Peter Churm

Peter Churm

February 2, 1926-December 31, 2011

Peter Churm, 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 31, 2011 at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach. He died from complications of a stroke. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he was born in Beloit, Wisc., in 1926. He grew up in Glen Ellyn, Ill. where he graduated from Glenbard High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943. Four years later, he graduated with honors from Miami University in Ohio. He returned to active duty in 1950 and served in the Korean War as a 1st Lieutenant. In December 1954, he married Carolyn Rau and the next day resigned his commission to work for Kimberly Clark in Neenah, Wisc. He transferred in 1956 to Fullerton, Calif., and three years later was hired by a plastics manufacturer, Fluorocarbon, which later was renamed Furon. He worked there 33 years—17 as president and 11 as chairman—and helped the company grow from 20 employees to more than 2,900 employees. He retired in 1991 at age 65, but continued to serve on the firm's board of directors and several other corporate boards, including Carl Karcher Enterprises. He also served as a trustee for 8 years on the Fullerton Union High School District Board. He will be remembered for his positive outlook and love of life. He is survived by his wife, Miriam; and his two sons, Steve and John from his first wife Carolyn, who preceded Peter in death. He is also survived by two daughter-in-laws, Cinda Churm and Cathy Churm; seven grandchildren, as well two stepdaughters, Katy Krupp and Caroline Miller, and her husband, Scott, and stepdaughter, Jillian. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hoag Hospital Foundation in support of the stroke program. Donations in Peter's memory can be made online, www.hoaghospitalfoundation.org, or sent to Hoag Hospital Foundation, 500 Superior, Suite 350, Newport Beach, CA 92663. A Celebration of Life for Peter will be held at 11 a.m. on January 23, 2012 at Newport Harbor Yacht Club, 720 West Bay Ave., Newport Beach, CA.