CUSHING — Peter J. Schwalbenberg, 70, passed away following a brief illness, Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at University of California Medical Center, in San Diego, California, with his loving wife Natchayawan (Aong) at his side.

Born in New York, New York, the son of Peter J. and JeanAnn Powers Schwalbenberg, Peter grew up in Putnam County, New York.

He received his Bachelor of Engineering, Marine, Mechanical from the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, Bronx, New York in 1972. He was a Licensed, Third Assistant Engineer Unlimited Horsepower, Steam and Motor to the United States Coast Guard and served as a lieutenant JG in the Navy Reserves.

After graduation Peter worked from 1972 to 1977 as a Field Engineer for General Electric Co. He Co-founded STEAMCO Corporation in 1977. In 1986, Peter founded P. J. Schwalbenberg & Associates, Inc., specializing in service engineering and repair of marine steam turbines, gears, turbine generators, and related equipment, which he led until his death. Through his work, he traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East and lived for twelve years in Singapore.

While in Singapore, Peter met his wife, Natchayawan Kaokaew. They divided their time between Thailand and Cushing, Maine.

In Cushing, he founded Cushing Diesel Services, a diesel truck repair shop.

Peter is survived by his wife of 15 years, Natchayawan Kaokaew; his daughter (from a prior marriage), Jennifer Schwalbenberg of London, England; two brothers: Robert and his wife Rosemary of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and Richard and his wife Sharlene of Salem, Wisconsin; two sisters: Joanne (Jody) Duran of Falmouth, Maine, and Nancy Colson and her husband Clifford Colson, Jr. of Owls Head, Maine; as well as twelve nieces and nephews.

Peter will be remembered not only by his family but also by the marine industry. He will be forever remembered and respected by his colleagues around the world for his talent and skill, knowledge of his craft, his timely voice of reason, as well as his warm heart, generosity, and clever sense of humor.

A graveside service will be held Friday, July 24, 2020, at 11 a.m., at Coughlin Memorial Cemetery, Upper Rankin Street, Rockland, Maine.

Memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society, New England Division Inc., One Main Street, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086-1240; or the Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO) Food Pantry, 70 Thomaston Street, Rockland, ME, 04841.

To share a memory or condolence with Peter’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.