Peter Lindsley Thielke

Jan. 17, 1948 – April 25, 2026

Former Homer resident, Peter (Richard) Lindsley Thielke, 78, died April 25, 2026 in Ojai, Calif., following a year-long battle with bile duct cancer.  Peter was born Jan. 17, 1948 in Sitka, Alaska, and lived in Homer for more than 20 years between the late 1970s and late 1990s.

Peter’s parents were Lindsley Eagles Thielke and Beatrix Stevens Thielke who had arrived in Sitka in 1940 from New York City. He is survived by his brother, John (Karen) Thielke of Shoreline, Washington; sister, Eleanor (David) Thielke of Halfmoon Bay, British Columbia, Canada; son Sila Thielke (Amity) and daughter Aasta (Stefan Straka) Thielke, and his favorites, granddaughters Stella and Calla Straka.

Peter attended Johns Hopkins University where he played varsity basketball and afterward returned to Sitka to fish on the Baranof Queen for several summers. He received a teaching certificate from the University of Alaska and settled in Homer, where he taught high schoolers and then 7^th graders how to solve math problems.  His son and daughter were born and raised in Homer.

Peter moved to Ojai, Calif., in 1999 where he taught at the Oak Grove School and eventually became headmaster before he retired. During his retirement years, Peter continued to tutor students and served on the Senior Canyon Mutual Water Company board of directors and as its president for many years. In recognition of his service, the Water Company dedicated its main storage facility as the Peter Thielke Reservoir.

Peter is greatly missed by his family, all his friends and those who knew him over the years.