Obituary: Peter B. Iversen, Sr., 62

Peter B. Iversen, Sr. of Anchorage, died on October 16, 2012 at the age of 62. He passed away while pursuing his lifelong passion of flying as a bush pilot in his home state. His plane went down near Skwentna, as he was heading to Nixon Fork Mine.

Pete was born July 24, 1950 in Wrangell to Doris and Barney Iversen. He spent his youth hunting, fishing, playing basketball and dreaming of flying planes. He first snuck out of his home as a toddler, heading down to the docks to see the float planes. His high school sweetheart and the love of his life was Kathy Stokes. The basketball player and cheerleader were each other’s soulmates and life partners for the next 45 years.

After Pete attended University of Alaska, Fairbanks, they were married in Wrangell and moved to Anchorage for Pete to pursue a career in the aviation industry. He had worked for numerous air charter businesses and private corporations as a pilot. Pete was qualified to fly a diverse range of aircraft including helicopters, fixed-wing and jets. He also flew commercially for Wien Air Alaska and American Airlines, however his true calling in life was as an Alaskan bush pilot. He was happiest while running his own small businesses out of Lake Hood and the Anchorage Airport, most recently as KaVan Air and Fuel Services, LLC.

Pete was vibrant, energetic and full of life. He dearly loved his family, friends and little dog Lucy. When not flying, he had a great time playing basketball in the “Grandpa League”, working on his model boats and airplanes, watching old funny movies with Kathy and Lucy, and loving life with his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Julie Iversen.

Peter is survived by his parents, Doris and Barney Iversen of Anchorage; his wife Kathy Iversen of Anchorage; his two children and their families, Dr. Deani Iversen and Dr. Chris Auth of Portland; grandchildren Kaitlyn and Vanessa Auth, Dr. Peter B. Iversen, Jr. and Kirsten Iversen of Seattle, and Elsa B and Espen Peter Iversen; brother in-law William Stokes and Emily Lane of Point Hope; Victoria and John Kaer of Petersburg; sister-in-law Myrna Torgramsen of Wrangell; brother-in-law Ed Harding of Wrangell; nieces and nephews, Eric and Christine Lund, Art and Nicole Hack, all of Southeast Alaska.

A celebration of Pete’s life was held in Anchorage on October 21.