Peter Waldheim

Peter Albert Carl Waldheim, 81, formerly of The Woodlands, TX, passed away on April 6, 2021, at the Denver Hospice Center in Denver, CO, after a brave battle with cancer.

Peter was born on Easter Sunday in 1940 to Hans Albert August Fritz Waldheim and Irmtraut “Traute” Julie Friederike Schöffler. His parents moved from Germany to the San Francisco area in 1937. Hans was a landscape architect and Traute was a proficient musician at piano, guitar, and accordion. In 1949, his mother inherited a small finca (vineyard) in Argentina and the family bravely packed up all their belongings and, without knowing a word of Spanish, left their home in Mill Valley, CA. The family boarded the S.S. Trader and embarked on an incredible six-week journey to Buenos Aires, landing in the small rural town of San Rafael. The second of four boys, Peter and his brothers learned English in the U.S., Spanish in Argentina, and German at home.

In 1963, Peter left Argentina and moved to New York City where he attended New York University in the evenings to obtain a degree in Chemical Engineering and began his career in the chemical industry with M.W. Kellogg, Co. (now KBR, Inc.). He then attended Princeton University at night and was working toward a master’s degree in Engineering when M.W. Kellogg transferred him to Houston, TX in 1970. Peter rose to the position of Vice President of Engineering, overseeing an organization of 3,300 people. He was known for his open-door policy, his unmatched charisma, and his undying quest for success. He was a visionary, a leader, and an extraordinary mentor to those fortunate enough to have him come alongside them. He was well-liked, respected, and greatly trusted. His most significant contribution was as Project Director of the Maraven Project, the first project the U.S. had ever executed with the Venezuelan government. He retired from the firm in 1992, as Vice President of Operations Development. He then worked with Bufete Industrial, S.A. in Mexico City, the largest construction company in Latin America, as a consultant.

Peter was an avid and exceptional cyclist. He was a member of The Woodlands Cycling Club, an advocate for cycling safety, and a supporter of the MS 150 for many years. One year, the 150-mile route was simply not enough for him, so he rode the 150 miles back instead of taking the bus. When Peter moved to Colorado in 2006, he traded in Texas’ overpasses for Colorado’s steep mountain climbs. He loved to attack the uphills. He was a maniac on the bike. When he entered his 70s, he made it a point to ride his age in miles each year on his birthday. At the age of 75, he participated in a 1400-mile trek from Austin to Denver to raise awareness about prostate health, keeping pace with the much younger pack. Sadly, that was his last long ride before his prostate cancer impacted his love of cycling.

He was a member of the Sound of the Rockies chorus in Denver for almost a decade, singing barbershop and a cappella choruses with his son, Keith. He put his heart and soul into every production, including their Singing Valentine fund-raiser events.

Peter is survived by his daughter, Karen Waldheim Jensen and husband, Tony Jensen, of Castle Rock, CO; son, Eric Waldheim, of Boulder, CO; son, Dan Waldheim and wife, Deb Waldheim, of Highlands Ranch, CO; son, Corey Icet, of Houston, TX, and son, Keith Waldheim, of Highlands Ranch, CO. He is also survived by his former wife, Alicia Calland, of Highlands Ranch, CO; brother, Ricardo Marcelo Waldheim; three granddaughters: Kendra Jensen, Gabrielle Waldheim, and Mattie Jensen; five grandsons: Mo Jensen, Joseph Jensen, Marsden Waldheim, George Waldheim, and Winslow Waldheim; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Erika B. Waldheim, as well as two brothers, Stephen Sydney Waldheim and Edward Herman Waldheim.

We will gather to celebrate his life on June 17th at Calvary Chapel Castle Rock in Castle Rock, CO. Peter is now enjoying paradise with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is free from pain, tears, and sorrow.

Peter was passionate about helping others. Please consider sending gifts in his memory to the following nonprofits: