Hans Petersen, Oberlin College '02, son, brother, and friend, died suddenly in a tragic accident on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. He was installing solar panels on a roof in the San Francisco Bay Area. In his too-short life Hans was a student, a historian, a builder and carpenter, a seminarian, an athlete, a singer, an incredible packrat, a near constant source of warmth and good cheer, and much much more.
He is already deeply missed by a great many.
This blog is intended to pass along any information about memorial services and the like, as well as to act as a temporary repository for any thoughts and memories people would like to share.
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Thoughts and memories
Anyone can add comments to this post, so people don't have to register with Blogger. *update 2018 - no longer allowing comments to avoid the spam posts from 2015 reoccurring.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Oberlin 10th reunion
Many of us in town for the '02-'04 reunion, and others already in town, met and joined hands and shared memories of Hans this morning next to 'his' brick by the Oberlin Heritage Center. The specifics were varied, but the themes were clear - Hans was a unique and positive impact on us all, he was full of enthusiasm, a deep lover of life and all its parts, often unclothed, and, while he is gone far too soon for any of our liking, he is present with us still and always.
The gathering was followed this afternoon by a trip to Chance Creek. As of posting, the participants have not yet returned, so we cannot yet report on any involvement of law enforcement.
The gathering was followed this afternoon by a trip to Chance Creek. As of posting, the participants have not yet returned, so we cannot yet report on any involvement of law enforcement.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
OHIO memorial
I've been very negligent on posting a few things related to Hans's memorials. Though a number of months have passed, I thought I shouldn't let these linger any longer.
"The Oberlin Heritage Center has installed a brick along its “Heritage Trail” in Hans’ memory. A photo of the brick is attached. It is located on the walkway near the Monroe House, which runs north/south from the Conservatory parking lot to Vine Street. Specifically, Hans’ brick is on the west side of the walk, near the intersecting brick paths. Look for it next time you are walking this way. We sent some hard copy photos to Glenn and Carol (and they knew about the wording of the brick in advance and ok’d it.) They have not been far from our thoughts this summer."
"The Oberlin Heritage Center has installed a brick along its “Heritage Trail” in Hans’ memory. A photo of the brick is attached. It is located on the walkway near the Monroe House, which runs north/south from the Conservatory parking lot to Vine Street. Specifically, Hans’ brick is on the west side of the walk, near the intersecting brick paths. Look for it next time you are walking this way. We sent some hard copy photos to Glenn and Carol (and they knew about the wording of the brick in advance and ok’d it.) They have not been far from our thoughts this summer."
SF Service description
From Emma B.
Dear Oberlin family,
I have just gotten back from Hans' funeral and wanted to write you all immediately to share the spirit of it with you. I am going to just start from the very beginning. My sister and I arrived very early to the University Lutheran Chapel. It was pouring raining, which somehow seemed appropriate, and we arrived to a small group of Hans' closest relatives, including his brother, sister, and sister-in-law, crying together. By 4pm, the church was packed with about two hundred people, including a handful of Oberlin friends.
The service was beautiful, so Hans, with many anecdotes and even a slideshow with photos of him. Over and over people commented on Hans' kindness, the way in which he would give people his undivided attention, his great concern for others and broad social problems. They also spoke about much lighter topics, such as his constant lateness, his ability to get so off task when given a simple project, and his fondness of running around scantily clad. There were three reflections: Cat Bodnar, a current housemate and former Oberlin student told a funny story about the time she asked Hans to move her car from the driveway to the street. She said that for anyone else, that would be a simple task, but Hans realized one of the car windows was broken, so he dismantled the entire car door and then proceeded to fix the window. I think we all could probably tell a similar story about Hans. Carl Petersen and Thea Petersen, Hans' brother and sister, gave a very, very moving reflection. Carl talked about growing up with Hans and how much he loved and admired him. He also talked about some of Hans' difficulties, and about how he never quite knew his own self-worth. He never felt that he deserved others' love. Thea talked about how much she admired Hans as the big brother. Lastly, the Rev. Dr. Phyllis Anderson, president of PLTS spoke very beautifully about how loved Hans was and about how many memorial services there are just filled with grief. She had just flown in from the church where Hans' father preached in Orange County, and when she talked about the service this morning, Hans' dad became very emotional.
There was a point in the service in which the priest asked for short anecdotes about Hans. The first person who spoke was Hans' dad who said that Hans was a joyful kid and that he loved magic tricks. He said that he and his wife used to hold up a sheet for Hans when friends were over to hide him while he performed his magic. Another person from the church spoke of seeing him this Palm Sunday at church, catching eyes with Hans, and that he gave him that Hans smile in the middle of the service. He said he would always cherish that smile. And lastly, someone said that Hans was so passionate about making the world a better place. She said, "May we all continue his work."
At the end of the service, there was a reception downstairs but I did not stay because there were so many family and friends and I didn't feel like I knew many people. Before we left, I saw one man wearing a Solar City shirt over his black clothes so I assume he worked with Hans.
The whole service, I kept remembering ECO, the way Hans always came late to ECO, would find some tiny space to fit his body in, and then would subtly smile and say hi to everyone in the room as we had our meeting. He was so thoughtful and so well-intentioned. He really wanted to do good. The priest reminded the congregation today that God does not want us to try to cover up any hole where Hans was, nor should we. There is a gap there and it's uncomfortable. He also acknowledged just how tragic this was- Hans died suddenly and he really was not done living. What does one do with that? One of the main things that made this funeral so incredibly emotional was that everyone was grappling with that same question. Many people in the church had seen Hans within the last two weeks.
I cried a lot during the service but now feel some peace. Not peace with Hans' sudden death, but peace that his spirit continues on in so many people. He was loved by many, many people and we are struggling together to pick up the pieces.
Below are some of the technical pieces of information from the program, I know Father Brian wanted to know about the music and I'm just going to include these things in case you are interested.
Love,
Emma
Music & Readings:
"Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory" (from Holden Village Evening Prayer),
by Marty Haugen
"All Are Welcome" (ELW 641), by Marty Haugen
First Reading: Isaiah 25: 6-9
"In Deepest Night" (ELW 699), by Susan Palo Cherwien
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 6-8
"Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!" (ELW 377)
Gospel: John 14: 1-7, 25-27
"My Life Flows on in Endless Song" (ELW 763)
"Shepherd Me, O God" (ELW 780)
"Neither Death nor Life" (ELW 622)
"Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart" (ELW 750)
Dear Oberlin family,
I have just gotten back from Hans' funeral and wanted to write you all immediately to share the spirit of it with you. I am going to just start from the very beginning. My sister and I arrived very early to the University Lutheran Chapel. It was pouring raining, which somehow seemed appropriate, and we arrived to a small group of Hans' closest relatives, including his brother, sister, and sister-in-law, crying together. By 4pm, the church was packed with about two hundred people, including a handful of Oberlin friends.
The service was beautiful, so Hans, with many anecdotes and even a slideshow with photos of him. Over and over people commented on Hans' kindness, the way in which he would give people his undivided attention, his great concern for others and broad social problems. They also spoke about much lighter topics, such as his constant lateness, his ability to get so off task when given a simple project, and his fondness of running around scantily clad. There were three reflections: Cat Bodnar, a current housemate and former Oberlin student told a funny story about the time she asked Hans to move her car from the driveway to the street. She said that for anyone else, that would be a simple task, but Hans realized one of the car windows was broken, so he dismantled the entire car door and then proceeded to fix the window. I think we all could probably tell a similar story about Hans. Carl Petersen and Thea Petersen, Hans' brother and sister, gave a very, very moving reflection. Carl talked about growing up with Hans and how much he loved and admired him. He also talked about some of Hans' difficulties, and about how he never quite knew his own self-worth. He never felt that he deserved others' love. Thea talked about how much she admired Hans as the big brother. Lastly, the Rev. Dr. Phyllis Anderson, president of PLTS spoke very beautifully about how loved Hans was and about how many memorial services there are just filled with grief. She had just flown in from the church where Hans' father preached in Orange County, and when she talked about the service this morning, Hans' dad became very emotional.
There was a point in the service in which the priest asked for short anecdotes about Hans. The first person who spoke was Hans' dad who said that Hans was a joyful kid and that he loved magic tricks. He said that he and his wife used to hold up a sheet for Hans when friends were over to hide him while he performed his magic. Another person from the church spoke of seeing him this Palm Sunday at church, catching eyes with Hans, and that he gave him that Hans smile in the middle of the service. He said he would always cherish that smile. And lastly, someone said that Hans was so passionate about making the world a better place. She said, "May we all continue his work."
At the end of the service, there was a reception downstairs but I did not stay because there were so many family and friends and I didn't feel like I knew many people. Before we left, I saw one man wearing a Solar City shirt over his black clothes so I assume he worked with Hans.
The whole service, I kept remembering ECO, the way Hans always came late to ECO, would find some tiny space to fit his body in, and then would subtly smile and say hi to everyone in the room as we had our meeting. He was so thoughtful and so well-intentioned. He really wanted to do good. The priest reminded the congregation today that God does not want us to try to cover up any hole where Hans was, nor should we. There is a gap there and it's uncomfortable. He also acknowledged just how tragic this was- Hans died suddenly and he really was not done living. What does one do with that? One of the main things that made this funeral so incredibly emotional was that everyone was grappling with that same question. Many people in the church had seen Hans within the last two weeks.
I cried a lot during the service but now feel some peace. Not peace with Hans' sudden death, but peace that his spirit continues on in so many people. He was loved by many, many people and we are struggling together to pick up the pieces.
Below are some of the technical pieces of information from the program, I know Father Brian wanted to know about the music and I'm just going to include these things in case you are interested.
Love,
Emma
Music & Readings:
"Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory" (from Holden Village Evening Prayer),
by Marty Haugen
"All Are Welcome" (ELW 641), by Marty Haugen
First Reading: Isaiah 25: 6-9
"In Deepest Night" (ELW 699), by Susan Palo Cherwien
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 6-8
"Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!" (ELW 377)
Gospel: John 14: 1-7, 25-27
"My Life Flows on in Endless Song" (ELW 763)
"Shepherd Me, O God" (ELW 780)
"Neither Death nor Life" (ELW 622)
"Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart" (ELW 750)
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Oberlin Reunion Weekend
Saturday, May 29th
4pm
Gather at the Little Red Schoolhouse on S. Professor St just south of the con.
Songs, reflection, and prayer, followed by a hike through town/the arb for those who can make it.
Ending before dinner at 6.
4pm
Gather at the Little Red Schoolhouse on S. Professor St just south of the con.
Songs, reflection, and prayer, followed by a hike through town/the arb for those who can make it.
Ending before dinner at 6.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Memorial service in Colfax
From Glenn & Carol Petersen:
A memorial service for Hans is scheduled for this next Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., at Peace Lutheran Church in Colfax, WA. Bishop Martin Wells will preach. Members of Idaho-Washington Concert Chorale and also Tapestry, a woman's choral group, will sing.
We will celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection.
All are welcome.
A memorial service for Hans is scheduled for this next Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., at Peace Lutheran Church in Colfax, WA. Bishop Martin Wells will preach. Members of Idaho-Washington Concert Chorale and also Tapestry, a woman's choral group, will sing.
We will celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection.
All are welcome.
Friday, April 16, 2010
NYC Hans Memorial Get-Together
Where: McCarren Park in Brooklyn (Greenpoint)
We'll be near the running track (near intersection of Lorimer and Driggs)
L-Train Bedford or Lorimer stop, G train Nassau stop
When: Sunday, April 18th, 2010 (12 noon thru 2pm or whenever).
What: bring memories, food, frisbies,
Weather: If weather is rainy or too cold, we'll be at local restaurant tba.
A couple of Obertones-related images passed along from those in attendance:
We'll be near the running track (near intersection of Lorimer and Driggs)
L-Train Bedford or Lorimer stop, G train Nassau stop
When: Sunday, April 18th, 2010 (12 noon thru 2pm or whenever).
What: bring memories, food, frisbies,
Weather: If weather is rainy or too cold, we'll be at local restaurant tba.
A couple of Obertones-related images passed along from those in attendance:
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Boulder/Denver event
I'm a Boulder resident willing to organize or host a Hans memorial if folks are interested. I thought there might be enough of his friends in the Denver/Boulder area to warrant this, and as I wasn't able to make the services in the Bay area, I would like to meet up with others who also have loving memories of Hans. Please contact me if interested.
Kathy McCardwell (OC '06)
502.321.4546
Kathy McCardwell (OC '06)
502.321.4546
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Los Angeles
My name is Christyn Koschmann -- my husband Hans Koschmann and Hans Knut were roommates in their first year at PLTS (deeming Hans Knut the name "Light Hans" and my husband, in comparison, "Dark Hans"). We currently live in LA and were not able to make it to Hans' funeral, though were wondering if there was a need to facilitate a get-together of sorts in Southern California. I know Carl lives down here, and is my memory serves me some of Carl's extended family live in the area, too. We would be happy to put together something if Carl or other friends or family members are on board. We are saddened, of course, that we were not able to join in the community at the funeral and feel a bit disconnect grieving alone here in LA.
In peace,
Christyn and Hans Koschmann
502.417.3132
christynh@mac.com
In peace,
Christyn and Hans Koschmann
502.417.3132
christynh@mac.com
Donations
Hans Petersen Memorial Fund:
Hans' parents have indicated that all funds to the Hans K. Petersen Memorial Fund will be directed to (1) Global Health Ministries and Maasai Health Systems, (2) Petersen Family Habitat for Humanity Build in Guatemala, and (3) Holden Village.
Checks can be made payable to “University Lutheran Chapel,” with a note that it’s for the Hans K. Petersen Memorial Fund. Designated online contributions can also be made securely on the Chapel's website with the designation that it’s for the Hans K. Petersen Memorial Fund.
University Lutheran Chapel
2425 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
In addition:
From Rev. David Reese Weasley:
"I've just made a donation in Hans's memory to Lutherans Concerned of North America, the primary advocacy group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender folks in the ELCA, Hans's denomination. I know this was an issue that was important to him, and I would invite you to participate. Here is their web address: http://www.lcna.org/lcna/donations"
If you would like to do more:
Several people have asked about donating to causes in Hans' honor, and possibly coming together to support something in or around Oberlin/Lorain County in line with Hans' activities and beliefs. If you are interested in such an effort, or have any ideas, please email me.
Hans' parents have indicated that all funds to the Hans K. Petersen Memorial Fund will be directed to (1) Global Health Ministries and Maasai Health Systems, (2) Petersen Family Habitat for Humanity Build in Guatemala, and (3) Holden Village.
Checks can be made payable to “University Lutheran Chapel,” with a note that it’s for the Hans K. Petersen Memorial Fund. Designated online contributions can also be made securely on the Chapel's website with the designation that it’s for the Hans K. Petersen Memorial Fund.
University Lutheran Chapel
2425 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
In addition:
From Rev. David Reese Weasley:
"I've just made a donation in Hans's memory to Lutherans Concerned of North America, the primary advocacy group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender folks in the ELCA, Hans's denomination. I know this was an issue that was important to him, and I would invite you to participate. Here is their web address: http://www.lcna.org/lcna/donations"
If you would like to do more:
Several people have asked about donating to causes in Hans' honor, and possibly coming together to support something in or around Oberlin/Lorain County in line with Hans' activities and beliefs. If you are interested in such an effort, or have any ideas, please email me.
Oberlin memorial, Wed, Apr 21
Friday, April 9, 2010
Portland
A handful of Obies in Portland, Oregon plan to celebrate Hans and share memories of him Saturday evening in Portland, OR (location TBD, likely N or NE Portland). Anyone, Obie or not, is welcome. Please contact 
Bill Lascher at 805-746-7112 or blascher@gmail.com to find out the specific location and time.
Bill Lascher at 805-746-7112 or blascher@gmail.com to find out the specific location and time.
Funeral Sunday, Berkeley CA
Sunday, April 11, 2010
4:00 p.m
Reception following
University Lutheran Chapel
2425 College Avenue (at Haste)
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 843-6230
email: administrator@ulcberkeley.org
website: www.ulcberkeley.org
Housing
People traveling in from outside the Bay Area, please see this post about possible housing arrangements.
4:00 p.m
Reception following
University Lutheran Chapel
2425 College Avenue (at Haste)
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 843-6230
email: administrator@ulcberkeley.org
website: www.ulcberkeley.org
Parking
Cal public lot across the street from the Chapel. $1 for 2 hours, $2 thereafter. Enter on Haste or Channing.
People traveling in from outside the Bay Area, please see this post about possible housing arrangements.
Chicago memorial picnic, Sunday
Hans Petersen Memorial Picnic on Montrose Point
4:00 PM, Sunday, April 11, 2010
Please join us for a picnic and memorial ceremony to celebrate the life of our dear friend. It will be windy right by the lake, but there are grills available for cooking. Bring food or drink and your stories and songs. And no matter the temperature, swimming, we've learned, is always possible.
Look for the Montrose Beach House as you come down Montrose Drive.
Contact: Melissa Simon (216) 978-1825
Please join us for a picnic and memorial ceremony to celebrate the life of our dear friend. It will be windy right by the lake, but there are grills available for cooking. Bring food or drink and your stories and songs. And no matter the temperature, swimming, we've learned, is always possible.
Look for the Montrose Beach House as you come down Montrose Drive.
Contact: Melissa Simon (216) 978-1825
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