Peter D. Hoagland
Hoagland, Peter D. (November 3, 2021). Loving father to Peter D. (Deborah) Hoagland, Jennifer L. (Steven Weissman) Hoagland, and Jeanel (Jonathan Drezner) Hoagland. In addition to his children, Peter is survived by his sister Elnora Joy Gizzie and brother Richard (Kathleen) Hoagland , 5 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews!
Peter was born and raised in Somerville, NJ and attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and Florida State University, in Tallahassee, Florida, where he was awarded a PhD in chemistry (and minored in oceanography). Peter then worked at the United States Department of Agriculture’s Eastern Regional Research Center in Wyndmoor, PA until he retired, spending countless hours researching peach pectin, fractals, milk proteins and the like (actually, his family really doesn’t understand what he did there!). He is predeceased by ‘Bessie,’ the cow that was once considered a valuable co-worker.
Peter had so many passions, it is hard to list them all! He was an avid photographer, model railroad enthusiast and tennis player, and enjoyed playing chess — often pitting one of his computers against another — and playing the piano. A constant wonderer, Peter recently spent much of his free time working on his model railroad sets, programming robots and watching his favorite videos on YouTube: the trains at the Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, Pennsylvania, Nick Zentner’s Geology classes and ‘Itchy Boots’ (check them out!).
Peter cared about his carbon footprint, and always worked towards lessening his own impact on the environment. He tended to his beloved bamboo grove without fail. Confined to the house for most of 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 and health issues, he became a connoisseur of good TV. We will all miss his recommendations on what to watch now that he is no longer with us.
One of Peter’s greatest joys was playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always had a new toy or gadget to explore, and he spent countless hours with them. His family also will miss the humor that he exuded throughout his life. Dry witticism was his jam!
Peter’s family would like to thank you for your thoughts and prayers at this time. Peter’s services will be private. Interment Whitemarsh Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Peter’s name may be made to the charity of your choice.
Jennifer, may you find comfort in your many wonderful memories of your wonderful father. May his memory be a blessing.
My heartfelt sympathy to the Hoagland family. I had the distinct pleasure of working at the USDA, ERRC with Peter. He was a great friend and coworker to so many who knew him. He will be terribly missed! Rest in peace my friend.??
Hi, Jennifer
I shared an office with Pete Hoagland early in my career at USDA. Although I did not work directly in his research, I did remember his keen interest in many areas of research and his great sense of humor. I was there when he retired, but unfortunately I can’t recall when he retired. I was there when his supervisor was the lead scientist Harry Farrell. I think he had a long life and from your email to USDA, a happy life.
Ed
Jennifer, I send my deepest condolences for your loss. I collaborated with Peter for a short time at USDA/ARS/ERRC before he retired. He was always kind and helpful to a new person (like me) who had just come to the workplace. I enjoyed working and discussing research projects with him. I do remember his love and knowledge of computers and all things computation-related. I’ll miss his patience and always nuanced ways of thinking about problems. May he rest in peace.
Hi Jennifer,
I am so sorry to hear the loss of your father. Your father was a great mentor! I meet your father when I first start working at USDA as a co-op student. He taught me so much and so forever grateful.
Condolences to you and the entire Hoagland family, Jennifer. Our careers overlapped for about 25 years. I was a carbohydrate chemist; Peter was that and so much more. What a nice man he was. You didn’t mention that on top of everything else, Peter once built a harpsicord. Can you imagine that?
Dear Jennifer,
Let me extend my deepest sympathy to you and the family for the loss of your amazing dad. Your dad was possibly my oldest friend on earth. We met at age four in Green Knoll School (where your grandmother also taught). Through the school years we remained friends. Did you know that we costarred in the school’s biannual stage production? Your dad played Hansel to my Gretel. In high school, we went to the junior prom together. Unfortunately after high school we went our separate ways and lost touch with each other. I found your dad again several years ago on classmates.com. And I am grateful for that. Thank you for reaching out to me and for sharing that wonderful obituary. There was so much I didn’t know about.
Thank you to everyone for taking the time to express your support and / or share your remembrances of our father – we appreciate it so, so much! We were reminded of some things we had forgotten (such as the harpsichord!!) and feel grateful that he is remembered so well. We also learned a little history as well 😉 Thank you all so much!!