently visited Texas for Austin's performances.

Lovers of travel, Peter and Brenda managed to visit all 50 states and several other countries. Peter's friends and family knew him as insightful, warmhearted, caring and witty. He made friends readily and would start up conversations with just about anyone. An empathic soul, he could deeply feel for others without losing equanimity. He cared about people. An unapologetic punster, Peter amused us endlessly with quips, jokes and funny stories.

Peter leaves behind his wife, Brenda; son, Austin Kimble (partner Cher Rothschild); brother, Christopher (Patricia) Kimble; sister, Sarah (David) Polda; and uncle, Daniel (Reeva) Kimble. He was preceded in death by his father; mother; and stepfather.

Memorials may be made to the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (krannertcenter.com/giving/invest-now) or to Illinois Public Media's WILL radio (will.illinois.edu/support/pledgeform).

A celebration of Peter's life will be arranged later this year.