In Memory of Wisconsin Pilot, Peter Laper

Published in Midwest Flyer – February/March 2018 issue

PEWAUKEE, WIS. – Longtime Wisconsin pilot and the treasurer of the Wisconsin Aviation Trades Association (WATA), Peter Laper, 62, died unexpectedly December 31, 2017 at his home in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

Born in Fairwater, Wisconsin on May 12, 1955, Laper worked for many years as a charter pilot and flight instructor at Gran-Aire, Inc. at Milwaukee Timmerman Airport before landing his position as chief pilot at Oldenburg Group, Inc. in Glendale, Wis., where he flew a Cessna Citation Sovereign. Laper holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

On August 25, 2017, he and his wife, Cindy, celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary. In addition to Cindy, Laper is survived by his daughters Chelsey (Dexter) Runyard and Carly (Joe) Kramer; his son Phillip; five granddaughters: Emma Runyard, MacKenna Runyard, Lucy Kramer, Josie Kramer, and Olivia Kramer; his brother Patrick (Kathleen) Laper; and his sister Joanne (Al) Arroyo, and their families. Laper’s parents, Phyllis and Florian, preceded him in death.

In addition to the Wisconsin Aviation Trades Association, Laper was a dedicated member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Waukesha, Wisconsin.