Peter William Strickholm

Peter Strickholm passed away on Tuesday January 28th. Dearly loved by his family and many friends, Peter was an outdoor wilderness expert, jazz pianist and composer. Born on January 3rd, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Leila and Alfred Strickholm, Peter watched his older brother Steve take piano lessons, and at the age of 5 began taking lessons himself, which led to his life-long musical journey. Graduating from Bloomington High School North, he went to Colorado College where he pursued his three passions: Music, Math and Mountains. While there, he completed the NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) Programs in both Summer Backpacking and Winter Wilderness Survival. After graduating and while living in Bloomington, Peter became active in the local spelunker group, leading different local caving trips. Several years later he returned to the Rockies and the University of Colorado at Boulder for his M.A. in Music Composition. Back in Bloomington again, he studied and received the M.A. from I.U. in Biology, applying his math skills to forecasting wildlife populations. During his life Peter made Bloomington his “base camp”, leaving for annual summer backpacking trips with his father and brother into the Sierras and the Southwest. The photo is from his favorite spot in Chaco Canyon, a place where he felt especially connected to nature. Peter suffered a cardiac arrest 9 years ago, from a bad reaction to high-blood pressure medications. This damaged the Basal Ganglia area of his brain (from oxygen deprivation) and left him completely immobile and paralyzed, requiring 24/7 care. Unable to communicate, he was lovingly cared for in a medical room in his parents’ home, surrounded by a cadre of committed nurses and friends, for whom his family is forever grateful. Peter was pre-deceased by his father Alfred, which required his family to relocate him to Providence Care Medical Facility, part of Saint Mary of the Woods College in Terre Haute. He received their expert and loving care for the past three years and was in Hospice when he passed away. Peter is survived by his mother Leila, brother Steve and sister Julie. There will be a Celebration of Life later this Spring and we look forward to sharing his love and life with his many friends around the country and in the Bloomington community. Allen Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Tributes

Peter William Strickholm

January 3, 1958 - January 28, 2025