Peter Gossel

After graduating from high school in Detroit, Peter Gossel began attending Lawrence Technological University in 1956. There, he earned a degree in electrical and electronic technology, before embarking on a career as an electrical engineer with Michigan Bell Telephone. In 1968, the company transferred him to New Jersey, where he became the department supervisor for a data management system.

It was in New Jersey that Peter and his wife, Grace, struck up a friendship with David Palmer, an attorney who lived four houses down. They socialized regularly and when Grace started two floral businesses and an antique shop, she rented space from buildings David owned.

After nearly 30 years with Bell, Peter retired in 1988 but remained an engineer through and through. He became a handyman at a Montessori school, where he used his “methodical and precise” approach to keep the school running, David said. Peter also embraced his sillier side each Easter, dressing up in a bunny suit and handing tulips to passersby outside one of Grace’s shops.

In 1990, Peter and Grace crafted their will with David’s help, and allocated everything to charity. Grace passed away in 2019, and Peter followed in 2022. Because of the Gossels’ foresight and generosity, LTU was able to establish the Peter and Grace Gossel Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Engineering—inspiring future students to pursue careers in engineering, just like Peter.

Inspire Future Students

To make your own planned gift, contact Kevin Finn at 248.204.2305 or kfinn@ltu.edu.