Kent Peach

Kent Palmroth Peach October 16, 1930 - December 29, 2016 Kent Palmroth Peach, Grand Forks, ND died peacefully December 29, 2016 at Banner Desert Hospital, Mesa, AZ from complications due to a sudden massive hemorrhagic stroke suffered on December 20, 2016.  Kent was born on October 16, 1930 in Fargo, North Dakota to Fred and Charlotte (Palmroth) Peach. Kent was raised on the family farm, near Erie, ND aka "Twin Birch Farm".  He graduated from Erie High School in 1948 but due to childhood polio he was unable to serve in the military. He went to NDSSS/Whapeton to attain his Plumbing and Heating degree.  He jokingly told people he had received his "PHD".   Kent met Karen Haug on a blind date in 1951 and they were married in Langdon, ND in 1953.  Later that year he joined the Plumbers and PipeFitters Union Local 300.  He worked as journeyman pipefitter for several years and later became a Master Plumber.  His first business, Opp & Peach, Inc., received the North Dakota Small Business of the Year Award in 1977.  In 1982, he started his own mechanical contracting business, Kent Peach, Inc. "Peach" was held in high regard in the construction business as he was known for doing the job "right" the first time.  Kent was a collector of many things, particularly cub cadets and antique tractors. He never threw anything away, preferring to store things at "the farm". He was an avid fisherman and hunter, flying back yearly to ND from AZ for deer season until he was 85.  Kent loved golfing every morning & evening at Lincoln Golf Course and being part of the seniors league. He treasured his friendships with his golf friends and McDonalds coffee buddies every morning in the summer months. One of Kent's hobbies was wood working and he was known for making stools with wood from Twin Birch Farm.  He made hundreds of them, gifting them to family and friends, as well as friends of friends, never asking for anything in return but a smile.   Kent lived a humble life to the absolute fullest. He was physically active from sunup to sundown, until December 20, 2016. His favorite saying was, "Come on, we're burning daylight!"  Kent viewed life with a "glass half full" attitude - he was always positive and had a dry sense of humor that made everyone laugh. Kent was a  Devoted husband, Devoted Dad (awesome father-in-law) & Devoted Grandpa to his six Granddaughters. His children thought the world of their father and their admiration was endless.  Kent is survived by his loving wife Karen of 63 years; his children: Konnie (Tom) Middleton of Fountain Hills, AZ; Kim Peach (Kristy) of  Choteau, MT and Kay (Art) Culver of Grand Forks.  He is also survived by six granddaughters that thought their Grandpa Peach was bigger than life itself:  Nicole Middleton, Lindsay Middleton, Adair Peach, Ella Peach, Kourtney Culver and Kaitlan Culver.   He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ellen Cabral of Mesa, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Charlotte Peach, and his brother, Jack Peach. Kent and Karen wintered in Mesa, Arizona for the past 30 years.  A memorial was held in Arizona on January 3rd at the Mesa Village clubhouse where Kent was very active and in charge of many activities.   Funeral services will be 10:00am  June 9th 2017 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1405 S 9th St., Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral service at Calvary Lutheran Church.   Burial will be held June 10th, 2017 at the Erie, ND cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations kindly to Calvary Lutheran Church or favorite charity.