Alvin Reinhart Piegols

Alvin Reinhart Piegols was born November 25, 1922 at the family farm in Midland, Michigan to Frieda Marie Feinauer Piegols and George Herman Piegols. Alvin was born
prematurely, the younger of twins at approximately 2 pounds, 3 ounces, he and his twin brother were kept warm near the wood-stove.

Alvin is survived by his wife of 73 years, Dorothy; his daughters Lois Friedrich, Diane Bicknell (Arthur); his sons George (Florence), Bruce (Rhonda); his son in law Reverend James
Anderson; his brother Frederick; his sisters Doris and Mary Ann; his grandchildren Judith Whitted (David), Tracy Bicknell (Helen), Eric Piegols (Tamara), Dr. Teresa Finnern,
PhD (Travis), Christopher Anderson (Karen), Michael Anderson, Kirk Piegols (Yangfeng), Dr. Janet Roark, DVM (Shaun), AnnMarie Anderson, Carol Long (Matthew), Adrienne Jones (William), George McNicholas-Follett, Rebekah Raines (Matthew), Jeremy Bicknell and Joshua Piegols. great grandfather to Rachel Hawkins, Marissa Piegols, Abigail Piegols, Alexis Whitted, Skylar Banting, Jason Whitted, Nicholas Banting, Trevor Whitted, Samuel Anderson, Sonnet Finnern, Samantha Jones, Marlena Anderson, Elizabeth Long, Jonathan Long, Ian Piegols, and Rosemary Long; great great grandfather to Charlotte Lyons. 

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents Frieda and George Piegols, his daughter Clara Anderson, his son in law Paul Friedrich his brothers Norman (Mary) and Alton (Martha); his sister Mildred (Bernard); his brothers in law Richard, Henry and Arthur; his sister in law Florence.

Alvin was raised on a farm in Midland, Michigan. In 1941 he graduated from Midland High School. He worked a year so his twin brother could take advantage of a college scholarship. In the fall of 1942 he started college at the University of Michigan. In the spring of 1943 his unit of the Army Reserves was called into active duty. Alvin attended basic training at Camp Roberts in California. He was commissioned to the 11th Armored Division of the Corps of Army Engineer Battalion as a mine sweeper. Prior to that, he was a cook. He fought in World War II in England, France, Belgium and Austria. After the Battle of Bastogne, also known as the “Battle of the Bulge” he found a German parachute made of white silk which he sent to his fiancé, Dorothy, in Michigan. She used the silk material for her wedding dress.

On May 5, 1945 a platoon of 23 men from the 11th Armored Division of the US Third Army, led by Staff Sgt. Albert J. Kosiek liberated the Mauthausen main concentration
camp.  A picture is attached of "Prisoners cheer 11th Armored Division on May 6, 1945."

Alvin and Dorothy were married in March 1946 in Ann Arbor, Michigan and honeymooned in Niagara Falls, NY in June.

Alvin completed his bachelors’ degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University June 1950 and began working for Dow Chemical in Midland, Michigan. Due to an economic downturn, Alvin was laid off in 1958. Alvin and Dorothy moved to Indian Head, Maryland in September 1958. Alvin began working at the Potomac River Command. Alvin was a retired chemical engineer.

Alvin was devoted to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to his church, family and friends.  He had a passion for volunteer work: Lutheran Church of Our Savior as Sunday School
Superintendent, usher, mower, President of the Counsel, Elder. He was a generous supporter for numerous charities: Wycliffe Bible Translators, The Jesus Film Project,
Lutheran Church of Our Savior. Alvin had a passion for gardening.

His favorite hymns:
I’ll Fly Away
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
All Hail the Power of Jesus Name
Beautiful Savior
Crown Him with Many Crowns
My Faith Looks Up to Thee
O Savior, Precious Savior
Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus
The Church’s One Foundation

His favorite bible verse “Isaiah 40:30 – 31 “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

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