REFERENCE TITLE: death resolution; Dr. Peter Pingerelli

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

HR 2009

Introduced by

Representative Pingerelli

A Resolution

                on the death of dr. peter pingerelli.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Dr. Peter Pingerelli passed away on February 18, 2024 at the age of 65.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Peter Pingerelli grew up in an Italian household. He and his family began confronting the effects of his neuromuscular disease, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), by his first birthday. The physical limitations of his SMA led to his early educational years occurring outside of the mainstream public educational system. Eventually, he was enrolled in public school, an experience that profoundly influenced the course of his future educational and career goals.

Peter attended Fitzgerald High School before attending Wayne State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in Biophysics. While attending Wayne State University, Peter met his future wife, Beverly. He would frequent the lab where Beverly worked with poisonous dart frogs, calling Bev his frog lady. Peter and Beverly were married for 35 years in a relationship marked by commitment, growth and an unwavering belief in each other. In 1995, they welcomed their first child, Kayla, followed by Angela in 1997.

Peter always reminded his girls that "work is the essence of life," a testament to the value he placed on hard work and contribution. His work experience included 25 years in the biotechnology industry directing commercial research and development, product management and marketing as an Academic Program Coordinator & Codirector of the Neuro-Proteomics Laboratory at the Barrow Neurological Institute. Dr. Pingerelli was an energetic educator and Associate Adjunct Faculty member at Grand Canyon University where he also served on the science advisory board. He held a specialized secondary STEM certificate through the Arizona Department of Education. His publications included commercial and academic works in the fields of neuroscience, biotechnology and space science and, more recently, included publications and essays reflecting on education, culture and disability. Dr. Pingerelli served two terms as a governing board member on the Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC), focused on career technical education opportunities for high school students and adults. He also managed his wife's campaigns, leading to two successful runs for the Arizona House of Representatives.

Peter Pingerelli spent his life advocating for reliance on one's own abilities, uncovering the potential of those abilities and, in the face of challenges, achieving personal well-being. His story is one of remarkable resilience and a testament to what the human mind, body and spirit can achieve and overcome if you make the choice to keep moving forward.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona:

That the Members of the House of Representatives express sincere regret at the death of Dr. Peter Pingerelli and extend their deepest condolences to his surviving family members.