D. Petermann von Lehe, Jr., M.D., of Goose Creek, “Doctor Pete” embarked on his last adventure March 23, 2023 after a long illness and full life. Born in Walterboro, South Carolina, March 2, 1934, he was the son of D. Petermann and Rhea Williams von Lehe. From infancy he loved the fields, swamps, woodlands, and people of the Lowcountry. He attended the Walterboro Public Schools and after the eleventh grade enrolled at The Citadel, graduating in the Class of 1955 with a BS in Pre-Med. A charter member of the Arnold Air Society, upon graduation he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, United Stated Air Force. His life-long interest in aviation started as a boy when he took flying lessons as a teenager and made his solo flight on his sixteenth birthday. After pre-flight training at Lackland AFB, he received primary pilot training at Stallings AB, Kinston, North Carolina, and Basic Jet Training at Laredo, AFB, Laredo, Texas, where he received his Pilot Wings at Moody AFB, Valdosta, Georgia. He graduated from the USAF All Weather Instrument School and transitioned into the Northrop F-89 “Scorpion” D, H and J Model All Weather interceptor. From there he served with the 321 Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) at Paine Field, Everette, Washington. This Interceptor Base was an important part of the ring of AIR Defense Command (ADC) Bases, tasked with being the first line of defense of the United States during the Cold War to protect from possible manned bomber attacks by the then hostile Soviet Union. The 321 FIS was the first ADC Unit armed with the secret MB-1 Genie Nuclear air-to-air missile. In order to study fighter operations in a nuclear environment, he volunteered to fly in the 1957 Nuclear Test, Operation Plumbbob flying out of Nellus AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada, being one of a flight of six who penetrated a “mushroom cloud “several minutes after detonation of the 20 Kt nuclear device. After discharge he rose to the rank of captain in inactive reserve. After release from active duty, he resumed his education at the Medical College of SC School of Pharmacy. A member of the Rho Chi Society Pharmaceutical Honor Society, he graduated with honors in 1961. After a year as a registered pharmacist, he reentered the MUSC School of Medicine, graduating in the Class of 1968. He served his General Internship at MUSC, always feeling that it helped make him a “real doctor.” The wide experience that he gained helped him do a better job when he “moonlighted” to supplement his stipend. A proud accomplishment was that he delivered over 200 babies before becoming a cardiologist. Following his internship, he completed two years in Internal Medicine Residency and a two-year Cardiology Residency, the last year as Chief Cardiology Resident, training in Cardiac Catheterization. He became an associate on the Cardiology staff from 1971 until 1975. He also worked with the Coronary Drug Project research study while at MUSC. In the spring of 1975, when he learned of plans to build the Trident Regional Hospital, he resigned from MUSC and was instrumental in starting the Cardiac Catheterization and Surgical Service there with other associates. Board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, he was a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians, a Fellow of Council of Clinical Cardiology, American Heart Association, a member of The American College of Physicians, South Carolina Medical Association, Charleston County and Dorchester Medical Societies. He served as president of the Coastal Medical Society. After entering private practice, he resumed his life-long love of flying and joined the Dixie Region Flying Association, rising to the office of president. Besides his USAF Jet ratings, he held Single and Multi-Engine Land, Single Engine Sea and Instrument Ratings. He was appointed Airman Medical Examiner and trained as accident investigator by the Federal Aviation Administration. Having always enjoyed the water with swimming and fishing, he became an avid free diver and scuba diver, traveling to the Bahamas and Florida for spear fishing and spring and cavern diving. While attending the International Cardiology Conference in Israel, he enjoyed snorkeling in the Red Sea. A great passion in his life was the sport of hunting, so he devoted as much time as possible to preparing for and hunting at his beloved Rock Spring Plantation. He was a Lifetime Endowment Member of the National Rifle Association, The National Wild Turkey Federation, Quality Deer Management Association, Second Amendment Foundation, and Palmetto Gun Club. Dr. Pete found joy in every aspect of the traditional southern life, never having a bad day in the outdoors. When younger, he enjoyed horseback riding, and through the years he was blessed to have several Brittany Spaniels, which were great companions in the fields or at home. He treasured the times he spent hunting, fishing, and dining on the catch-of-the-day with the “good ole boys.” He loved spending time with friends and patients at Camp Meetings with the old traditional hymns and revival. He could always find some humor in any situation and enjoyed nothing more than a good story. With the passing of so many of his lifelong friends, he was blessed to be able to hunt and fish with several young people he had mentored in the art of shooting and hunting. His time and effort was repaid manyfold as these “students” would assist him in having a memorable hunt when he became disabled. Dr. von Lehe is survived by his wife of 35 years Elfi; children, Cheryl (Andy Savage), Christi (Bob Sellars), D.P. von Lehe III, John A. von Lehe II; numerous grandchildren; and sister, Rhea von Lehe Ashley; and his constant companion “Sammy.” In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sister Valeria von Lehe Williams. The service will be held in Bethel Presbyterian Church, Walterboro, his childhood church, Monday, March 27, at 2pm with burial following at Live Oak Cemetery. The family will receive friends at a reception in Douglas Hall beginning at 1pm with viewing in the sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bethel Presbyterian Church, 403 Church Street, Walterboro, SC.