Peter Hennig

Sep 17, 1937 -

Dec 17, 2024

Anchorage, Alaska, resident Peter Ernst Hennig, 87, passed away on Dec. 17, 2024, at home, of respiratory/heart failure. Peter, a German immigrant was born on Sept. 17, 1937, in Dresden, Germany, and became an American citizen on Dec. 13, 1968, in Anchorage.

Peter lived a life full of adventure, passion and dedication. He had a deep love for the mountains and nature, which was reflected in his lifelong wishes. In accordance with his final requests, a portion of his remains will be flown to Mountain Russell and dispersed at its base camp - a place that held great significance to him. The remainder of his ashes will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Elisabeth Hennig, at Angelus Memorial Park.

Peter was a lifelong mountaineer, skier and kayaker. He was an avid member of several climbing, skiing and kayaking groups, where he formed lasting friendships and shared his love for the outdoors. It was his love of mountain climbing that brought him to Alaska from Germany, where he met his wife Elisabeth through the Anchorage German Club.

Peter was on the first ascent of Mount Russell on May 28, 1962, with Klaus Ekkerlein and Robert Goodwin. In May 1967, he was on a five-man German American team that first climbed West Kahiltna with Bernhard Segger and Lowell Smith. He climbed Denali and is under the first 100 ascents of the mountain.

He was written about and photographed in several American and German mountain climbing magazines and featured in several books, "Minus 148: The First Winter Ascent of Mount McKinley" by Art Davidson and "Wager with the Wind: The Don Sheldon Story" by James Greiner.

As a lifelong athlete he also enjoyed soccer, jogging, cross-country skiing, hiking, surfing and swimming. In the 80s and early 90s, he often supported USA Alaska Swimming as a referee for local area Anchorage swim meets.

He was a master carpenter and cabinet maker, and a proud member of the Carpenters Union of Alaska. He built the Edelweiss Apartment Complex with Erhard Krinke in 1975, along with many other apartment complexes and commercial buildings in Anchorage as well. He loved to carve and do custom woodworking projects.

His family said, "Peter took great pride in being 'Opa' to all his grandchildren." He was loved by many, and his joyful presence will be missed.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Karl Hennig and Hertha Hennig (Stein); stepmother, Hedel Hennig; brother, Gustav Hennig; wife, Elisabeth Hennig (Brendel); and son, Georg (Michael) Greaser. Survivors are his three children, Kirsten Anderson, Tina Greaser and Christopher Hennig; sister-in-law, Judy Brendel; 16 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

In lieu of donations, consider a walk, hike or outdoor adventure in remembrance of Peter.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 825 S. Klevin Street.