Peter Dodge

Peter Dodge, 69, of Rochester passed away on September 1. A memorial service for Peter will be held at Half Barrel on September 15 at 5:00 PM in Rochester. Pete was raised in Rochester, and his writing and artistic skills were evident early on. These talents were nurtured by his mother; while Pete was still in school, the two worked on marketing and promotions pieces together for Rochester area businesses. A studio arts major at the University of Minnesota, Pete became known as a consummate craftsman and innovator, first as a jeweler and then as a furniture designer. In 1987, he co-founded Tilt Chair Co., a manufacturer of futon furniture that showcased Petes designs. He served as the companys CEO until the company was disbanded in 1999, and then provided consulting services to furniture manufacturers in the U.S. and abroad. His designs were known not just for their aesthetic appeal, but for their ingenious mechanical workings; he held five patents for innovations that improved the functionality of folding futon furniture (and one his first for articulated handlebars for bicycles). He was working on a new furniture prototype in the final year of his life. Pete was a fixture on the West Bank in Minneapolis for nearly four decades and was deeply involved in neighborhood politics. He served on the neighborhoods Political Action Committee, where he dutifully sat through (almost) every meeting. He was a voracious reader, a builder of historically-accurate models of military machinery, and an adventurous cook. He loved entertaining, both at his home in Minneapolis and at his beloved second home, the family cabin near Rice Lake, WI. His final years were spent back in Rochester, where he renewed old friendships and cared for his mother. Occasionally irascible (less so as the years passed), Pete will be dearly remembered for the deep love he had for, and shared with, his friends and family. Peter is survived by his mother, Helen Dodge, of Rochester. He will be missed by many others, including friends Elizabeth Anne Woolner and John Kruesel, Uncle Bob Kropp , cousins Will Kropp , Wendy McDonagh, and Janet Pribyl , and brothers Eric Schmidt and Aaron Schmidt. The Dodge family would like to thank the Visiting Angels team of Rochester and the staff at Mayo Clinic Methodist Campus, 4th floor station. Special thanks to caregivers Olester Chappell of Mankato, and Echo Tischer and Eileen Johnson of Allina Home Community Services. Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to: Allina Home Homestead House 2350 26th Street N.W. Owatonna, MN 55060 507-446-0936. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com