Peter John Helzer was born July 25, 1951 to John and Agnes Helzer. He grew up in North Portland, attending Chief Joseph Elementary and Benson High School studying manufacturing. Growing up, he enjoyed little league and working on cars.
Pete worked with his father in the shipyards before enlisting in the Oregon Army National Guard on September 8, 1970. He soon became a full-time technician in the maintenance community and rose to the level of Shop Foreman. On the military side, he spent the bulk of his career in the maintenance field, but his dedication to people found him taking on leadership roles rather than technical ones, and he spent the last half of his career as the senior enlisted advisor to multiple commanders, retiring after nearly 40 years in September 2009.
Careers are only part of our lives and Pete had a very full personal life. He married Patrice on October 6, 1973 and had 3 sons, Peter, Richard, and John. He coached little league, fished, and worked on old cars. Once the boys were old enough to start driving, they started racing, and Pete was a happy pit crew chief supporting their efforts. He was also very active in the 218th Field Artillery Regimental Association and A Battery Association.
On September 21, 2023 he lost an 11-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Patti, sister and brother-in-law Gretchen and Bob Peets, sons Peter, Richard, and John, daughters-in-law Jennye, Laura, and Alexis, and grandchildren Lily, Johnny, and Sloane.
A funeral service for Pete will be held Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Peace Lutheran Church, 2201 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland, Oregon 97217. Reception will follow. A committal service with military honors will be held at 3:00 PM at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mount Scott Blvd., Happy Valley, Oregon 97086.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Pete to Oregon Guard Emergency Relief Fund. Sympathy flowers sent to the Helzer Family should be delivered to Peace Lutheran Church. Please request delivery by your selected florist on Thursday, September 28th by 10:00 am.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millsandmillsfunerals.com for the Helzer family. Mills & Mills Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
