Obituary

Chicago Philanthropist, Molex Executive Who Valued Family.

Fred "Pete" Love Krehbiel died October 19 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Pete's career was with Molex Inc., a worldwide leading manufacturer of electronic, electrical, and fiber optic interconnection systems. He joined in 1981 as an intern, working in the summers throughout high school. After graduating from Dartmouth College with a Bachelor of Arts (1988) and a Bachelor of Science in engineering (1989), he joined Molex full time as a design engineer in the company's America's Region automotive division. In 1993 he was promoted to engineering manager of the division, where he led the product development team that won the largest connector contract in Molex history. In 1994 he was named to Molex's board of directors and earned the Molex Excellence in Product Design Award for the development of the family of Delco filtered headers.

When Molex acquired Cardell Automotive in 1999, Pete relocated to Molex's new automotive division headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., and in 2000 was named division president. In 2007 he was promoted to vice president of product development and commercialization for Molex's new Global Divisions, and in 2009 he was named senior vice president of technology innovation. Pete retired from Molex when the company was sold in 2013—with more than 20 patents for his designs under his belt.

"Unlike many inventors Pete insisted on including every engineer on the patent, no matter how small their role," said his uncle, Fredrick A. Krehbiel, Molex Co-Chairman prior to its sale. "He always said it was a team effort, and he wanted the full team to receive the credit. He knew that having a name on a patent boosted your engineering career, and he helped so many build their careers."

Many More Accomplishments

Pete's accomplishments stretch far beyond engineering. He was extremely family-focused and was a wonderful photographer, a combination that led him to produce a hardbound book of photographs commemorating the year's highlights of shared times together for each immediate and extended family member.

Widely known for his generosity, he hosted numerous large annual events to benefit a host of charitable organizations. His truest love, however, was Chicago's Lurie Children's Hospital where he served on the hospital's Medical Center board for 16 years, beginning in 2004.

Pete had a zest for life. He loved Chicago and also loved traveling to many places, both for work and for fun.  He especially loved Lake Como, where he vacationed every year.  The many friendships he made were lifetime friendships and he loved every friend like family.

A Rare Combination

Pete was a talented and all-around athlete and an inquisitive reader. A competitive ski racer in high school and college, skiing remained a lifelong passion. He became a certified scuba diver in high school and earned his pilot's license in college. He loved cars as well as hunting with his father, tennis, water skiing, running, and road and mountain biking. He also enjoyed fun, social city sports, such as rollerblading, softball, kickball, and any other activity that gave him a chance to get together with family and friends. And, he was an avid reader of science, technology, and world affairs, and he especially loved science fiction.

Pete is survived by his parents, John H. Krehbiel Jr. and Posy Krehbiel; John's wife, Karen Gray-Krehbiel; his brother, Yaz (Kate) Krehbiel; his sister Meg Krehbiel; his fiancé, Amy Halvorsen; and his nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his aunt Kay Krehbiel and his close first cousins Liam (Karen) Krehbiel and their children and Jay (Silvia) Krehbiel and their children.  He is also survived by so very many wonderful friends.  Pete is predeceased by his uncle Fred Krehbiel.