R. Peter Kollasch

R. Peter Kollasch

Iowa City

Pete Kollasch grew up on a farm north of Bancroft, Iowa, with his parents, Albert C. and Sylvia A. Kollasch, nee Nurre and seven brothers and sisters. He received a classical education through the Catholic school, Crosier Brothers Prep Seminary and St. Mary’s University. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army. Pete earned his master’s degree at the University of Iowa in computer science. During his career as a computer programmer and remote sensing analyst, he was employed by the Iowa Geological Survey, Ducks Unlimited, the USDA Forestry Division and the Earth Satellite Corporation.

He had a particular love for the prairie landscape and as a Botanist, Pete was a walking dictionary of prairie and woodland plant nomenclature. He knew equally well the names of the plants in common usage. He excelled at finding native prairie remnants along highway ditches, railroad tracks, near old church cemeteries, along fence lines and under old transmission towers.

He had a passion for Genealogy and taught himself to decipher and translate Old German and Latin script.

Pete was always open to hikes, games and cards, working on home projects, sharing what he had and helping others to achieve their goals. He was loyal, loving, honest and kind.

He was predeceased by his parents; an older brother Albert J. Kollasch MD; and brother-in-law, Barry E. Burke.

He leaves his wife, Tricia Knox; son, Saeed Hassan; brothers and sisters, Dave (Jeanie), Joe (Marilyn), Mary Lou, Bill (Angie), Kathleen (Sharon) and Sylvia (Jeff); along with his daughters-in-law; two granddaughters; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A complete obituary may be seen at www.lensingfuneral.com.