Pete Gesell

Memorial Weekend is spent at Owasippe Scout Reservation, cooking for boy scouts as they work to prepare camp for the summer. Pete and Helen arrived Thursday night (before midnight, an accomplishment!) as usual and after unpacking in the rain, they headed to their cabins for a few hours of sleep. Friday morning (5/28), Pete woke up on the floor in pain. His wrist and ribs were all that hurt and Helen took him to urgent care for a once over. Nothing was broken and they returned to camp, excited and ready to get to the cooking and prepping. After dinner in the midst of making Pete's famous meatballs, he started to feel faint. Dr. Olivia-Patch Stevenson came to monitor and assess, giving fluids and checking blood pressure, watching for it to return to a range that is normal. Around 10:30, Pete was up and moving and reportedly feeling better. Shortly after, things turned. Pete suddenly was complaining of a major headache, pressure, and pain that was unbearable. At this point, Helen said 'to the hospital!', which Pete had previously denied. Along the way to the hospital, he became unresponsive and was met at the doors of the emergency room by many people preparing to bring him in. Pete had emergency brain surgery in the early hours of Saturday, May 29th at Mercy Health Hospital in Muskegon, Michigan. Following surgery, he was placed in a medically induced coma to allow his brain to rest and heal. 


This site has been created to provide updates to the many friends, family, and large community that loves and cares for Pete. Posts are being managed by the future daughters-in-law of Pete. Lauren (Matthew's fiancee), is a Nurse Practioner and brings her medical knowledge to give straightforward, information-driven updates. Katie (Emily's fiancee), is a Social Worker and brings her insight and discernment of that information to give narrative, whole picture updates. Leave a comment, send well wishes, prayers, positive thoughts, and love for Pete's recovery.