Herbert Peschel

Herbert (Herbie/Papa) Charles Peschel, 74, died peacefully on Thursday afternoon, April 16 with his wife of 49 years Carole by his side. He passed after a three-week battle from a stroke and heart attack that ultimately took his life.

Herb is survived by his wife Carole, son John and daughter-in-law Laura both of Whitefish and their two children Matthew and Ellie. He is also survived by his daughter Regan who thankfully moved back to Whitefish from New York City roughly a month before he died. Additionally, he is survived by his one brother and two sisters. His older brother Harland Peschel of Phoenix, Arizona. His sister Mary Graybeal of Missoula, Montana and her son, Kyle Graybeal (Emmy) and their two daughters Addy and Katie. His younger sister Gretchen Carrick (Stan) of Anchorage, Alaska and their daughter, Erin. Additionally, his two sister’s in law Susan Regan (Boston), and Jane Raye (Portland, Oregon), his nephew and niece Stephen Raye (Christine) of Glendale, Missouri, and their son Taylor and Katie Meeker (Dan) of Portland, Oregon, and their two children Margaret and John. He shared a birthday with both of his nieces Katie Meeker and Addy Graybeal.

Herb was born in Whitefish, Montana, in 1946 in his home to his parents Herbert Peschel, Sr. and Helen Peschel. He graduated from Whitefish high school 1964 where he played both golf and football. He would go on to get his undergraduate degree from Willamette University in Oregon before attending Dental School at the University of Pacific in San Francisco, California, where he ultimately met and fell in love with his wife, Carole, who graduated from the San Francisco College for Women.

All in two weeks of June 1971 Herb graduated from Dental School, took his dental board exams, got married and joined the Army as a Dentist/Major. Herb completed a Dental internship at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, before moving to Germany with the U.S. Army as a Dentist/Major. Herb practiced dentistry on an American Army base for four years in Nurenberg in southern Germany. Herb and Carole not only traveled all around Europe in these years, made life long friends, but also gave birth to their first child, John.

Once moving back to Whitefish permanently Herb opened his own dental practice that he ran for 36 years and always noted how much he cared about his employees and patients. Practicing dentistry was one of Herb’s biggest passions in life and being able to meet and help new people every day brought him a lot of joy. Along with dentistry Herb enjoyed golf, travel, reading, investing, boating, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Nothing made him happier than knowing his family was happy. After he retired, if you didn’t find him at the golf course where he was a Marshall or driving Uber you would often find Herb at Costco or the ice cream shop chatting with the locals he so enjoyed.

In Whitefish, Herb has been a proud and active member of the community and has served on the Board of Directors of Whitefish Lake Golf Course, been a member of the Whitefish Lakeshore Protection Committee, and also a member of the Whitefish Variance Board. Notably, Herb won the Whitefish Lake Golf Course Club Championship and was inducted into the Whitefish Lake Golf Course Hall of Fame.

In Herb and Carole’s later years they were fortunate enough to spend significant time in Phuket, Thailand during winters together where they made many friends, enjoyed the local food and culture, and considered this a second home to them.

The Peschel family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Jon Miller for the kindness and support he showed both Herb and Carole during this chapter, all the incredible medical staff at Kalispell Regional Hospital and especially our dear friend and nurse, Kim Spicher who lovingly and expertly guided and loved Herb, Carole and his children through this very difficult time. She made an unbearable journey bearable. Thank you, Kimmy.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Gary Norby Jr. Golf Foundation through Whitefish Lake Golf Course.

Due to current shelter at home policies in place there will be no immediate funeral but a celebration of life ceremony will take place as soon as restrictions have been lifted. Herb adored Whitefish and considered it his favorite place in the world and often commented on how he’d want to live nowhere else but here. If you knew Herb or crossed his path around town you’d often hear him jokingly end your exchange with, “Well, I’m glad you got to see me.” We know he would be saying this to all of you now.

Herb was very much loved by all his friends and family and will be missed dearly.