Peter K. Sour

1935 - 05

Peter Kenneth Sour, 82, died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 6, 2017, at his home at Rockledge Farm, Sewickley Heights. Born May 24, 1935, he was the son of the late Jane Erstein Sour and Robert B. Sour, and step-son of Geraldine Scofield Sour and William "Billy" Carr, all of New York City. Raised in an environment of musical theater where his father was a famous songwriter in the 1930s, and then co-founder and president of Broadcast Music Inc., Peter had a lifelong love of musicals that he shared with his wife, Susan Ratcliffe Sour. He participated in Child Health shows and was a strong baritone voice around any piano that played his favorite songs. This spring he presented a well-researched paper on the history of musical theater from "Yankee Doodle Dandy" to the rap sensation "Hamilton" for the Query Club in Sewickley, of which he was a past president. Peter graduated from St. George's School in Newport, R.I., attended Cornell University, then graduated from the University of New Haven and Harvard's Advanced Management Program. He served in the Navy for four years aboard the USS Saratoga. A proud veteran, he delighted in corresponding with his navy buddies around the United States, and regularly participated in the Veterans Day program at Sewickley Academy. A true patriot, Peter followed local and national politics avidly, maintaining his own political blog and assisting in the election campaigns for Keith Rothfus and Mark Mustio locally. Peter began his business career at Nestle Alimentana (General Foods) in White Plains, N.Y., and Vevey, Switzerland, with his previous wife Evelyn Obbard and their two small children. He came to Sewickley as Chief Financial Officer for Dravo Mechling Barge Line where he later became vice president of sales. Moving to Columbus in 1982 with his wife Susan, he served as chief operating officer for a barge line start-up with American Electric Power. Later, in Cleveland and Toledo, he held a variety of positions at Leaseway Transportation, Mitchell Transport, Harris Transducer, Bulk Materials Inc., and New Waste Concepts. He felt most rewarded by his final assignment as a turn-around specialist for a not-for-profit, inner city Cleveland women's addiction center. Peter's favorite pastime for many years was fly-fishing in trout streams in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. For the past 35 years, he enjoyed time spent each summer at beautiful Chautauqua Lake. A capable handyman, he and his wife Susan turned several fixer-uppers into comfortable housing wherever they lived. A dog lover and trainer, Peter and his favorite Newfoundland, Panda Bear, did animal therapy for patients at local nursing homes. Peter is survived by his wife of 37 years; his son, Peter W. Sour (Beth); and daughters, Callie and Gwen, of Marietta, Ohio; his daughter, Alex Sour and son Nick Rocco, of Cleveland; stepson Kemp Fuller (Shelly) and their daughters, Jamie, Jessica, and Jayden, of Haworth, Okla.; sisters, Bonnie Anderson, of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Jean Raben, of Riverside, Conn.; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Thomas Sour, of Rye, N.Y.
The family welcomes visitors from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, at Rockledge Farm, 743 Fern Hollow Road, Sewickley Heights, and at the celebration of life to be held there at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 10. Arrangements by COPELAND'S SEWICKLEY.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Mario Melodia Scholarship for the Performing Arts at Sewickley Academy, or the Union Aid Society in Sewickley.