Dr. Peter Shyr Kuo

Peter was born Kuo Shyr Jye in Fuzhou, China on May 25, 1926 to parents Kuo Zerui (father) and Zhu Youhui (mother). Peter was the youngest of five children, including one sister and four brothers. His siblings were the late Kuo Chao Chun, Kuo Shu Zhu (sister), Kuo Chao Fang and Kuo Chao Zhong.

During the Sino-Japanese war (1937-45), Peter’s family moved from their home in Fuzhou city to northern Fujian Province. The family endured malnutrition and many difficulties during this period. After the war, Peter’s family returned to their home in Fuzhou and he graduated from Number One Fuzhou High School in 1946. In 1947, Peter moved to Taipei, Taiwan and was admitted to Taiwan University, where he earned a B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1952. After completing his required military service in Taiwan, Peter applied to graduate degree programs in the USA.

In 1956, Peter boarded a ship for the long journey to the USA. After working in a restaurant for a short period in New York City, he attended Utah State University later that year. In 1957, he transferred to the University of Missouri, where he completed an M.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1958. Peter then moved back to New York, where he worked at an engineering firm and enrolled at Columbia University, earning another M.S. degree in Engineering and Applied Science in 1964.

While in New York, Peter met Esther Wang through the local Chinese-American association. They were married in New York on May 5, 1962 then moved to Lodi, NJ and their daughter Anna was born in 1963. They then moved to Chester, PA, and their son Nelson was born in 1964. In 1967, the family moved to Huntington, CT, and their son Lawrence was born in 1968.

Professionally, Peter pursued a long career in the aerospace industry. In 1967, he began working at AVCO-Lycoming (now TEXTRON-Lycoming), where he became a Senior Staff Engineer working with turbine engines and his research was published in several engineering journals. In 1991, Peter retired after 25 years, but continued working as an engineering consultant for a few more years.

While Peter and Esther were both pursuing successful professional careers, they also worked hard to raise their three children. In 1978, the family moved to Orange, CT, where all three children graduated from high school and went on to complete college and graduate school degrees.

Throughout his life, Peter never forgot his old family home. In 1994, he and his brothers were instrumental in establishing a community library on their former family property in Fuzhou and a scholarship program for local youth. Over the years, Peter made multiple trips back to Fuzhou to help oversee the administration of these programs.

After his retirement, Peter was determined to earn his Ph.D. In 1993, Peter enrolled at Union Institute, a school that offered advanced degree programs for non-traditional students. Peter was awarded his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering in 1996 at the age of 70, achieving a life-long goal. Peter’s passion for education and the environment was also reflected in his charitable activities. In 1998, Peter and Esther donated 95 acres of property that they owned in upstate NY to Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) for use by the Environmental Studies Department.

As time passed, Peter took on another role as grandfather to six grandchildren: Alayna, Kayla and Tyler Feng, the children of Anna and son-in-law Terry Feng; and Ethan, Ilea and Garrett Kuo, the children of Nelson and daughter-in-law Rebecca Melland-Kuo. In 2004, Peter and Esther moved from their home in Woodbridge, CT to Apex, NC in order to live closer to their grandchildren.

During his retirement, Peter found more time to pursue his hobbies. Peter taught Tai Chi at SCSU. He learned to play bridge and regularly played at local senior bridge clubs. He nourished his artistic side and learned how to paint watercolors. Peter was devoted to healthy living and walked and swam regularly. He filled his diet with fruits and vegetables, but also loved to indulge in good Chinese food and desserts. Peter also devoted more time to traveling the world. Peter traveled with Esther, their children, relatives and old friends to many places including Europe, China, Taiwan, Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, and Canada.

In 2011, Peter wrote a memoir and expressed his opinion that the keys to better living were diligence, moderation and simplicity. Furthermore, he was deeply grateful for the love and support of his family. Peter was a devoted husband and father who lived his life according to his values. He will be greatly missed.

Peter was preceded in death by his beloved wife Esther on January 6, 2024. He is survived by his loving daughter, two sons, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and six grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W Williams St., Apex, NC. The family will receive friends and family at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow at Holly Springs Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with "Add a Memory" below.