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Peter Dessaules Obituary
Peter, or "Pete" as many knew him, was born November 30, 1946, to Erich and Martha Dessaules. A Baby Boomer born in Germany following World War II, Peter emigrated to the United States with his family via the MV Italia in 1955. The eldest of three boys, Peter is survived by brothers Eric and Ernst. The family settled in Westerly, Rhode Island. He graduated from Westerly High School in 1966. He enlisted in the Navy after high school and was honored recently to find his name among those engraved on the town's veterans' memorial monument. He only wished the town had not misspelled his name on the monument.
His family will remember him fondly for his ability to repeat the same anecdotes for years and, in some cases, decades. He was generous to a fault. Someone complimenting a laptop bag, briefcase, or other accessory of his might find themselves taking it home with them or find it in the mail a few weeks later, a strategy he devised, we believe, to justify replacing it with three more. While there is no evidence of him literally giving the shirt off his back to anyone, he was certainly known to share all his toys.
Lisa Boice, his wife, survives him. He is also survived by children Jennifer Carriere, Jonathan Dessaules, Idell Weise, and Emily Weise-King, and grandchildren Anthony, Ruby, Sophie, Stella, Remy, and Malcolm.
"He was wont to speak plain and to the purpose."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Peter Dessaules
Ali Tabatabai
May 22, 2025
Your absence in leading the path is felt. Rest in peace Pete..
Leigh Gunn
May 21, 2025
We're still missing you Pete, and as always could use your advice once again. Rest is Peace dear friend.
Bob Byers jr.
December 28, 2023
Pete was a friend of mine while living in Hagerstown MD. I met Pete at the Hagerstown chess club. He played very good chess and beat me many times, but I enjoyed playing. He gave me chess sets, I´d usually give them away too. I did keep a few chess sets including one from Paris France. I have many memories with Pete and even installed a water heater on thanksgiving day. He was a generous man who was always giving. I´ll miss Pete for sure!
Jon
June 18, 2023
Some people have asked about where to send flowers. Below is that information::
Service
Jul. 2, 2023
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
298 Peters Ave
Lancaster OH 43130
Jim Crabtree
June 14, 2023
Pete was such a great friend and mentor. I learned so much from him about work, agency politics, and life in general. By far the best part of my twenty-nine years at the Department of Energy were the years working with Pete. Working on NMMSS and hanging out with Pete was one of the great experiences of my life.
All my love to Lisa and the family.
Jim Crabtree
Krystall Dunaway
June 11, 2023
Dearest Lisa, I was so sad to hear of Peter´s passing. I´m sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Tim
June 6, 2023
Pete, Hafida and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Lily Lee
June 5, 2023
My condolences and prayers for your loss.
Leigh B. Gunn
June 5, 2023
Our deepest sympathies go out to Pete's wife and all his extended family.
Pete was a wonderful colleague who is already greatly missed.
With sincere sadness,
-Leigh Gun and family.
Ali Tabatabai
June 3, 2023
Rest in peace Pete. It´s been an honor... Ali
Ed & Darcy Davis
June 2, 2023
Lisa our sincere condolences to you and family. You are in our prayers for comfort and strength for each day. Darcy& Ed Davis
Mary Talbert
June 2, 2023
Lisa! I am so sorry for your loss! Such a sweet man! I have fond memories of him! My prayers go out to you and the families
Carol Maxwell
June 2, 2023
Lisa, I am holding you in my arms and prayers. So sorry for your loss.
Love, Carol
Friedrich Bonnemann
May 31, 2023
Lisa in our youth Pete and his family were like part of my own. I am so thankful for the years we all shared together. Pete was a great conversation master. He even let me play a chess game to a draw one time. Oh where did the time go. I am so blind sided by his passing. To all Pete's family and friends please allow me to have of moment of respectful mourning with you.
Tim Strickland
May 31, 2023
Pete was plain spoken and honest. I will always have fond memories of him, even when the NMMSS meetings were in New Orleans. Tim Strickland, ret. PGDP 2014.
David Crawford
May 30, 2023
Pete was a special colleague and great guy.
David Crawford
Joanne Hayes
May 30, 2023
R.I.P. Peter. Thank you for two wonderful children.
Jeff Allender
May 30, 2023
Pete was a gigantic friend and colleague who I worked with in many roles over more than 30 years. He was always loyal and generous, and you'd run into him in unexpected places around the world where he made critical partnerships that have, I hope, will have a significant contribution to world peace while giving credit to everybody else. He had a lot more to offer. Best wishes and sympathy to Lisa in this tough time.
John E Gray
May 29, 2023
Peter was a dear man who also loved to give away not just computer bags, but chess paraphernalia as well. Many chess players benefited from his generosity after playing a speed chess game or two with him. We traded chess sets because he thought I needed a good low center of inertia wooden chess set to play speed chess with him. Besides playing fearice games of speed chess with me, we would engage in conversations about nuclear physics and poliferation and what do about it. After my retirement, we were planning to start traveling to chess tournaments together and writing some essays on different topics of mutual interest, collocating Lisis and Pat together so they would not get into mischief while we did. His advice to me after retirement was "Do something, preferably with me, to make a difference in the world." He certainly did... Pat and I will miss him terribly. All our best to his family, John and Pat
Eric Dessaules Sr
May 29, 2023
To Jonathan, Jennifer, Lisa and the rest of the circle of family and friends that my brother Peter held dear: My heart goes out to you at this difficult time in your lives.
It has been therapeutic for me to go through the family photo albums and share the different phases of Peter's life with you.
I hope that they will help bridge the gap that now exists between us and Peter.
God bless!
Tim Beckham
May 28, 2023
I am truly saddened to learn of Pete´s passing. I worked with him at the US Department of Energy for many years and learned much from him. He was truly generous with his knowledge, possessions, and stories. I still have the briefcase he gave me. He was a very smart guy. He was a loyal American who was passionate about nuclear nonproliferation and I was honored to assist him in the NMMSS program. I will miss him very much. My heartfelt condolences go to Lisa and the rest of his family.
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
1971 Hiking in Baxter State Park, Maine on the way to climb Mt. Katahdin, with stepmom Heidi
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
1966 graduation
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
2003 Pops 90th birthday
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
Peter with Pop and brothers
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
1983 in Richland Washington, I believe
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
1979, no doubt being thoughtful about a chess move
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
Christmas 1977, Eric, Ernie, stepmom Heidi, Peter
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
Peter and Jennifer 1987
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
From left, Son Jonathan, Peter, daughter Jennifer
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
Father and son
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
Getting ready for a day of water skiing, Eric, Ernst and Peter.
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
A family day at the pond, 1962, from left: Peter, brother Ernst, mother Martha, brother Eric, father Erich
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
Junior high school picture
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
Peters first day in school, custom was the student gets a cone shaped container of goodies.
Jon
May 28, 2023
Jon
May 28, 2023
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
Peter loved chess
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
Peter on a good fishing day, on a bad day we would just catch lobster pots.
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
Brother Peter in Germany 1954
Eric Dessaules
May 28, 2023
Peter, my oldest brother, was the first in our family to slalom ski. Here you see him with 2 skis ready to graduate to 1.
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