Kermit Peter Henninger

Pete was born on the 14th of June 1959 to Kermit Mandes Henninger and Mary Ann Hampton Henninger in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. As the son of a West Point graduate during the Vietnam War era, he grew up experiencing the adventures and challenges of life as an Army brat. This included living across the US and beyond, including Texas, Georgia, Colorado, Taiwan, Virginia, Florida, Illinois, and Kansas. But as a result of his father's military tours at West Point from 1967-1969 and 1975-1977, he considered West Point his home.

During his father's second tour at the Academy, Pete finished high school, gaining renown as a member of the newly ascendant O'Neill High School soccer team. He became a track star and a member of the mile relay team that placed fourth in the state in 1977. Pete went on to win the Section 9 Decathlon with 6,055 points--an Orange County and Section 9 record, which was no surprise to those who knew him. Pete took his remarkable abilities to West Point where he excelled as a fullback for the Army soccer team for all four years. He also was a three-year member, with some later regrets, of the Chinese Club. But more important than any other achievement, he met his future wife, Katherine Lowrey, also of West Point. They were married at the Cadet Chapel in August of 1982.

Pete was commissioned into the Field Artillery and attended the U.S. Army Ranger School during the winter of 1981-1982. While mere survival and passing was a remarkable achievement unto itself, he proved to be a man among men by becoming the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his class. His first assignment was at Ft. Riley, Kansas, where he served in the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, culminating with his final assignment as Fire Support Officer. It was here that his first daughter Mary Kate was born. Following the Advanced Course at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, Pete was assigned as Battery Commander of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery in Neu Ulm, Germany. Recognized quickly as a soldier's soldier and true leader, he was given a second command as the Commander of the Headquarters Company of the First Infantry Division (Forward) in Goppingen, Germany. Second daughter Meaghan was born during this assignment.

Pete then attended the Combined Arms Services Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth in the spring of 1989, and in 1990 moved Kate, Mary Kate and Meaghan to Ft. Leavenworth. Here he attended a master's program for Operations Research/Systems Analysis. In 1992, he chose to separate from the military with an honorable discharge.

Once out of the military, Pete pursued a career in manufacturing in the packaging industry in several upper managerial roles in Kansas, Ohio, and Texas. He later ran a training center for engineering software. In 2008, he became an Educator, teaching higher math and science course in a Houston Metropolitan public school system. He retired from teaching in 2023, to the sorrow of the many students and faculty who loved him.

Men of the highest character, clarity of mind, and deep humility are few and far between, and to all of us it was an honor and privilege to know him. His calm and reassuring presence made him a mentor to both students and colleagues. Pete was a levelheaded, analytical problem solver who had a rare ability to see clearly the nature of complex and difficult problems; the natural result was that he was sought out by those around him--whether in a work environment or in other areas of his community. Although his integrity, honesty and selflessness made him a trusted source of wisdom to all, those who met him were most deeply struck by his profound gentleness and kindness. Pete Henninger's mastery of character and moral strength gave all a sense that everything would turn out okay. If there was one thought common among those that knew him, it was that we all wished there were more men like him.

Pete is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ann Henninger in 2015. He is remembered with the deepest love by his wife of 42 years, Katherine Lowry Henninger, his two daughters, Mary Katharine Copeland and Meaghan Elizabeth Henninger, and his granddaughter, Maple Ann Copeland. He is also survived by his father, Kermit Mandes Henninger, his sister Anne Frances Henninger of South Carolina, along with his brother Kurt Mandes Henninger and his family--Jennifer Quin Henninger and their two daughters, Abigail and her husband, Owen Stout and Elisabeth Henninger of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He is remembered dearly by his sister-in-law, Elizabeth, and her family: Brother-in-law Edward Dolan of Brooksville, Florida and their children Julia McCoy Dolan of Katy, Texas and Edward James Dolan of Spring Hill, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Huntington's Disease Society of America. https://hdsa.org/get-involved/donation-opportunities/