Peter Barry FLEMING

life story

Peter Barry Fleming, age 85, of Woodbury, MN, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026.

Born April 9, 1941 in Trenton, New Jersey, Peter grew up in Lawrenceville, NJ. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Updike. Together, they created a fulfilling and impactful life.

Pete earned his undergraduate degree from Union College and Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from Iowa State University before moving to Minnesota to work for 3M. Pete highly valued education and lifelong learning for himself and his family.

Pete had a 36-year career with 3M, joining the company in 1968 as a member of the Central Research Laboratories Inorganic Chemistry group. Over the course of his career he served in leadership and technical roles, including researcher with the Ceramic Materials group, Technical Director of Commercial Graphics, Director of 3M United Kingdom and Technical Director of Industrial Minerals, the position from which he retired in 2004. He held nine patents, notably a widely used fire‑resistant barrier and an optically transparent radiation‑shielding device. Pete will be remembered as a passionate scientist, innovator and leader.

Pete valued hard work and civic engagement. He served with the Woodbury Jaycees and Woodbury City Council working on the city’s early development and planning commissions.

Pete had a deep appreciation for nature and loved to be immersed in it. His life experiences and passion for nature advocacy fueled his post-retirement pursuits. As a Board Chair, Pete was instrumental in the work of the Friends of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. He continued to serve as an Honorary Board Member in his later years. Pete was deeply respected and admired for his leadership, collaborative spirit, integrity and character.

Pete was also a beloved volunteer teaching naturalist and longtime board member of Dodge Nature Center. In this role, he shared his knowledge and wonder for science and nature, while fostering curiosity and environmental stewardship in others.

Pete enjoyed family vacations in Montana and the Jersey Shore. He looked forward to his annual “guys fishing trip” of 40 years to the Quetico, and family trips to the BWCA, which he described as his favorite place on earth.

He loved his home, gardening and a cup of coffee accompanied by good conversation. He enjoyed staying active in recreation including biking, tennis, racquetball, golf, hiking and skiing. Most of all he loved spending quality time with close friends and his cherished family.

He is survived by his five children, Jeffrey Fleming (Lori), Kascinda Fleming, Dianne Fleming, Elizabeth Dunham (Tad) and Patrick Fleming (Kayla); and nine grandchildren, Matthew Fleming, Jason Fleming, Lucy Fleming, Gradey Cashin, Sid Cashin, Austin Dunham, Spencer Dunham, Boden Fleming and Callan Fleming. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years Barbara Updike Fleming and his parents Joseph Patrick and Jane Adelaide (Kafer) Fleming and his sister Patricia Lee Fleming.

memorial service

Celebration of Life visitation, service, and reception.

June 26, 2026

Woodbury Lutheran Church - Valley Creek Campus 7380 Afton Rd, Woodbury, MN 55125, USA

9:30 - 11:00am visitation

11:00am service

followed by reception/luncheon

The 11:00am service will have a livestream available at:

funeral.wlc.church

(this link may have other content until around 10:50am)