Hans Peter Mehr

Hans Peter Mehr, age 90, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio, entered the Church Triumphant on January 7, 2021.  Born on October 12, 1930 in Redvers, Saskatchewan, Canada, to naturalized U.S. citizens, Johannes George Ludvig Mehr and Maria Katharine (Hansen) Mehr, his parents moved their family back to Denmark in 1933 where Hans grew up. Hans returned to the States in 1949 for college, graduating from Iowa State University at the top of his class. 

His entire professional career was with General Electric as a mechanical engineer where he designed and tested jet engines.  Hans was awarded two patents during his career.  His first few days with GE were in Fort Wayne, but he settled in Cincinnati to work at the Evandale plant.  He married, raised his family and resided in the greater Cincinnati area until 2019 when he returned to Fort Wayne to be near his daughters, Cindy Ann Wolfer of Fort Wayne and Susan Maria Steele, now of Noblesville, Indiana, who survive him. 

He was active in his communities, had a good sense of humor and enjoyed helping others, which included being elected and serving on Mason (Ohio) City Council between 1964 and 1985, providing leadership and expertise in public utilities and finance.  Ever the problem solver, in retirement he tried his hand at rental properties, but also enjoyed traveling the world with his second wife, Joanne M. Mehr, who predeceased him in 2020.  Also predeceasing Hans was his beloved youngest brother, Kristian, who died a toddler in Denmark in 1941. 

Hans is survived by his daughters, Cindy and Susan, grandchildren, Michael S. Wolfer (Katie) of Crown Point, IN, Lauren C. Wolfer of Fort Wayne, and Paul T. Steele of Carmel, Indiana, great-grandchildren, Caleb M. and Matthew J. Wolfer, and brothers John V. Mehr of Dumfries, VA and Carl A. Mehr (Marilyn) of San Diego, CA and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be interred in a private service at Concordia Gardens Memorial Cemetery in Fort Wayne next to his wife, Joanne.  In lieu of flowers, preferred memorial contributions are to his inner-city church, First Lutheran Church, 1208 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, who posted his granddaughter’s article about Hans’s patents and career, see:  http://fwmoa.blog/2020/05/25/treasures-from-home-ge-engine-blueprints/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hans Peter Mehr, please visit our floral store.