Peter Lossner

Peter Lossner Obituary

Peter Alan Lossner, 74, died suddenly November 1, 2015, at home in Lake Oswego, of an apparent heart attack.

Pete was born June 16, 1941, in Salem, OR, the first of three children born to Ann and Chet Lossner. The family lived on a 10-acre berry farm in the Four Corners area southeast of Salem.

Pete graduated from South Salem High School in 1959 and from Oregon State University in 1965. He obtained a private pilot’s license in 1964. He was active in Air Force ROTC in college and entered the Air Force in 1965.

He was stationed at Air Force bases in Texas, Michigan, Tennessee, California, Guam and Japan. With the rank of Captain, he flew B-52 missions over Vietnam for six months, as well as flying over China. He left the Air Force in 1971.

Pete married Mary Jo Fitzpatrick in Salem at St. Joseph’s in 1965. Their daughter Christi was born in 1967 in Michigan. The family accompanied Pete while he was stationed in Japan and elsewhere. Pete and Mary Jo divorced in 1975.

After Air Force service, Pete returned to Oregon State University where he earned a degree in accounting. He joined the Seattle office of the U.S. General Accounting Office in 1973 and the family settled in Bothell, WA. In the mid 1980s, Pete joined the audit staff of the Bonneville Power Administration and moved to the Portland area.

Pete enjoyed fishing and crabbing, especially salmon fishing in the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean. He also enjoyed chukar, duck and elk hunting. He had just returned from the friends’ annual chukar hunt outing in Eastern Oregon two days before his death.

Pete had dogs most of his adult life, beginning with Duchess, a German Shepherd, and then several Golden Retrievers. For many years, he had four Golden Retrievers at the same time.

Pete retired from the Bonneville Power Administration in 2011. He attended church and exercised at a gym daily. He had collections of Persian rugs, scotch liquor, and fishing poles. He was very patriotic.

Pete was preceded in death by sister Susan in 1999.

Survivors include daughter Christi Lossner of Portland, brother Michael Lossner of Georgia, friend Liz Taylor of West Linn, five nephews, one niece, and three Golden Retrievers, Mary, Joy and Studly.

Services will be held Monday, November 9, 11 a.m., at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 650 “A” Street, Lake Oswego, OR, with Riverview Abby, Portland, in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to one of the following – Dove Lewis, Humane Society, The Downtown Chapel, Our Lady of the Lake or Catholic Relief Services.

Facts Born: June 16, 1941
Death: November 1, 2015

Memorial Donations Memorial donations can be made to:
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to one of the following – Dove Lewis, Humane Society, The Downtown Chapel, Our Lady of the Lake or Catholic Relief Services.

Services

You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Peter Lossner

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One reply on “Peter Lossner”

Pete was an OSU Air Force ROTC classmate of mine, graduating in 1965. The thing I admired most about him was the way he could inspire young people. Best told in his own words…

“Howdy-

Thought you might be interested in how the Vietnam presentation went to the Cub Scouts.

They had just gotten back from the “Wall” in Portland and at age 6 – 10, I doubt if they understood much. I dont know what happened to the time but my 15 minutes turned into 30 minutes and they wanted more.

Sherry Hough (wife of Col. Claude Hough “65” deceased) suggested incorporating teaching techniques of predict or participate and it was perfect. The kids were about 6 – 10 years old and I stood outside watching them as we were waiting for the building to be unlocked. They were boys, totally. It was like someone wound them up, added caffeine, and off they went. Everywhere. Climbed, ran, etc.

So, it was not an audience that you could ever get serious with. They had a nice introduction for me and I started out by displaying my Oregon State University Beaver T-shirt (this is the “hook” to OSU) and saying “Go Beavers.”

Well, some of them were University of Oregon fans and booed. So, thats when we started the “team work” thing saying we all have these little rivalries but when the United States is attacked, we are all on the same team and work together. They understood.

Then while I was talking, I put on my flight suit and showed some framed pictures of the crew, the B-52, and then I got over my stage fright (there were about 50 kids and their parents at the meeting) and remembered to let them predict and participate.

They have amazing curiosity and their questions were fun. I even had the parents participating.

I asked what all the zippers were for on the flight suit and answers were funny and included such things as “so you (can) have pockets.”

Anyway, we got around to carrying things for survival and as planned, that is when I pulled out the bible and I reminded them that in the pledge of allegiance they said at the beginning the meeting, they had said “One Nation Under God.” One smart kid asked why I carried the bible and I said so I could read it! and he seemed satisfied.

They wanted to know how much gas the B-52 carried, how much it cost to fill up, who paid for it, the names of each crew member, what they did, where do you sleep at night, how long does it take to start the airplane, and a million other questions.

I have to say that the only mistake I made was putting on Claude Houghs helmet (Sherry Hough sent it to me as I gave mine to my nephew 30 years ago). The room stopped and kids went “Ooh, Ahh,” and I let them try it on and thats when the “fight” broke out, each one wanting to get his turn at wearing it.

The Scoutmaster had to break things up and promised to let them each wear it after the meeting.

We talked with our hands, talked about O2, talked about how long it took (to learn) to fly, how the ejection seats worked and how parachutes worked. Another asked what I would do if the parachute didnt open and I didnt miss a beat and pulled out my bible and said “read this.” The parents laughed. In other words, we had lots of fun. I was on my way back to my seat and they stopped me and presented me with a wood and bronze plaque that says,

“Thanks. To “Hometown Hero” Pete Lossner from Cub Scout Pack 110 Riverdale Grade School”

Beats a Distinguished Flying Cross.

Pete

11/09/2015
Art Ashton
Pete was my friend for over 20 years. It was an honor to know him. One of the most patriotic person I have ever known. I will certainly miss my friend. Gods comfort for his family and the many friends he had. Love you and miss you my friend.
11/07/2015