Anthony John Peterle -- Zoology Professor

 

Anthony “Tony” John Peterle was born on July 25, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio, the youngest child of Anton Peterle and Anna Kothic Peterle.  Anton and Anna were both natives of Yugoslavia. Tony’s siblings consisted of four older sisters. He and his sisters grew up in Cleveland and went to the local schools.

Following graduation from high school he joined the U.S. Army in 1943. It was the height of World War II and he saw action as a member of the 10th Mountain Division in Italy and Germany.  In 1944, he was wounded and captured by the Germans and became a prisoner of war.  His liberation came after the attacks by General Patton’s army in 1945.  He was awarded the Purple Heart as a result of his wounds.

After the war, Tony, who had an interest in zoology, enrolled at the Utah State University where he earned his B.S. degree in 1949.  He then went on to attend the University of Michigan for his graduate studies where he earned his M.S. degree in 1950 and his PhD in 1954.  Tony then received a Fulbright Scholarship for studies in Scotland.

Tony returned to the University of Michigan where he worked with the Game Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.  He left that position to work at the Ohio State University with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  While at OSU, Tony was offered a job as a professor.  He taught wildlife toxicology to graduate student and went on to become chairman of the university’s zoology department.

Tony was the author of a book, Wildlife Toxicology, about the effects of toxic substances on ecological systems.  His research on pesticides and testimony before the U. S. Congress helped in the efforts to ban the use of DDT in the United States. His most cherished honor during his career was receiving the Aldo Leopold Memorial Medal, given to him by the Wildlife Society in 1990 for distinguished service to wildlife conservation. He retired from Ohio State University in 1989.  After retirement from the university, metal sculpting became Tony’s favorite pastime. His works were featured at area arts festivals and events.

While in the second grade Tony met Thelma Josephine Coleman whom he courted for the rest of his life. They were married in 1949. Together they would raise a family and travel the world, sharing a life of love and learning.  Thelma was born on May 28, 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio and was the daughter of Albert Milton Coleman and Ethel Garlock Hodson Coleman.  Albert was a native of Graves County, Kentucky and a descendant of Perry Thomas.  Ethel was a native of England.

Tony and Thelma were the parents of two children, one daughter and one son.  Ann Peterle was born in 1956 and married James Leslie Brooks.  Tony Scott Peterle was born in 1959 and married Kelly Colleen Sutton.

Tony died on November 15, 2011 at the age of 86 in the Grady Memorial Hospital in Delaware, Ohio.  He was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Delaware, Ohio.  His wife, Thelma, died on November 18, 2007 at the age of 81 in the Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.  She was also buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

LINEAGE: (Anthony John Peterle was the husband of Thelma Josephine Coleman.  Thelma was the daughter of Albert Milton and Ethel Garlock Hodson Coleman and the granddaughter of Bluford Boyd and Frances Carman Coleman.  Bluford was the son of Albert Thomas and Rhoda Josephine Lancaster Coleman.  Albert was the third child of Alfred Boyd and Alpha Thomas Coleman.  Alpha was the second child of Perry and Elizabeth Josephine Bridges Thomas.  Perry was the third child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)