Peter A. Banta
1948 - 1971

Banta, Fiance killed in Collision in Orgeon (from: Casper Star-Tribune)

Peter A. Banta, 23, a young naval officer from Casper, and his fiance, died in a car crash Monday near La Grande, Ore.

An ensign in the US Navy, he was enroute from Chicago to Bremerton, WA after visiting his parents in Casper. He was assigned to the USS Sacramento.

A graduate of Northwestern University in Chicago, Ill, he had flown to Chicago to pick up his fiance, Susan Lettino, 21 of Coral Gables, Fl.and the two were driving back to Washington to spend the Christmas holiday. Both were killed in the crash.

Authorities said that the vehicle that Ms. Lettino was driving hit a patch of ice on US 30, slid out of control and skidded in front of a pickup camper truck.

The occupants of the other vehicle, Walter Leonard Dance, 56, Surrey, B.C. and his wife, Alie, 52, were listed in serious condition at a Baker, OR hospital.

State police said that Miss Lettino's car slid into the path of the truck and was hit broadside about 12 miles southeast of La Grande.

Born February 5, 1948 in Norman OK, he moved with his family to Casper in 1955. He graduated from NCHS in 1966 and Northwestern in 1970. He was commissioned in the US Navy in October of 1970.

Banta was a member of the First United Methodist Church, was a former Casper Trooper, and also active in the Youth Civic Symphony.

Survivors included his parents, Mr & Mrs E.S. (Bill) Banta of Casper, WY, two brothers, Lloyd and John, one sister Teresa, all of Casper. His grandparents, Mr & Mrs L.L. Banta of Coffeyville, KN, a grandmother, Mrs. Alice Hughes of Wichita Falls, TX.