Peter Rolf Karsten

Peter R. "Pete" Karsten was born on May 10, 1938 in Schenectady, New York, the son of Leone Mae Wasson and Walter F.R. Karsten, and died on December 1, 2024 at the University of Kansas Hospital from complications of lung cancer. Pete grew up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and enjoyed life-long friendships with his Glen Ridge High School classmates. A graduate of Lehigh University, his career included technical/medical publishing, bookstore owner, and running the Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament for the NY Daily News for several years, all in New York City.

In April 1980, Pete and Sally Barhydt were married in Brooklyn Heights, New York, having met as editorial colleagues at McGraw-Hill. Sally’s work took them to Stamford, CT, where they lived for 5 years, returning to NYC in 1998. Both retired in 2007 and moved to Kansas City, MO, Sally’s hometown. Transplanted to the Midwest and wherever he lived, Pete found a golf course, a pub, and a good place to walk, and so it was in Kansas City. He switched his allegiance from the Mets and Jets to the Royals and the Chiefs, subscribed to the NY Times, and worked a crossword puzzle or two every day. His favorite month was July when he followed the Tour de France on TV while marking the route on his Michelin map of France, and the British Open, which he was delighted to see twice in St. Andrews, Scotland. He added English Premier League Soccer to his sports viewing through NY fans of Newcastle United. A constant reader, he chose books and articles on science and the natural world. Classical music, mostly on local radio, accompanied many of his activities.

Together Sally and Pete enjoyed traveling to Europe, U.S. national parks, and Canada, including a memorable railroad trip from Vancouver to Cape Breton, and frequent Amtrak trips. Annual visits to New York maintained ties to friends and family.

In addition to his wife, Peter is survived by his sister, Bonnie Lee Wasson, Saratoga Springs, NY; nephews, James Sheridan Burleigh (Marla), South Glens Falls, NY, and Peter Charles Burleigh, Saratoga Springs; great-nieces, Madeline Lee and Anna Evelyn Burleigh; brother-in-law, Frank W. Barhydt, Los Angeles, CA; sister-in-law, Janie Foltz (Gary), Kansas City, MO; and a host of friends across the country with whom he and Sally shared so many good times.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Peter’s memory to the Village Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, Tillotson Building, 9960 Mission Rd, Overland Park, KS 66207, the Nurture Nature Center, 518 Northampton St, Easton, PA 18042, or a charitable organization of your choice.

A memorial service will he held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS. 66208.

So fill to me the parting glass,

And drink a health whate’er befalls.

I’ll gently rise and softly call

Good night and joy be to you all.

The Parting Glass, Scottish Trad.