Peter G. Kost

Peter G. Kost, 71, of Centerville, formerly of Meadville, died peacefully at his home on Friday February 1st, 2013 with his family at his side.

Pete was born in Meadville to Calvin and Catharine Stolz Kost, and graduated from Meadville High School second in his class.  He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as an M.B.A. degree from Kent State University.  Pete enjoyed many successes in his first career as an executive with the Timken Company of Canton, Ohio, where he married Linda Hecker Byers and raised three children.

In 1992, Pete moved back to his beloved Crawford County, where he opened Kost Computer, a full-service computing and office needs business on Park Avenue.  Kost Computer grew to a 3-store Northwest Pennsylvania family business, which he ran for nearly 20 years with his current wife, Judy Kost.

Pete will be remembered by many for his tireless dedication to community service, which earned him the rank of Eagle Scout while in high school.  His service contributions were wide and varied throughout his life, and included leadership positions in the Boy Scouts of America, the Jaycees, the Kent State Alumni Association, and many school, civic, and business organizations.  Since returning to the Meadville area, Pete’s service work had been focused around forestry and sustainability.  Pete served as Secretary for the Northwest Pennsylvania Woodland Association for 10 years and was named Forester of the Year in 2002 by the Crawford Conservation District for his outstanding forest stewardship.

In addition to community service and forestry, Pete’s interests included fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, gardening, history, and writing.  As an outdoor enthusiast and champion of Crawford County’s rich history and environment, he wrote many feature articles for the Meadville Tribune on such topics as the Rhododendron and Amelanchier blossoms, George Washington’s trek through the area, and racing legend Ray Harroun.

As remarkable as Pete’s love affair with Crawford County is, it pales in comparison to his love affair with Judy, his wife of 16 ½ years, which he considered to be his greatest adventure.  An always positive and enthusiastic guy, Pete was a husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother who loved and cared for his family more deeply than words can express. In addition to his wife, Judy of Centerville, Pete leaves behind his mother Catharine of Meadville, three children and three step-children, Mike Kost of Los Angeles, CA, Karen Kost Boehmer and her husband Jim of Seattle, WA, Susan Kost Swirsky and her husband Marc of Los Angeles, CA, Chris Villani and his wife Sara of Meadville, Lisa Hawkins and her husband Dustin of Crofton, MD, and Justin Villani and his wife Leslie of Sonora, CA; two brothers, Frank Kost and his wife Anne of Schenectady, NY and Eric Kost and his wife Jeri of Perrysburg, OH; 10 grandchildren, Annie and Caroline Kost, Nathan and Sky Boehmer, Izzy Swirsky, Chris Jr. and Ayda Villani, Aydan and Reilly Hawkins, and Rocco Villani, many nieces and nephews, and his much loved dog, Sassy.  He was preceded in death by his father Calvin Kost of Meadville and his aunt, Betty Stolz Balizet.  He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Calling hour will be Saturday, February 16th from 10-11 a.m. at McCracken Chapel, Cribbs Home, Wesbury United Methodist Community, 31 N. Park Avenue, Meadville.  The memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. in McCracken Chapel with Rev. Philip Torre, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice of Crawford County, Inc., 310 North Monroe Street, Titusville, PA 16354, or to the Northwest Pennsylvania Woodland Association, 2811 Buie Road, Kingsville, OH 44048.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

Please share a memory of Pete for the family at waidfuneralhome.net