I too remember Peter from when I was about 6 -7 when he lived just down the street from us. My mom speaks German and Peter's mom (grandma?) would have good conversations while Peter and I hung out. He was always very quiet and kind. Condolences to the family.
Rest In Peace, Peter. I clearly remember the Striflers coming to live in Dixon around 1959 I believe. Peter's father bought the tailoring business of Mr. Frank Foreman in a basement on the northeast corner of S. Hennepin and W. 1st street downtown near the Fulmer (Hess) Bookstore and the Brooks Drugstore. Since Mr Foreman was a long time member of Bethel Evangelical Congregational Church (known by most as the Jesus Saves Church) at the northeast corner of N. Galena and E Morgan St where my father George Ralph was the pastor, the Striflers often attended church there and I met Peter in Sunday School. He could not speak English very well but learned it quickly. My family moved from Dixon in 1963 and I never had any contact with Peter after that. My sympathy to the Strifler family.
Pete and I were best friends during high school, walking to school together ()across the Peoria Avenue bridge which was quite frigid in winter), and going to football and basketball games together, home and away. We were often guests at each other's homes; my mother wondering why I couldn't be more gentlemanly like Peter, and his mother wondering why he couldn't be more scholarly like me. We doubled to prom, and got to ride in his sky blue convertible. We lost touch for a while post-college, but I got a chance to get to know him during his teaching days at Tremont High School.
Judging from the dozens of posts from former students on his Facebook page, Pete must have been an outstanding teacher who made an impact on his students. Our friendship certainly made an impact on me. I'm so sorry he didn't get more time to enjoy his retirement back in his home country of Germany. Rest in peace, Pete.
If you all have seen David Janssen's post of our very large second-grade class at South Central School, you will see Peter's cherubic face in the second row, I believe.
Bob Ralph recalls so many details about the Strifler family moving from Germany to Dixon and Mr. Strifler's fine work as a tailor downtown.
I was not as close to Peter as was Roger, but we were friends. I remember fondly his great sense of humor, always wide-open eyes, and very friendly manner.
I also remember most vividly Peter singing "Silent Night" ("Stille Nacht") at a Christmas program during what was probably his first year in Dixon. It was in German, of course, which I had never heard as a 7-year-old kid. How many of us had EVER heard German at that time in our lives? It was probably my second year of piano lessons, and music was just beginning to open so many doors to me. I just recall that Peter and "Stille Nacht" moved me very deeply.
Patricia O'Rorke (Scites)
My prayers & thoughts go out 2 the Strifler family at this most difficult time. May you RIP, Peter. Peace to everyone. Patricia O'Rorke Scites
Lola Laughrin (Watts)
I met Peter in maybe 4 or 5th grade at Lincoln School. He was always a sweet kid with a smile. Sorry to the Strfler family for their loss.
Rosemary Nix (Maresh)
I too remember Peter from when I was about 6 -7 when he lived just down the street from us. My mom speaks German and Peter's mom (grandma?) would have good conversations while Peter and I hung out. He was always very quiet and kind. Condolences to the family.
Craig Willett
Rest In Peace, Pete
Bob Ralph
Rest In Peace, Peter. I clearly remember the Striflers coming to live in Dixon around 1959 I believe. Peter's father bought the tailoring business of Mr. Frank Foreman in a basement on the northeast corner of S. Hennepin and W. 1st street downtown near the Fulmer (Hess) Bookstore and the Brooks Drugstore. Since Mr Foreman was a long time member of Bethel Evangelical Congregational Church (known by most as the Jesus Saves Church) at the northeast corner of N. Galena and E Morgan St where my father George Ralph was the pastor, the Striflers often attended church there and I met Peter in Sunday School. He could not speak English very well but learned it quickly. My family moved from Dixon in 1963 and I never had any contact with Peter after that. My sympathy to the Strifler family.
Roger Digges
Pete and I were best friends during high school, walking to school together ()across the Peoria Avenue bridge which was quite frigid in winter), and going to football and basketball games together, home and away. We were often guests at each other's homes; my mother wondering why I couldn't be more gentlemanly like Peter, and his mother wondering why he couldn't be more scholarly like me. We doubled to prom, and got to ride in his sky blue convertible. We lost touch for a while post-college, but I got a chance to get to know him during his teaching days at Tremont High School.
Judging from the dozens of posts from former students on his Facebook page, Pete must have been an outstanding teacher who made an impact on his students. Our friendship certainly made an impact on me. I'm so sorry he didn't get more time to enjoy his retirement back in his home country of Germany. Rest in peace, Pete.
Steven Egler
If you all have seen David Janssen's post of our very large second-grade class at South Central School, you will see Peter's cherubic face in the second row, I believe.
Bob Ralph recalls so many details about the Strifler family moving from Germany to Dixon and Mr. Strifler's fine work as a tailor downtown.
I was not as close to Peter as was Roger, but we were friends. I remember fondly his great sense of humor, always wide-open eyes, and very friendly manner.
I also remember most vividly Peter singing "Silent Night" ("Stille Nacht") at a Christmas program during what was probably his first year in Dixon. It was in German, of course, which I had never heard as a 7-year-old kid. How many of us had EVER heard German at that time in our lives? It was probably my second year of piano lessons, and music was just beginning to open so many doors to me. I just recall that Peter and "Stille Nacht" moved me very deeply.
RIP, Peter!
Merlin Willard
Peter had a quiet sense of humor that we shared teacher-pupil. He certainly was polite. My condolences to those close to him.
David Janssen