For three long, difficult years, we've toiled to live our lives without your presence and valued counsel. Your light went out as you struggled to survive, leaving us adrift. Yet, the tragedy of your passing is tempered by the many fond memories that return to us daily. And through those treasured memories, we've come to understand the truth of your life and diligently work to pass it on.
Peter Michael Solstad was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, onJuly 31, 1945. The third son of Herbert A. and Virginia B. Solstad, he was a 1963 graduate of Mound, Minnesota High School. Receiving his bachelor's degree and U.S. Army Commission from the University of Minnesota in 1968, 2d Lieutenant Solstad entered active duty, assigned to the Army Signal Corps. He served two tours of duty at Camp Redcloud near Uijongbu, South Korea. During this time, he met and married Kim Chun Cha, his beloved wife of 40 years. Chun passed away in 2010, but during their long marriage, Peter and Chun raised their two lovely daughters.
Leaving the active military in 1975, Peter returned to Minnesota to join the Army Reserves, eventually retiring with the rank of Major. In 1986 he accepted a position as a systems manager in the Department of the Air Force, serving at posts in Minneapolis, the Pentagon in Washington, and at Hickam Air Base in Hawaii, where he served as Director of the Resources Division, Pacific Air Command. After 28 years of federal service, he retired in 2006, continuing to make his home in his beloved Hawaii.
Peter was a prolific reader and published writer, and these pursuits kept him busy in retirement. For the last 20 years, he spent summers in his native Minnesota, cruising the Mississippi andSt. Croix Rivers on his ancient and beloved Chris Craft. In recent years, however, his most cherished pursuit was being a doting grandfather and mentor to his precious grandson Lucas.
To say that Peter is missed would be quite an understatement. He was a wonderful son, brother, father, and a loyal and generous friend to so many that an attempt to enumerate them would be a futile gesture.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
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