Jean-Pierre L. Wirz

Jean-Pierre L. WIRZ Jean-Pierre Wirz, 82, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his Bellevue home on the evening of January 14, 2010, following a courageous battle with painful health issues. JP, as he was known to his friends, was born on April 19, 1928, in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland to Leon and Nelly Wirz. Jean-Pierre graduated from Swiss Engineering school. In 1957, he married his sweetheart, Gerda Beller. Their American dream brought them to New York, then to Canada and finally to their home of over 40 years, in Bellevue. Together they had two children, Gerard and Monique. With a passion for travel and a love of airplanes, JP landedat Boeing where he spent 30 years working in Engineering, Research and finally in International Sales & Marketing. In 1973, he was asked to take on a new challenge as President of UOP Aerospace in Brussels, where he and his family enjoyed the European life and proximity to their Swiss roots. Back in Bellevue, JP enjoyed flying, fishing and hunting. Friends and family were a significant part of his wellbeing, and he took enormous pleasure in sharing his love of life. Nicolas, his grandson who he called "le petit dude", was his sunshine at every visit. A memorial will held for friends and family from 2-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 24, 2010, at the Overlake Golf and Country Club. In remembrance of Jean-Pierre, donations can be made to: Organ Transplant Fund, Swedish Medical Center Foundation, 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122, (206) 386-2738.