Peter Lord Fetterolf, 93

Peter Lord Fetterolf, whose steady leadership helped guide early developments in computer storage and whose quiet devotion to family and community defined his life, died on November 17, 2025. He was 93 and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Born on January 19, 1932, in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, Mr. Fetterolf was the son of Josephine Lord Fetterolf and Peter F. Fetterolf. He grew up with his sister, Anne Fullerton, and graduated from Abington High School in 1948. As teenagers, he and Lucy Parkes Thompson began a relationship that continued through college; they married on December 17, 1955, and shared nearly 70 years of partnership marked by loyalty, steadiness, and a deep commitment to their family.

Mr. Fetterolf graduated from Williams College in 1953, where he played football and served as president of Theta Delta Chi fraternity, and earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1958.  He moved to Long Island to join Potter Instrument, an early innovator in disk and tape-drive technology. 

In the early 1970s, he co-founded Datamedic, a medical billing firm for physicians and dentists. As CEO for more than two decades, he led with humility and a steady hand until his retirement in the late 1990s.

Family was always at the center of his life. Mr. Fetterolf was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who rarely missed a game, school event, or milestone. He approached parenting with patience and quiet encouragement and found his greatest joy in cheering on his children and grandchildren at their many sporting events and gathering the family together whenever he could.

Mr. Fetterolf gave generously to his community, serving 25 years on the Cold Spring Harbor School Board, which honors his legacy with the Peter L. Fetterolf Scholar/Athlete Award. He also served on the boards of St. Johnland Nursing Home and the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum and as treasurer of Old First Church for 15 years.

A lifelong athlete, he played tennis into his 90s, skied into his 80s, and enjoyed golf with friends and family. He believed in staying active but treasured the connection and companionship even more.

Mr. Fetterolf is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Lucy Thompson Fetterolf, age 92; his sister, Anne Fullerton; his four children—Peter, David,  John,  and Liz, —and 11 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 29, at 11 AM at Old First Presbyterian Church, 125 Main Street, Huntington, NY.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/peter-fetterolf/obituary/

Copy