NEW GLOUCESTER – Peter J. Kern, 62, of New Gloucester passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 4 at his home.

He was born in Lewiston, on Oct. 24, 1946, the son of John and Dorothy (Foster) Kern. He grew up in Auburn and graduated from Edward Little High School in 1965. He attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology before enlisting in the Army. He was stationed in Berchtesgaden, Germany, for several years and fell in love with it.

He was quick to tell his favorite stories from the Alps in the many years that followed. He eventually moved back to Maine, where he spent many years in the radio industry. In 1985, he and his wife, Pamela, started Kern Media Associates, which is still the family business.

He was always quick with a witty insight and had an uncanny ability to discuss every aspect of a topic. Dinner parties were always memorable, as they were spent with good friends. He could often be found outside, whether in his garden, snowshoeing on the lake, or hiking with his best friends. He was an avid skier who preferred the soft March days and the spring skiing season up in Tuckerman’s Ravine.

He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Pamela Spriggs Kern; his mother, Dorothy Kern of Auburn; his sisters, Allison Rosenblatt and husband, Jeffrey, of Albany Township, Nancy Haley and husband, Mark, of Belmont, Mass., Amy Kern, and Barbara Kern of Auburn; his daughter, Heidi (Kern) Schwartz and her husband, Eric, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; his daughter, Ashley Kern, of Boston, Mass.; his son, Riley Kern, of Gray; grandchildren, Noah, Rebecca and Eli Schwartz; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father, John Kern.