Peter Laurence Siems, 86

Peter Laurence Siems, 86, passed away on Saturday, July 21, 2018, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Peter was born on January 26, 1932, near London, England, to Bertram and Dorothy Siems. He attended schools in Yorkshire, England and earned his undergraduate degree in geology from the University of London.

In 1957, Peter met Willemina DenHeeten, from Holland, and on July 6, 1957, they were married in London. In 1957, they moved to South Africa, where Peter worked for the Anglo American Company as a mine geologist. They had their first two children, Robin and Donald.

The family immigrated to the United States in 1961, where Peter attended Colorado School of Mines and received his doctorate in 1965.

Their third child, Carol, was born in Golden. Peter and family then moved to Moscow, where their fourth child, Christopher, was born.

Peter enjoyed a 32-year career as a professor of geology at the University of Idaho. Peter retired in 1997 and moved to Sandpoint in 2002.

Peter enjoyed traveling; he and Willi visited many countries for both work and pleasure.

He greatly enjoyed teaching and research and was considered an expert in mining history. He also enjoyed classical and jazz music and photography. During his retirement, he cultivated a Japanese-style garden at this residence.

Peter is survived by his wife, Willi Siems of Sandpoint; daughter, Carol (Bob) Bensen of Sandpoint; sons, Robin Siems of Culver, Ind., Donald Siems of Sandpoint, and Christopher (Denise) Siems of Portland, Ore.; four grandchildren, Cor, Ali, Conner, and Samantha; and a sister, Jill Cassidy of Chichester, United Kingdom.

The family will host a gathering at the Heartwood Center in Sandpoint at 11 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements.

Please visit Peter’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.