Obituary for Peter Lems Jr.
Peter Lems was a world traveler, musician, engineer, designer, husband, father, grandfather but above all else a kind and bright soul.
Born in Indonesia, raised in The Netherlands (a refugee under Nazi occupation), at his brother’s encouragement he emigrated to America for a chance to live the dream that few had the opportunity to realize back then. He never had a plan for any of it, just "this sounds like a fun adventure!"
The son of a sea captain, he spent his first years of life on Dutch merchant marine ships sailing in the South China Sea. He was born with the urge to tinker. Mechanical, electrical, magnetic, all moving parts caught his imagination and he kept that fascination all through his engineering education and career. He had a 40 year career as a mechanical engineer with Signode Corporation eventually rising to the position of Vice President of Engineering. He is the inventor/author of 18 US patents of steel strapping machines and their components.
He passed that how-things-work thrill down to his descendants. One son and two grandchildren went on to study engineering and pursue technical careers and he loved hearing about their studies and projects.
But he wasn't just a mechanical genius, he was an empathetic, funny, creative and musical man. He learned how to play ragtime piano by spending time in British barracks with soldiers after D-day broke the shackles of occupation and turned the tides of war. He played those songs regularly for the rest of his life, all the way up until the end when most other memories had left him. He always had a bright smile, kind words, and a joke with a real groaner of a punch line.
After serving in the US Army from 1953 to 1955 which secured his naturalized US citizenship, he and Nancy met and started their family. It was many years of bliss growing up in Wilmette, Illinois where he converted the back yard into an expanse of dahlias, meticulously growing enormous beautiful colorful flowers for all to enjoy all summer long. The family took many trips, but the ones that were most impactful to both of his children were the ones taken to Colorado, and eventually the whole family ended up living out there, in awe of how magical the place is.
After Nancy passed in 2021, Peter moved into the Bella Vista memory care facility in Boulder, CO. He thrived there, passing on his infectious happiness to all staff and residents who he encountered. Even towards the end his smile and retorts of "what a lifestyle!" brought tears of happiness to many. Peter showed us all that in the end, when all else is stripped away, it is kindness and a smile that matters more than anything else in this world.
Peter was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Lems, parents, Maria and Peter Lems Sr., sisters Henny and Mieke, and brother Bill Lems (Sue). He is survived by daughter Maurine Repucci (Mike) and son Greg Lems (Sarah), brother Hans Lems (Nel), four grandchildren Alex Repucci (Taylor Champoux), Peter Repucci (Jing Cao), Katrina Lems and Megan Lems.
A memorial will be planned for a future date.
Born in Indonesia, raised in The Netherlands (a refugee under Nazi occupation), at his brother’s encouragement he emigrated to America for a chance to live the dream that few had the opportunity to realize back then. He never had a plan for any of it, just "this sounds like a fun adventure!"
The son of a sea captain, he spent his first years of life on Dutch merchant marine ships sailing in the South China Sea. He was born with the urge to tinker. Mechanical, electrical, magnetic, all moving parts caught his imagination and he kept that fascination all through his engineering education and career. He had a 40 year career as a mechanical engineer with Signode Corporation eventually rising to the position of Vice President of Engineering. He is the inventor/author of 18 US patents of steel strapping machines and their components.
He passed that how-things-work thrill down to his descendants. One son and two grandchildren went on to study engineering and pursue technical careers and he loved hearing about their studies and projects.
But he wasn't just a mechanical genius, he was an empathetic, funny, creative and musical man. He learned how to play ragtime piano by spending time in British barracks with soldiers after D-day broke the shackles of occupation and turned the tides of war. He played those songs regularly for the rest of his life, all the way up until the end when most other memories had left him. He always had a bright smile, kind words, and a joke with a real groaner of a punch line.
After serving in the US Army from 1953 to 1955 which secured his naturalized US citizenship, he and Nancy met and started their family. It was many years of bliss growing up in Wilmette, Illinois where he converted the back yard into an expanse of dahlias, meticulously growing enormous beautiful colorful flowers for all to enjoy all summer long. The family took many trips, but the ones that were most impactful to both of his children were the ones taken to Colorado, and eventually the whole family ended up living out there, in awe of how magical the place is.
After Nancy passed in 2021, Peter moved into the Bella Vista memory care facility in Boulder, CO. He thrived there, passing on his infectious happiness to all staff and residents who he encountered. Even towards the end his smile and retorts of "what a lifestyle!" brought tears of happiness to many. Peter showed us all that in the end, when all else is stripped away, it is kindness and a smile that matters more than anything else in this world.
Peter was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Lems, parents, Maria and Peter Lems Sr., sisters Henny and Mieke, and brother Bill Lems (Sue). He is survived by daughter Maurine Repucci (Mike) and son Greg Lems (Sarah), brother Hans Lems (Nel), four grandchildren Alex Repucci (Taylor Champoux), Peter Repucci (Jing Cao), Katrina Lems and Megan Lems.
A memorial will be planned for a future date.