PETER BIRD
June 20, 1943 - December 24, 2017
Obituary
On Christmas Eve, Peter's most favorite and holy holiday, he passed peacefully into new life with Jesus. He was surrounded by his loving wife Lila and his sister Susan.
Peter was born June 20, 1943 and raised on the family Birdlawn Dairy Farm in Brownsville, Wisconsin. He worked with cattle, showing prize-winning livestock in the South Byron 4H Club.
In 1961 Peter graduated from Oakfield High. He was active in various community groups and Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF).
Peter attended Ripon College, majoring in Political Science, and graduating in May 1966. He then entered law school at SMU (Southern Methodist University). During this time Peter served our country in Vietnam for the U.S. Army, 1969-1970 with an honorable discharge. He then returned to SMU, earning his Juris Doctor of Law Degree on May 21, 1972.
While in Vietnam Peter felt assured he would come home alive, and was meant to dedicate his life to ministry. After practicing law for several years he entered Perkins Theological Seminary in Dallas. He moved home to run the family dairy farm while completing an M. Div. degree at the Episcopal Nashota House Seminary.
Peter's volunteer ministry included national church leadership, youth organizations, establishing a young adults' ministry in England, and mission work in Honduras.
The 3rd of June, 2000 Peter married Lila Roberts. Also in June, he was ordained as an Episcopal Priest and served Holy Trinity Church in Waupun. His ministry there included establishing the Community Table feeding program, a city-wide youth group, and reaching out to prisoners. After retirement Peter served as supply priest for St. Paul's in Plymouth.
Since childhood Peter was fascinated with trains. He was an avid Packer fan, and loved golfing and traveling. Peter made life fun and exciting for his nephews: Rob, Joe, and Eric.
Peter was warm-hearted and generous. He expressed his love for people with warmth, joy, compassion, encouragement, and humor. His zest for life was contagious. Peter loved Lila with all his heart. He will be missed and loved forever.
Peter courageously fought his battle with multiple myeloma bone marrow cancer, caused by Agent Orange in Vietnam. He won the battle when he passed into eternal life Christmas Eve, 2017.
Our family is deeply grateful to Peter's Oncologist Dr. Phillips and his staff, as well as all of his other caregivers throughout his illness.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are being established in Peter's name for St. Thomas Episcopal Church and the Local Neenah/Menasha VFW Post. Peter will be honored at the Isle of Valor historical site at Smith Park, Doty Island.