I first met Pete in 1963. It was unlikely. We both worked for a huge research facility in Emeryville. 1500 scientists and support staff, but our work spaces were about as physically far from each other as possible. One day I was assigned to run an assay that could only be run in the lab Pete worked in and we got to talking, hit it off right away, and he invited me over to his house. It was a real surprise to get that invitation, which of course I accepted, and it taught me, as a 20 year old kid, that kindness can come into your life at any time. Just be open to receiving it. What followed were many evenings discussing the odd this and that. Zen in the art of archery, Berkeley politics, the Vietnam War. He and I stayed up all night watching the '68 Democratic Primary together, which Bobby Kennedy was winning until someone stepped up and shot him, right on camera. So, Pete was an old and good, good friend to me. We lost track of each other in the 90's but when we got back together we were still talking about Buddhism, Warriors basketball, and politics. I miss him every day.
0
John and my heart goes out to Gabi and everyone else in Pete’s orbit. As everyone has expressed, Pete was a lovely, kind, generous, funny, compassionate individual. The memory I have to share is of standing on my deck one summer afternoon with Pete and John. After carefully gazing all around at the panorama of downtown and twin peaks Pete sighed and said, “You know, you just cant re-create this in a model railroad layout”. His statement captured the creativity, the awareness and the equilibrium he embodied in his life.
1
Pete was one of the kindest humans I had the pleasure of knowing. I will cherish the memories of many Thanksgiving gatherings where he always made me feel like a member of the family, and always delighted me with a showing of his amazing trains. Such a wonderful man.
1
I did not have the pleasure to know Pete for very long, just a few short years. I met Gabi on the beach one day a couple years ago, our dogs became instant friends and we did as well. Pete always had a smiling face and tolerated my crazy dog running through his house chasing Mia. You are missed Pete
1
A true railroad buddy. Very creative and always fun to be around. I will miss him immensely.
David Parks
1
Pete was a smart, funny, and genuinely interesting guy. He was a good spirit and a gentle soul. He was also a hard worker! I first met Pete when he joined us on a trail crew at McNee Ranch many years ago. My deep sympathies to Gabi and to the family. With Pete's passing, the world lost a truly good person.
3
2018, Central Park, New York, NY, USA
3
Pete's passing is a great loss to our family. We knew him as a friend, father figure, tutor, model train hobbyist and Golden State Warriors super fan. As a friend and father figure Pete was kind and always had time for an intelligent conversation. I don't think that Pete even knew that we viewed him as a father figure but we did. He was experienced and wise and he shared his knowledge with us. And when our oldest son, Jared, was having trouble with high school calculus, Pete tutored him and would not accept any payment. And not surprisingly, Jared passed calculus with flying colors due to Pete's help.
Pete constructed a model of the old Ocean Shore railroad and was extremely involved in the model railroad community. He assisted other model railroaders by creating computer programs to control the train movements on their layouts. His own railroad model was meticulously and intricately constructed to represent the Ocean Shore Railroad in its heyday and is a work of art.
We knew Pete best as an avid Golden State Warriors basketball super fan. Every year we would wait for the season to begin in early fall and during every game we would enjoy texting each other back and forth about our observations and critiques of the games. This was a ritual for many years and even during Pete's last days.
Our sincere condolences go out to Gabi and Pete's family. Our family sorely misses Pete's friendship, wisdom and wit and he will always be in our hearts.
4
1998, Halloween Party (Phatlip)
Pete channeling John Glenn
4
1988, San Francisco, CA, USA
Pete at Jeff and Sandy's wedding, Stern Grove, 1988
4
Met Pete in the 1990's because I used to work with Gabi. Had any number of good times, but perhaps playing poker with him (and other friends) and laughing ridiculously when some crazy hands were played will be my top Pete moments. Or that time he took me to Santana (because my wife couldn't go), or all the times he put up with me randomly dropping by after surfing (or looking for surf). Thanks for all the happiness and cheer you supplied, Pete, and condolences to the family.
4
Dear Gabriele, Dennis and I have such happy memories of you and Pete together, always up beat and cheerful, playful and laughing. He was an inspiration as a husband and grandfather (we remember Natalie well) in every aspect of how he lived his life. And such patience! To build HO gage train track by hand rather than purchasing the pre-made option. Most of all, I remember Pete being your heart's desire, a true reflection of the love you two shared. We pray for peace in your heart as you grieve the loss of your beloved Pete. And we hold you closely in our hearts too.
3
Oh Gabi, I am so sorry for your loss. I felt a question rising at the the Benefit in February re Peter as he was not with you. The two of you were always together. I did not know he was so ill. It has been a while but I can truly say when you love someone deeply who passes, in many ways, they will always be with you. Ava
2
I met Pete at HP in 1978, coming to work in the same organization at HP. He was a mentor, and became a close friend. Pete and I both went to Apple; in fact, I encouraged him to make the move. When Pete became the release manager, he became my manager as well, since I was testing the Lisa operating system. I recall shortly after Apple went public that Pete bought a bright red Ferrari. We were sitting at a stop light with the top down when a car full of girls started cat-calling, and asking for a ride. Both of us had BIG grins on our faces as we drove away. This was pre-Gabi, of course. I recall when Pete met Gabi. He came back to the office and it was clear he was utterly smitten. We worked together for years, and I ALWAYS admired, respected and loved Pete. I've missed him over the years (since I "deserted" and moved to Microsoft :) ), and I'll miss him more now that he's gone. He was the most gentle soul I've met, with as kind a heart as can be. There are many, many more memories I could share, but we'll leave it short. God bless him and Gabi.
2
This is a letter I wrote to Pete after Gabi called to tell us Pete was in hospice.
Dear Pete,
Gabi called and told us about your health situation. Very sorry to hear about it. Got me thinking about the past 50+years we've known each other.
Carolyn and I came to Berkeley in 1970. First met you on a bus going to Outdoor Ed Experience at the Berkeley city camp in the Sierras. You brought along a bunch of bamboo sticks for fishing. Great idea I thought. Later I learned of your VW bus with a big red heart on the front. I had the same VW microbus in Rock Island without the paint job. Another early memory I was in your kitchen on Virginia Street and Barbara mentioned Jeff had made a crystal radio in my science class but it only got a right wing talk show. Another early memory-camping at Lake Pillsbury with our families with my red canoe. Carolyn was cooking bacon and spilled grease on her arm and you came to her aid.
Later was a period we were both dreaming of country property. That was the commune era. I read a lot about Ken Kesey. Never went in that direction except for our blended families. Later we bought the ranch with the Harrisons (Terry and Delea) and formed our commune, which had a predictable shelf life of 2 years.
Skipping to the Gabi era. I remember her amazing me with her piano playing. Didn't even mind her noting that we should get the piano tuned. Other memories of the time was going out to Lake Sonoma sailing on our Catalina (still have it), hearing Sandy's group Pastiche sing at a winery in Healdsburg and most recently hearing Natalie perform the last 2 years at the Healdsburg Jazz Festival. Her trombone/guitar CD duos are our favorite candle lit dinner accompaniments. Still more-enjoying your model train computer controlled layout. I've been dragged into the computer age kicking and screaming. Except for the Tesla stock I bought and used to buy a Chevy Volt like Gabi did. Turning in for the night now involves charging the tablet, smart phone, hearing aids, Tesla and mini arc welder candle lighter.
We're thinking of the good life you've lived, the great times we've shared and feeling so grateful for knowing you.
Peace,
Jack and Phyllis
5
Pete was a very kind and gentle, natured person. One of my most fondest memories of Pete was how he would stand behind home plate at Andrew‘s baseball games, and always whisper words of encouragement to him as he was hitting. Andrew spent many hours with Pete, helping him with his train, as well as hearing Pete’s advice on which books to read, and how they would help him to develop. There was always a sense of admiration for Pete, you will always bring a smile to our faces and we will never forget your kindness and loving nature… we will miss you.
Cindy & Andrew
3
2017, San Francisco Symphony, SF, CA, USA
2
Share with others
Donate in memory
