Peter M Lenhardt's Obituary
LENHARDT, PETER MICHAEL "Pete"
Pete was born October 19, 1932 in New York City. He was a Roman Catholic. Pete was pre-deceased by his parents, Peter Max and Eva Lenhardt. He spent his adolescent years in the Bronx about 10 blocks from Yankee Stadium where he attended many Yankees baseball games. He was a sports enthusiast all of his life and played baseball, football and golf. Pete graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and went on to attend Champlain College in Plattsburg, New York. He then transferred to Florida Southern College in Lakeland Florida his sophomore year when the Champlain campus was closed by the U.S. government during the Korean War to build a Strategic Air Command Center. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Pete met Mary Helen Kelley in Macon Georgia and were married June 1, 1957. They moved to Florida in 1959. Pete worked for several years as an account executive for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. During his tenure with Liberty Mutual, he received a number of awards and in 1962, was named top personal lines producer in the Southeastern U.S. Pete acquired his real estate brokers license in 1964 and co-founded a land development company in Clearwater where he served for fifteen years as company vice-president and director of marketing. The company had land developments in several Florida counties. In 1974, Pete purchased East Bay Country Club which the Lenhardt family owned until it was sold in 1995. Pete admired Yankee legend Joe DiMaggio with whom he had the opportunity of playing golf at East Bay Country Club while Mr. DiMaggio was in Clearwater to dedicate the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex. Mr. DiMaggio beat Pete by one stroke. One of Pete's prized possessions is a photograph of Joe DiMaggio and Pete sitting out on the clubhouse terrace after their round of golf. Other memorable times were when the famous daredevil Evel Knievel spent several winters at East Bay Country Club in his motorhome parked in the woods adjacent to the 11th fairway. Mr. Knievel and Pete played golf a number of times over the years. Pete was also the co-owner/operator of other golf courses: Meadowbrook Golf Club in Gainesville, Florida, Crescent Oaks Golf Club in Tarpon Springs, Florida, Oak Grove Island Golf Club in Brunswick, Georgia and owner/operator of Magnolia Valley Golf Club in New Port Richey Florida. Pete was a past member of the Republican Party Inner Circle and was invited to and attended a dinner in Washington D.C. celebrating Dwight Eisenhower’s 25th Inaugural Anniversary. His past civic, social and professional affiliations include: Past President of the St. Cecelia Catholic School PTA, Parish Council of St. Cecelia Catholic Church, Past President of Clearwater Central Catholic High School PTA, Committee of Twelve at Clearwater Central Catholic High School, Springtime Kiwanis of Clearwater, Clearwater/Largo Board of Realtors, National Real Estate Exchange, Florida Real Estate Exchange, Clearwater Touchdown Club, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Largo Chamber of Commerce, Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary-Clearwater Chapter, Pinellas County Honorary Deputy Sheriff and long time member of Belleair Country Club. Pete enjoyed traveling with the family, especially Christmastime ski trips to Steamboat Springs Colorado. Of particular interest was a family trip to Europe in 1981 to locate some of Pete's relatives in Germany, Austria, Hungary and Romania. In recent years, Pete enjoyed cruises with Helen, family and friends. Pete was an enthusiastic golfer, having played for over 50 years. He also enjoyed watching Yankees baseball, old classic movies, and playing cards with his friends and family.
He will always be remembered for his generous spirit and his natural ability to bring joy and laughter to friends and family.
Pete is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen Kelley Lenhardt of Clearwater, five daughters, Teresa (Robert), Eva Renee, Sheila, Catherine (Kris), Patrice (Mike), and one son, Peter Michael III (Robin), ten grandchildren, Dustin, Brandon, Bobby, Lindsay, Tyler, Marissa, Michael, Peter Michael IV, Lainey and Luke, all of whom reside locally.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Peter's name to:
SUNCOAST HOSPICE FOUNDATION
5771 ROOSEVELT BOULEVARD
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA 33760
Hospice Foundation
Suncoast Hospice Foundation
OR
THE NEW YORK YANKEES FOUNDATION
ONE STEINBRENNER DRIVE
TAMPA, FLORIDA 33614
The New York Yankeess Foundation
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