Peter Francis Lobo

Peter Francis Lobo was a man of indescribable talent and intellect. It is a challenge to put into words all that Peter was and is. To try and pigeonhole him is an exercise in futility. He was a true force of nature.

Peter was born in Chennai (formerly Madras) India in 1944 to Archibald and Lola Lobo. His lifelong passion for science, specifically engineering, started early while observing his father’s work for the Indian Railroad. Archibald shared his excitement of science with a young Peter, arranging tours of the train engines and building a self-propelled boat with not more than a piece of wood, tubing, and a candle. Lola, who was a force in her own right, instilled an appreciation of music and an even deeper love and sense of loyalty for family. Unfortunately, Peter found himself without a father at the age of 14 years when Archibald suddenly passed away. Despite this hardship, Peter persevered and gained entrance to the illustrious Indian Institute of Technology to begin his studies in engineering. After completing his schooling in India, he came to the United States to further his career where he completed his graduate education at the University of Rochester, NY in Chemical Engineering. He would use this knowledge to join the plastics industry, first working for Union Carbide and then Hoechst Celanese.

After moving to Charleston, West Virginia he began his family with the marriage to his wife June. June would come to realize that Peter was not just an engineer. He used to be an avid fencer during his time in West Virginia, at one point becoming a fencing instructor and winning the Charleston Fencing tournament. While in Rochester, New York, Peter had taken up folk dancing and eventually taught it. He would later share his enthusiasm for dance with June. In Charleston, both June and Peter obtained certificates in square dancing. June and Peter would have their son Stephen during their time in West Virginia. The family continued to grow after moving to Corpus Christi, Texas where they had their second son Neil.

The Lobo family would next travel to New Jersey where Peter continued his work at Hoechst Celanese. During this time, Peter continued to grow both personally and professionally. In addition to helping raise his young family, Peter developed a further interest in cycling. He joined the Central Jersey Bicycle Club, where he completed a century bike ride (100 miles in one day), but also shared in the experience by taking the whole family to the Tour of Somerville multiple times. Professionally, Peter and his colleagues at work developed a process for preparing low color polyarylates which resulted in a US patent. The Lobos would later relocate to the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati Area where they would continue to flourish. June would begin a career in the health information management section of a gastroenterology practice. Neil and Stephen would attend the prestigious Covington Latin School whose accelerated program reminded Peter of his time at the Indian Institute of Technology. The Lobo house reflects Peter’s love of the arts and literature. He was a voracious reader of all types of subjects in print. He saw books as doors to the knowledge of the world. This is exemplified in the family room library. The topics are far ranging including mathematics, science, music, mechanics, cooking, and geopolitics. Peter applied what he learned to great effect. He was able to teach himself how to play classical pieces of music on the guitar, paint in oil colors, and even perform maintenance on cars.

Peter spent many years at Hoechst Celanese and its different iterations, becoming a well-respected senior member of the team. He eventually did retire but was not keen on slowing down. Retirement afforded him time to his innumerable hobbies such as photography, MahJong, Scrabble, bridge, chess, gardening, mountain biking, tennis, and ping pong (table tennis), tinkering around with Subaru’s, and guiding the restoration of his grandmother’s Embergher acoustic guitar. Probably most importantly, he spent time with his beloved cat Elliot. The man could not be stopped.

2017 proved to be year of highs and lows for the Lobos. Stephen and his wife Jillian learned they were expecting a baby, which would be Peter and June’s first grandchild. Peter continued to be a local tennis guru and avid thrift store shopper at the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In late 2017, he suffered an intracranial hemorrhage which resulted in surgery and a prolonged hospitalization. Amazingly, Peter was able to recover to return home. The following year, he was able to witness his grandson, Abraham Peter Lobo, be baptized. Peter was also able to travel to New York for Abraham’s first birthday. Two of the memorable moments from this time were a family trip to a train museum in Danbury, Connecticut and Abraham periodically trying to steal his grandfather’s cane. Peter probably let him win a few rounds.

The life of Peter Lobo can only be partially captured in this text. His existence was much like that of a burning star. Peter had a bright and powerful presence which will be with us long after this. The meaning of the name Peter is “rock”. He fiercely lived up to his name by being the support, foundation, and strength of the Lobo family.

Peter is survived by his loving wife, June Bernadette Lobo; sons, Stephen Andrew Lobo (Jillian Constance) and Neil Anthony Lobo; grandson, Abraham Peter Lobo; brother-in-law, Alan Gregory Rego (Natercia) and numerous cousins around the world.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Archibald Mark and Lola Marie Lobo as well as numerous aunts and uncles.

A visitation is scheduled for Monday, February 15, 2021 at Middendorf Funeral Home (3312 Madison Pike Ft. Wright, KY 41017) from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM.   Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul Church beginning at 12:00 PM.  Interment will immediately follow at St. Mary Cemetery.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Kenton County Public Library Foundation 3095 Hulbert Dr., Erlanger, KY 41018 and/or Boone County Public Library 1786 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005.