Peter M. Kardel

Peter M. Kardel, 83, died peacefully Friday, April 19, 2013, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born in Charlotte, MI., in 1929 to Danish immigrant parents, Hans E. and Karen M. Kardel. His father was the former Eaton County Agricultural Agent, after whom Kardel Hall at the Eaton County fair grounds is named. Peter is the eldest of five siblings: Glenn (Harriett), Hans (Jean), Karl (Allyson) and Karen (Welborn). The Kardel family home was located on Pleasant Street. Peter and his brothers were active for many years in 4-H. They attended Charlotte High where Peter was a powerhouse tackle on the school’s football team. Peter graduated from Charlotte High in 1948. He attended the University of Michigan as a freshman and then continued on in the J.D./M.B.A. program. Peter graduated with honors from the University of Michigan in 1955. He married Beatrice A. Johnson (deceased) and practiced law in Grand Rapids before joining a large law firm in San Francisco. After their first child was born, he began to look for the right community to raise his family. In 1961, Judge Richard Harris persuaded Peter to come join his firm at the corner of Marsh and Santa Rosa Streets in San Luis Obispo, CA. Over the years, Peter's courage and leadership helped shape the community of San Luis Obispo. Deeply involved in property and tax law, he was known for defending small-business owners and farmers against the heavy hand of the IRS, as well as championing economic development in downtown San Luis Obispo. His son and namesake, Peter K. Kardel, remembers that his father walked to work many mornings with his imposing but gentle Danish Rottweiler. “In a way that symbolizes my dad. He had a very intimidating presence and bearing — he was a fighter — but he was really a tender, sweet man.” Peter also spent time as the city attorney for Morro Bay and Pismo Beach. He was chairperson of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce in 1965, and put pressure on what he saw as complacent downtown business owners to support development of the (now famous) Mission Plaza and tree-planting. Friends remember many nights debating politics with Peter, who was conservative in the best sense of the word. He valued nature, and keeping the county rural and agricultural, but he also wanted things in the city to move along in a well-paced fashion. However, you could argue against him, and he would still want you as a friend. “Peter was always proud of his Danish heritage,” remembered Peter’s neighbor Ken Schwartz, a former mayor of San Luis Obispo who regularly flies flags of other countries outside his home. “Whenever I flew the Danish flag, that prompted a special toot on the horn,” Schwartz said. Peter is survived by his children, Kristi Knudsen (Robert), Kari Blackburn (Bill) and Peter K. Kardel (Amy), and eleven grandchildren. A beautiful memorial service was held on Saturday, April 27, 2013, at the Nazarene Church of San Luis Obispo. Peter will be buried at Charlotte’s Maple Hill Cemetery in the Kardel family plot on Monday, May 20 at 1:00 pm. A brief graveside service will be conducted by a family member who will read from the Book of Common Prayer. The public is welcome. A tape recorder will be available in the event those who come wish to send a message to the Kardel family back in California.Local arrangements by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI