Peter Lessing died peacefully on Nov. 27, 2022, at Mon Health Medical Center. Husband, father, grandfather, geologist, inventor of Post-It Notes, Cold War secret agent, Antarctic explorer*, avid deer hunter, photographer, golfer and poker player, Pete was born in 1938 and grew up in Tenafly, N.J. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Lawrence University, then went on to Dartmouth College for a Master of Science and Syracuse University for a Ph.D. Pete returned to St. Lawrence as faculty for five years and in 1971, moved to Morgantown with a young family as a senior geologist with the WV Geological and Economic Survey. Pete came as close to becoming a true West Virginian as any Jersey carpetbagger possibly could.
As the creator of 95% of all dad jokes*, Pete would make observations like “People are dying to go there” as he drove past a cemetery, or, after returning from a field trip on the job in southern West Virginia, he mentioned going to a bar where “they served both kinds of beer, Pabst on tap and Pabst in a can.” Pete’s ability to write a witty poem for various milestones in friends’ lives is legendary. He could speak what sounded like fluent French … until confronted with actual Frenchmen, and then the skill suddenly escaped him. Pete would correct the table manners of his children with the warning that any elbows on the table would get them jailed by the Queen of England. His connection to British royalty was never clear.
Pete is survived by the love of his life and wife of 57 years, Katherine, and by his twin brother Erik; his son, Derek (Cathy); daughter Gretchen (Dan); granddaughters, Ellen and Audrey; many lifelong friends; and scores of lovers* and unacknowledged children* on all seven continents (yes, including Antarctica*).
Certain *assertions made above have not been fact-checked and should be treated with skepticism. What is most definitely true is this: Pete will be sorely missed by family and friends. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the ASPCA in remembrance of Peter and his love of dogs and cats (https://tinyurl.com/58s2b2bu) or to a charity of your choice.
Smith Funeral & Cremation Care of Westover/Morgantown is providing guidance to the family.
