Pete Kulynych, a retired Managing Director of Lowe's Companies and a philanthropist who gave hundreds of millions of dollars to educational and charitable causes in a five state area through two of his personal and family foundations and through the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, passed away Saturday evening at his home in Wilkesboro. He was 93.

Pete was one of the legendary "Big Five" at Lowe's--one of the five Managing Directors who guided a small hardware store in downtown North Wilkesboro into one of the world's two largest home construction and home improvement retail companies. Pete gave generously to three institutions of higher education--Wilkes Community College, Wake Forest and ASU. He first became really interested in Appalachian when one of his fellow Managing Directors, Johnny Walker, made a series of major six and seven-figure contributions to Appalachian's business department that soon became the John A. Walker College of Business.

Pete's gifts to ASU established the Kulynych/Cline Distinguished Visiting Professorship in the Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology; provided full scholarships for student-athletes through the Yosef Club; and helped fund new and vastly improved varsity athletic facilities. For his support of Appalachian, Pete received an honorary doctor of letters degree in ceremonies at the Walker College of Business in 2010.

Appalachian dignitaries were frequent visitors in Pete's palatial home in Wilkesboro. It was commonplace for Chancellor Peacock and then Assoc. AD Rick Beasley to drop by to see Pete any time they were passing through town. Pete always made them feel welcomed. It was much the same during Pete's working career--but he was a busy, busy man and a visit required an appointment. He was as likely to be in NYC, Atlanta or in Europe as he was to be at his desk in Lowe's Corporate hdqtrs.

A lot of people and a lot of public and private institutions have lost a fine, fine friend. RIP, Pete.

"... Johnny Walker, made a series of major six and seven-figure contributions to Appalachian's business department that soon became the John A. Walker College of Business...."

Not knocking the support of Mr. Walker and family, but I'm not entirely sure about "series of six and seven-figure contributions". Could be wrong on my part, but that's more than what I thought I'd heard.

MountainMan wrote:"... Johnny Walker, made a series of major six and seven-figure contributions to Appalachian's business department that soon became the John A. Walker College of Business...."

Not knocking the support of Mr. Walker and family, but I'm not entirely sure about "series of six and seven-figure contributions". Could be wrong on my part, but that's more than what I thought I'd heard.

Just curious to know if Lowe's has done anything major in contributions to ASU in the very recent era other than in kind donations and having executives sit on committees and boards.

I thank his contributions to Appalachian State, regardless of what his company has done after he left.

RIP Pete's family as he was a mentor to those that followed.

Gnomeneer wrote:I thank his contributions to Appalachian State, regardless of what his company has done after he left.

RIP Pete's family as he was a mentor to those that followed.

I totally agree, but moving into the higher level both athletically and academically, we will need all the corporate money and connections we can get and Lowe's has been one of our important ones through the years.

NewApp wrote:

Gnomeneer wrote:I thank his contributions to Appalachian State, regardless of what his company has done after he left.

RIP Pete's family as he was a mentor to those that followed.

I totally agree, but moving into the higher level both athletically and academically, we will need all the corporate money and connections we can get and Lowe's has been one of our important ones through the years.

And this thread, posted to honor a man who has given so much to his family, his community, and to Appalachian, is where you chose to pose the question. In all your years on this earth, you've never mastered tact.

"Congratulations on your loss."

I said he's a hoot at funerals.

BeauFoster wrote:

NewApp wrote:

Gnomeneer wrote:I thank his contributions to Appalachian State, regardless of what his company has done after he left.

RIP Pete's family as he was a mentor to those that followed.

I totally agree, but moving into the higher level both athletically and academically, we will need all the corporate money and connections we can get and Lowe's has been one of our important ones through the years.

And this thread, posted to honor a man who has given so much to his family, his community, and to Appalachian, is where you chose to pose the question. In all your years on this earth, you've never mastered tact.

But you have.

Don't you feel that the tenor of the thread had already honored him. Is it necessary for every single App alum to come on here and give a eulogy? Besides, I am friends with some of the management at my local Lowe's and have mentioned more than once that one of the reasons I frequent Lowe's instead of Home Depot (whom I think has better quality and more informed staff) is Lowe's ties with ASU and even Wilkes County in spite of the headquarters being moved out to the Mooresville area.
Now carry on.

This has gone too far. I respectfully request that you guys take your gunfights to e-mail. You're setting a terrible example for forum members and leaving a bad impression on the hundreds of guests who visit the MMB every day. This thread isn't a proper place for battle. Please show some respect for Pete, his family, his friends and industry colleagues.

asu66 wrote:This has gone too far. I respectfully request that you guys take your gunfights to e-mail. You're setting a terrible example for forum members and leaving a bad impression on the hundreds of guests who visit the MMB every day. This thread isn't a proper place for battle. Please show some respect for Pete, his family, his friends and industry colleagues.

From my part, I never intended it to be a gunfight or argument. Just defending my posts which AppinVa (Richmond App) calls having to have the last word.
As to Pete and all Lowe's executives, I have the utmost respect for all of them, and hope Pete's legacy continues to bring goodwill and financial support to our beloved Alma Mater.