Peter Meursinge
February 28, 1926 - February 4, 2025
Peter Meursinge passed away peacefully on February 4, 2025, at the age of 98. He was a long-time resident of Downey, California, and, in recent years, called Yorba Linda his home alongside his beloved wife, Patricia.
Born in Portland, Oregon, Peter was the son of Dutch immigrants. His early years were marked by adventure and exploration. His father worked as an engineer on the Hoover Dam, and Peter, along with his brother John, spent their childhood roaming the Nevada desert, collecting desert tortoises, snakes, and other wildlife.
Peter joined the Navy during World War II and served with distinction. After training in San Diego, he was stationed aboard the USS Marcus Island aircraft carrier, where he served as a Carpenter’s Mate. His service took him across the Pacific Ocean, with trips to Hawaii, Japan, and Guam, before crossing the Panama Canal and heading to Boston. His experiences in the Navy sparked a lifelong passion for woodworking.
Peter’s career as a patternmaker allowed him to contribute to the aerospace industry, working on high-profile projects including parts for jet aircraft and the space shuttle. His dedication to precision and craftsmanship earned him respect throughout his career.
Beyond his work, Peter’s love of nature led him to become a passionate beekeeper. He learned the art of beekeeping as a child, helping a neighbor, and continued this hobby throughout his life. Peter maintained beehives in orange groves and agricultural fields across Los Angeles and Orange Counties. He shared his expertise with others through bee exhibits at local schools, libraries, and the Oak Canyon Nature Center. A fixture at annual bee conferences, Peter’s photographs of beehives and beekeepers won numerous awards. He was honored to be an international guest at the Bijenmarkt (Bee Market) in Veenendaal, The Netherlands, and also traveled to New Zealand with fellow beekeepers. Peter chronicled his travels and experiences in articles for beekeeping magazines.
Peter’s love for the sea was another defining aspect of his life. He enjoyed sailing his Lehman 10 on Alamitos Bay and Green Valley Lake. Later, he volunteered his woodworking skills to build dories for the San Pedro Tall Ships Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson.
An avid truck enthusiast, Peter will be fondly remembered by friends and neighbors for his friendly smile and the wave he gave while driving by in his beloved pickup truck.
Peter is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Patricia Kelleher Meursinge; his daughters and their spouses, Laurie and Paul Haack, and Lisa and Danny Reed; grandchildren Randy Reed, his wife, Angela Reed, Christina Haack, and Carly Haack; and great-grandchildren Taylor El Moussa, Brayden El Moussa, Hudson Anstead, Lukas Reed, Parker Reed, and Jackson Reed.
He will be laid to rest at Miramar National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton to support the university’s beekeeping projects, a cause dear to Peter’s heart.