Well Done, Uncle Peter
WELL DONE, UNCLE PETERYesterday another one of our heroes went home to be with the Lord after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Known to thousands as "Uncle Peter," Peter Kolody was one of those heroes that made an impact on my life. He was one of those guys who was just there when you needed him. God gifted him in so many ways. He was an incredible cook as well as a skilled plumber.
During my childhood our church made it possible for kids to earn a free week at a Christian camp. To earn the free week, we had to memorize Bible verses -- and lots of them. The cool thing was that we thought the memorization of God's Word was to get the free week at Camp Sandy Cove or Camp Sandy Hill. But the real motivation was to get us kids to hide God's Word in our hearts.
We were each assigned someone to "hear" our verses, and guess who I was assigned to? Uncle Peter! Each week he faithfully listened to my verses and encouraged me to keep at it. But the biggest surprise of my life was when I got to Camp Sandy Hill, guess who our cook was that week? Uncle Peter!
Years later I was attending Philadelphia Biblical University as a part-time student. I was assigned to work in the maintenance department for several months and guess who was our plumber? Uncle Peter! In fact, Peter went on to serve for many years at PBU both at the center city campus and then at the campus in Langhorne. I don't think the University has a clue how many lives this gentle giant has impacted over his thirty five years on staff.
At our Memorial Day weekend concert, we honored Uncle Peter. He was a hero in his own right for serving our country in the Navy having been assigned to naval ship, Gambier Bay. Hundreds of men's lives were taken on October 25, 1944. His story is powerful and God used his testimony to encourage thousands as he quietly shared how God had spared his life in an amazing way.
His story will never be on Fox News. In fact, my guess is that very few of our Keswick family even know who he was. But he was a faithful servant of the Lord, and a good friend and mentor. I will miss his smile and his wit. I will miss his encouragement and prayers. I know that our loss is heaven's gain. And I have a sneaky suspicion that after he has had some time to see his Savior, a little blonde girl by the name of Lindsay Bear, who Uncle Peter adored and prayed for, ran over for a big hug ... and Uncle Pete's famous line would be -- "Hey, there doll!" Uncle Peter -- we love you! Thanks for your ministry in all of our lives. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK.
God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 10:12; Acts 19:1-20
Think about this: He has great tranquility of heart who cares neither for the praises nor the fault-finding of men. He will easily be content and pacified, whose conscience is pure. You are not holier if you are praised, nor the more worthless if you are found fault with. What you are, that you are;
neither by word can you be made greater than what you are in the sight of God. -- Thomas a Kempis
posted by Bill Welte @ 6:49 AM
13 comments
13 Comments:
It sounds as if he was a wonderful man. I'm one of the millions of people who could have used an Uncle Peter in my life. I did not have God in my life until the age of 43. I was not aware of the peace and comfort I was missing. An influence such as Uncle Peter may have pointed me to His path, as I'm sure it did for countless others. God bless him.
Uncle Pete was a great guy. I knew him over a 30-year period at PBU. He always had a good word for everyone (especially the co-eds). He never missed a home game for any of the sport teams and was a regular at concerts and other activities. He's already been missed at PBU as I'm sure he will be at Kewsick.
Bill,
What a terrific illustration of a life well lived. It proves that the most important light is not the chandelier or spot light but but the 15-25 watt bulb that keeps you from breaking a hip or falling down the stairs on the way to the bathroom.
We are praying for you and Keswick everyday. The trials of life may make us feel like we are in the furnace. As sure as God put us there we know He is right there with us.
One verse that may encourage you as it has me recently is Isaiah 46:4. God has a plan since He made us and if He isn't walking beside us, He said He will carry us. We don't need EMT we need the GCY=God carries you!
In Christian Love,
Pastor Bill Vogt
Uncle Pete was a wonderful blessing from God for the entire PBU family. In addition, he faithfully ministered to my late wife, Linda, and me with his word of encouragement and other expressions of his love to us.
I will never forget Pete's special work for the University in closing the Philly campus in 1979. He was the last employee to vacate the Arch Street property. Now he is enjoying his greatest relocation--to be with his Saviour Jesus Christ.
W. Sherrill Babb
Uncle Pete as a wonderfuol blessing from God to the entire PBU family. In additon he greatly encouraged my late wife, Linda, and I for nearly 30 years at the University. He always had a special word or gift to bring joy to Linda. I will never forget his last months of work for PBU at the down town campus. He was the last employee to vacate the Arch Street property
Uncle Pete and I attended the same church in Langhorne. He would always send encouraging notes to the college students that attended our church. It didn't matter if he knew them or not. He attended my daughter's wedding and reception even though he barely knew her personally. He so enjoyed any time of fellowship. What a joy he was as he greated me every Sunday and asked about the kids. I'm sure God has a special mansion prepared for him and I'm looking forward to seeing him again someday. Well done, Pete.
Evelyn Yerkes
Uncle Peter was a faithful servant as well as a pillar in our church's community at Langhorne Terrace Baptist Church. He was always faithful and you could find him every Sunday he wasn't serving somewhere else on the "organ-side" of the sanctuary in the last row, in the end seat. I will always remember how he would "light-up" when we would greet and the firm handshake or hug that would follow. His smile and humor will not be soon forgotten. In my mind's eye, I will remember him as "Mr. PCB/PBU"....he loved the students and his role on campus. The Langhorne community at large will certainly miss such a gracious man and a "Warrior Prince" of the faith! Our condolences to his family and friends and our love to the memory of a soul whom God truly used to touch many lives!
Rev.Dr.Warren & Sandy Saul
I came to PBU in 2001 as an international student. For one year I lived in the dorms at Penndel before moving into a rented room across the street. Many are times when Uncle Pete came for me and took me to Clemens and bought my grocery for me. I recall when my family joined me here late in 2003, Uncle Pete showed up at our door with lots of food for us. We have a mutual friend who lives in MA. Whenever he was down here in PA, the three of us went out to eat and savored on Uncle Pete's stories (well, he repeated himself often like many men his age would, but we enjoyed it anyhow).
When I learned of his illness I went to visit him at the hospital with my family on Sunday, July 13, but we were turned away and asked to contact his family. Well, that was it, we shall not see Uncle Pete again...in this life. I will miss a dear friend. He was, in word and deed, such a decent and godly person
I once read this ..Memories are a treasure no one can steal, separation is a wound no one can heal...EXCEPT JESUS, the author seem to have forgotten to add, or didn't know it!
May all those who knew and loved Uncle Pete be encouraged by this ..Blessed are those who die in the Lord (Rev 14:13)
Uncle Peter! He was an icon, for sure! (and I say that in a pure Christian way) I'm certain he's so happy to be in heaven, healthy and whole! What a reunion we will all have! He was practically the one-man maintenance team in the old days of PCB in center city. He was everywhere, fixing this, adjusting that. And always with a smile, a greeting, and a joke. He was everybody's friend.
I met Uncle Pete at Philadelphia Biblical University. He barely knew me, but he was always encouraging, loving, and caring. He was a great blessing to many people. I never saw him without a huge smile -- his eyes happily twinkling as he made his way through the world. I can only imagine his happiness now, in the arms of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
The School of Music at PBU knew Uncle Pete as the most faithful concert AND recital attender of all time. Whether it was a student recital, guest recital, faculty recital, opera presentation, or the orchestra and band concerts, as long as he was able he came without exception. We all knew and loved him and appreciated his enthusiastic support for years. We miss him each time we gather for music events!
Dr. Paul Isensee, Dean
School of Music and Performing Arts
Philadelphia Biblical University
You could not help but like Uncle Pete from the first instant you met him. He made you feel welcome right away. I will never forget his interest in my son and now daughter-in-law setting up housekeeping. It was the end of the school year. Many furniture item were being disposed of at the Penndel dumpster. A perfectley good dresser being one. Uncle Pete took the drawers out and put them in his apartment so no one would take the dresser. Then he called my kids to come get it. Uncle Pete served his Lord at PCB/PBU tirelessly. Only eternity will reveal the lives he touched for the Lord.
Uncle Pete was a loving and caring man. I will always remember how he entertained the young women in the dorms who were not attending the Spring Formal. He had them dress up, and take them to a fine restaurant that evening. How special each one felt. PBU was his home and how he cared for it. He gave up his social life to care for a plumbing problem on a Saturday or Sunday even if he wasn't on call. He also inquired about ill students. He was a joyful presence not only through out PBU but in the Health Center.
He loved the Lord and now he is dwelling with him. How exciting.
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