Peter Casagrande

A Celebration of Life for Peter Joseph Casagrande, PHD, of Lawrence, Kansas, will be held Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Visitation begins at 11:30 and the celebration service begins at noon. The family invites all friends to attend and, if you wish, to share your memories of Peter. The Celebration will be held at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 West 13th Street, in Lawrence, KS.

Kansas University Professor Emeritus Peter Casagrande, PHD passed away peacefully at age 86 on 09/26/2025 at his residence in Lawrence. Dr. Casagrande is survived by his two daughters Teresa and Elizabeth, two sons Chris and Vincent, and five grandchildren. Peter was preceded in death by a daughter, Antonia, and by his wife of 63 years, Pamela Casagrande.

Peter was born on 12/19/1938 in Delabole, Pennsylvania to Anthony and Alvera Casagrande (nee Suzanetto). Peter grew up in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania with two brothers Joseph and Anthony. Upon graduation from Pen Argyl Joint High School Peter attended Gettysburg College in Gettysburg PA., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in French. After his graduation, Peter was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. In 1960, while attending the University of Indiana in pursuit of his Doctorate, Peter met his soulmate Pamela Mills in their first graduate class at the university. The two were married. Then, in 1962, Peter was commissioned to active duty serving in both the Intelligence and Infantry Branches before retiring as a Captain in 1966. Also in 1966, Peter took a job with the KU English Department and although he served as Associate Chairman of English and as Associate Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, his first love was classroom teaching which he did for 43 years. During these years, Peter published five books on Thomas Hardy, the focus of his studies. After retirement from KU, Peter returned to his love of horses and hunting, as well as being an amazing grandad.

The family sends their gratitude to the Presbyterian Manor staff and to St. Croix Hospice for their caring support.

The family respectfully requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in memory of Peter to: LMH Health Foundation FBO Oncology Services.

Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.