Millbrook – Peter Daye Bethke died on June 25, 2016 at home in Millbrook, NY. He was 79 years old.
Son of Amos and Marjorie ( Hughes) Bethke, Peter was born in New York City on March 14, 1937. In 1948, his family moved to Briarcliff Manor where he met his bride of 57 years, Diana Appleton Moses.
A Graduate of Lehigh University and Columbia University Business School, he and Diana moved to the upper west side of Manhattan, and Peter co-founded Terraquip Incorporated in 1962. Peter led the company, headquartered in Tererboro, NJ as Executive Vice President of Sales for more than 40 years.
After his retirement in 2006, Peter and Diana moved to their weekend residence of 30 years in Millbrook, NY where he enjoyed the outdoor work on their wooded property. His love of music especially opera, brought he and Diana to many local area performances. An avid reader, Peter’s library holds more than 6,000 volumes, many of them first editions, biographies and a rare collection of T>E Lawrence. Always with at least a paperback in his pocket, Peter volunteered in book repair at the Millbrook Library. Peter was a member of the New York Athletic Club for more than 50 years.
He is survived by his wife, his brother John, daughter Alison and her husband, and his grandchildren Amos and Hannah, and nieces Charlotte and Sarah. A Memorial at the family residence will be held in August.
