Christina Koral's Remembrance of her dad Peter (Shared at the Memorial)

When you’re a kid, you think that your parents seem larger than life. As a small girl, it felt like there were no similarities between the doll-obsessed, girly girl I was and the booming, sports obsessed character my dad was. And of course you get caught up on the ridiculous moments, like when we he yelled at me while we were playing Apples to Apples at 10 year old and I didn’t choose his card of French Wine to describe the adjective “exquisite.” Don’t worry dad, I would’ve chosen it now.

But It’s funny to look back and realize just how much in common I have with my dad. While still a girly girl in many ways, I now too am sports obsessed, spending many weekends at some sort of sports event, and even find myself listening KNBR, which was quite literally one of the most common background sounds of my childhood. I learned never to miss an opportunity to watch Lord of the Rings when it was on cable, which even though we’ve now cut the cable chord, I find myself watching yearly and yearning to visit the beautiful backdrop of New Zealand just like my Dad always wanted to. It’s a weekly event when Colby and I rush to the couch to watch Survivor to critique how we would be better at that challenge or someone made a dumb play, reminding me of all the times our family would do just the same. And let’s not forget that although, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is arguably one of the most bonkers musicals out there, that I know every word of it because of the times my Dad and I would watch and sing along together. Granted he could hit quite a lower octave than I could.

And while these aren’t always the moments that stand out as life changing or amazing, they are the moments that I will remember and cherish. I wish I could’ve realized a lot sooner , just how much of an impact my dad had on me, or how much we truly had in common. My dad wasn’t perfect, but he was always there to drive me to and from my many activities, he always had a smile on his face and was in a good mood, and most importantly, he always loved me. Thank you Dad for doing what you could for me and I hope you are freer in heaven. 

Bea Baechle's Remembrance of her former husband Peter 

(Shared at the Memorial)

Peter and I were married for 21 years and lived together for more than a third of my life. When we first met through Rev. Tana, it felt like I had known him forever, and his warmth and chipper personality were a welcome addition to my life.

We became a very social couple and had so much fun together, hosting parties, hiking, traveling, dancing, walking on the beach, attending many live concerts and theater. The world was our oyster, and he was my best friend.

He was so handsome and looked so dapper in his tux for all the gala events we attended while I worked at the San Jose Symphony! He had a very youthful energy, and people often commented on how young he looked for his age. He joked that his parents dipped him in formaldehyde as a kid.

I knew Peter was the one because of his willingness to share a spiritual path with me. Rev. Tana introduced us to UCM, where we both joined the ministry program and became a part of a very supportive spiritual community that’s still in my life today, and many are here in attendance.

Rev. Tom Garry was our spiritual teacher, and we explored a multitude of spiritual topics to help us discover our own unique way of being of service in the world. Peter ultimately decided that the best way to share his healing touch was as a certified massage therapist.

Of course our lives shifted dramatically when the kids were born. Our time and energy now centered around taking care of them and supporting their school and extracurricular activities. We were so proud of the kids and agreed that they were the best outcome of our marriage.

After Peter moved to Florida in 2010, we kept in touch regularly, with Peter speaking less and Al filling in more on those calls over the years, until Peter moved into Assisted Living in 2019. The last words he spoke to me, with a nurse holding the phone to his ear, was “I love you.”

I am so grateful for the good times we shared and understand now that the challenges we faced were an opportunity to learn compassion, resilience, and forgiveness. Thank you Peter! I love you.

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

(Recited by Matthew Koral at Peter's Celebration of Life)

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow;

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain;

I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

Do not stand at my grave and mourn.

I am the dew-flecked grass at dawn.

Where tranquil oceans meet the land

I am the footprints in the sand

To guide you through the weary day.

I am still here; I’ll always stay.

When you wake up to morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there; I did not die.

By Mary Elizabeth Frye (1905-2004). Second Stanza by Lucie Storrs

A Poem for Peter from Dad (Al Koral, Age 97)

There wouldn’t have been our family tree

If Judy hadn’t introduced Peter to me

But Judy and I found in each other

A fondness and attraction

That permitted no other reaction.

We never considered any other choice

And we both were happy when we first heard Peter’s voice.

But when it persisted, and he couldn’t sleep at night

We brought him a pacifier, so we wouldn’t fight.

When Peter grew up and went to school

His IQ was tested, as a general rule.

When I found that it was higher than mine,

I congratulated him, but I didn’t share that it exceeded mine.

Peter was a good brother to the twins

And since we all shared, everyone wins

We had more than our share of disability

Of course Judy and I were the PARENTS

But being our child was never a liability.

Today Lynne and I sadly are saying “adieu” to her big brother and my son

Peter went on to form a family of his own.

To Bea, Matthew and Christina,

I hope you can remember your father

for all the good times you had.

I know he loved all of you, and when he squeezed my hand the day before he died,

He was saying GOODBYE to all of you.

In Sorrow at the passing of our beloved son, Peter Mark Koral

Mother, Judy, twins Lynne and Steven (deceased) and his father

Alfred (Author)