Gustav Peter Blom

Gustav Peter Blom IV, of Orchard Lake, Michigan passed away peacefully on January 5, 2023, joining the love of his life, Martha. He was affectionately known as Papa by his grandchildren and Peter by others.

Peter was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Celia Johanna Boumeester Blom and Julius Blom, the local country doctor from Norway. He is preceded in death by his only brother, John Olaf Blom and John’s wife, Carol.

Peter and Martha were married for 73 years and had four children: Karen (Thomas) Spoto of Orchard Lake, MI, Julie Blom of Bloomfield Hills, MI and Kristin (Dudley) of Glen Ellyn, IL. He is preceded in death by Martha and their only son, Gustav Peter Blom V.

Peter had four grandchildren: Drew Malone (Margaret), Michael Malone (Stephanie), Celia Meyer (Ronald), and John McKenna; as well as Thomas Spoto’s two sons Anthony (Stacy) and Thomas, and six great grandchildren: Lincoln, Liberty, Grant, Hudson, Harper and Baker.

Peter attended Stout State University in Menominee, WI for one and a half years before enlisting in the Navy. He credits his mother for encouraging him to enroll in a Red Cross Lifesaving course. “I would not have met Martha if my parents had not insisted that I become a life-saving instructor.” His training as a life saving instructor allowed him to become a swimming instructor for Navy recruits. He was soon relocated to “boot camp” in Farragut, Idaho by the Navy. After that, he went to the University of Chicago for training at the Radio and Signal School. In 1945, he enrolled at the University of Illinois where he entered the V-12 Officer’s Training School. He majored in “Special Services.” He met Martha at the University of Illinois.

In June 1947 after Peter graduated from college, his family took a trip to Norway where his father was born. The trip had been planned for several years. He met many of his relatives for the first time and established very strong bonds with his family in Norway during this time.

Peter’s connection to his family in Norway grew very strong. He established a special log, “They Kept in Touch” which documented every trip the relatives took between the USA and Norway since his father emigrated to the United States in 1917. In 2014, Peter was interviewed by a Norwegian film crew who were doing a documentary to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Norwegian Constitution. Peter’s great, great grandfather, Gustav Peter Blom was one of the signers of the constitution.

Upon graduation from college, Peter began his career in sales in the automotive industry. He initially worked in sales for Raybestos Manhattan, and Chicago Rawhide before coming to Detroit in 1972. At that time he was given the opportunity to become a manufacturer’s representative for Goshen Rubber Company, Goshen Die Cutting and Syracuse Rubber, as well as a few other companies. He started by himself and grew his business to having a staff of six when he retired in 1990. He always worked hard and enjoyed his work. He has been described by those he worked with as honest as the day is long, a great leader with a habit of saying “just do it the right way.”

During his long and full life, Peter enjoyed golfing, tinkering and building in his workshop ( with his grandchildren), boating, feeding the birds in his yard, volunteering and serving in his church, and spending time with his family. Peter and Martha loved to travel together, and had many memorable trips, including many “Up North” to Good Hart, Michigan where they had built a special home on Lake Michigan in 1991.

Peter was a hard working, kind and caring person with a wonderful sense of humor. He was always interested in how he could help his family and friends. Family was important to him. He was loyal, faithful and loving to all who were fortunate to know him, as well as a role model and mentor to many. He was always grateful for the many good fortunes in his life. He will be missed.

A service to celebrate his life will be held on April 15, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian, located at 5171 Commerce Rd in Orchard Lake, Michigan. Details can be found on the Family Funeral Care website: godhardttomlinsonchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Peter’s name can be made to

Evans Scholars Foundation or the Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian.