Peter Hans Koelsch, formerly of Santa Barbara, passed away at the age of 83 on January 10, 2022, after a long illness. Peter was born July 15, 1938, in Siegen, Germany. After attending engineering college and working for an engineering firm, Peter emigrated to the United States in 1959, and began working in Springfield, Illinois for an affiliated engineering firm. His search for a new life in America was interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1961. During his deployment in Fairbanks, Alaska, he met and married Monique, becoming a father to Monique’s sons Steven and Paul. Together they would add daughter Veronique to the family.
Peter fell in love with Santa Barbara during a family road trip down the coast and decided to make it his home. One of Peter’s proudest accomplishments was earning his private pilot’s license and later his instructor rating. His proficiency allowed him to earn his living as a flight instructor. Always striving for greater achievement, Peter studied to become a real estate appraiser and would go on to establish his own successful appraisal company, Real Estate Appraisers and Consultants of Santa Barbara in 1975. During his career he obtained his general contractor’s license, and developed, built and managed multiple condominium projects in Santa Barbara. Peter retired in 2000.
Tennis was Peter’s passion. He made many lifelong friends playing regularly at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, in various tennis leagues, as well as with his many friends in the Montecito “Mafia.” Later in life Peter spent many enjoyable hours playing golf.
Peter had a zest for life and will be greatly missed by his family and the many friends he made throughout his amazing life. Peter leaves behind his life partner of 20 years, Pamela, his children, Steven and Veronique and son-in-law Danny, step son Richard, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. He is also survived by a brother, sister and brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews in Germany and Austria.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.