My deepest condolences.  I was blessed to know Peter.  He was in my horticulture classes and was beloved as president of the graduating class.  We shared many lab periods working together as project partners.  I’m glad he was there.  His presence was always so encouraging.  Praying for God’s peace in this time of mourning and am grateful to have had each moment with Peter to remember and cherish all the days of my life.

Peter was a dear friend throughout our Horticulture program at SCC. He was a caring, sweetest, and funniest person. Always showing up with a big smile and eager to learn something new each day.  One thing that I will never forget about Peter is he had a gift for lifting others up and reminding us to believe in ourselves. He would always tell me to Dream Big!!. Peter taught me to chase after goals with determination and never give up.  His words left an impact on my life. You will be missed. 

My sincere prayers for Peter's family. He was a man of many talents, including singing in my choir at CHS. He will be missed by many.

My name is Christopher, and while I didn't really know him, Peter was my mom Rosanna's cousin, and she will miss him dearly. According to her, he was a wonderful man, and we wish him all the best in the next life.

An amazing guy, always smiling and ready to enjoy the day.  We will miss him dearly and he’ll always be in our thoughts!

Peter, was a force of nature that only comes around every so often. He had that special ability to make anyone feel a part of a team.  He often times would take the support role while working on projects, to allow others to take the lead, even though I could see the born leader within him. Peter was my student at SCC, and am glad to say also my friend.  We discussed our love for the Western U.S., our daughters (both proud dads), soil, fungi, water conservation and possibly wiskey/bourbon on occasion. When Peter graduated, I went to shake his hand and before I knew it he had me in a big man hug.  My takeaway, is that when a hug is offered take it, I'm glad I did. Godspeed brother. You will be missed and remembered fondly.

Peter had a passion and a warmth for everything and everyone he cared for. From the first moment I met Peter and Melissa I felt at ease with them. Peter had a bright smile and warm heart. His passion was so very obvious in his new adventure, horticulture, that once we got him started on that topic, it was a wrap. He would meticulously explain, give reasons and options for how to best manage whatever you wanted to grow or not to grow. I loved how much you loved you, your life, your wife, your family and your friends. Your smile/laugh will always bring a smile to my face. Thanks for having us in your orbit, Peter!!!

I cant believe the coolest cousin I have is gone. The memories I have of visiting Tucson with you there are the best. I still remember you rocking earrings like a boss! 

Your wedding reception was so beautiful. You and Melissa finding each other gave me hope for finding The One (which I did too!). You always managed to inspire me with your words of wisdom about education, travel, and food. I realize now that having you to look up to inspired me to leave home, move away, enjoy life, and allow love to find me too. 

Thank you for the long chats about college, the funny car decals, the nonstop laughs, and the inspiration to just relax and let life do its thing. I take those facets of wisdom into my grief for you as they give me comfort to be in a world without you. I love ya man! 

You were the one in the family that loved adventure and travel! I could never keep up with what was Pete doing now when people asked. We would just answer, “who knows with him!” I also remember wondering if you would ever find that girl to move around with and take those adventures…and you sure did with Melissa and the girls. You were one happy guy! I’m glad you lived your life to the fullest and never thought twice about changing a job or another move. Most people wait too long to experience life the way you did. Thank you for being a guardian angel for our kids, and buying the classical music to play in their infant rooms, since you knew that would help create their minds (it sure did). Thanks for being the big brother we always called when we needed advice on family matters, but know now you taught Sam a lot about not stressing over everything. Sam can’t fill your shoes, but we will try. We love you and you will be so missed! 

I recall seeing Peter (not knowing who he was) in the big student parking lot. He was dressed sharply and I was pruning trees and sweating profusely not looking like a department chair for sure. I remember thinking he doesn’t look like he is coming for horticulture but I would love to meet him if he was. Oh how blessed I am that I got to love and appreciate Peter before I retired this summer. At our final cookout I told him Thank You, I am Praying for him and I was Proud of him.! He definitely left a legacy wherever he was. Forever loved!  Jason Bagwell SCC Horticulture 

I love you Primo.  I miss you. You are good person and may I see once again en la Gloria.  Love cousin Joey

I met Peter on the phone over 30 years ago. We shared a profession. And there the connection began. We agreed that we would meet for breakfast the next time I was in Washington. I had no idea what Peter looked like but he had told me he was Latino. I waited for him in the lobby of my hotel and asked every man that came through that revolving door if he was Peter. I looked around and through that revolving door came this very very tall, incredibly handsome man in a black suit with long brushed backed black hair. Silly me. Of course, I thought, that is Peter. Breakfast lasted hours with talk of books, art, music, movies, champagne and France. Time spent with Peter was time so well spent and committed to memory.  And for 30 years, I was blessed to know him and to love him for everything he was - brilliant, romantic in the most classic and platonic way, a man a woman could fall in love with in a second. Being married, I was never that woman and yet I traveled to California, to his beloved Tucson, with Peter driving the Sebring convertibles I always rented, a back seat full of bottles of pink champagne and grappa. Taking drives with Peter was illuminating. He really loved to drive. I was so lucky to have met the wonderful Mendivil family who welcomed me and always made me feel a part of their lives. I was older than Peter, not old enough to be his mother yet not young enough for the woman he dreamed of meeting, the father he yearned to become. He had wanderlust, that man. He will forever be the only Renaissance Man I will ever know, the closest friend I will ever have. Not the kind of friend I wanted to share. But there I was, with my husband, in Barcelona giving the groom away in an old beautiful Catholic Church wearing tuxedo pants, a batwing collared shirt, a satin bow tie and silk suspenders. Think My Best Friend’s Wedding and the toast Julia Roberts made at her best friend’s wedding. My best friend is marrying the best woman. Melissa, Becca and Catie gave Peter the dream life he had wanted so badly. The loss everyone who knew him feels at this unexpected and painful time is balanced, if only a little by the joy, goodness, and the gift he was to all of us. I gave the groom away and that was the most special thing I could give him. 30 years of friendship and the best gift I could give him - to see the dream of his new life with Melissa begin in Barcelona, the place they both wanted to be. I am profoundly sad at this loss of my most dear friend and honor him for all of the things we shared after meeting for breakfast in 1993. A toast to you, my dear friend, with a shot or two of top shelf bourbon.

I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Peter.  Sending prayers to Melissa and the family during this difficult time.  

I miss you my primo! I will always remember our monthly family visits as children, good times indeed! I know you are in God's care now, table you are at the great family gathering with all our departed family.  Sending prayers! 

I don't know if I can ever write words to truly describe how much of a wonderful man Peter was.  He was so strong, tall and masculine but had a beautiful softer side to him that made one feel truly connected and loved.  He was always so interested in what you had to say and always had a smile and story to share!  His love for his beautiful family was always evident and I would always see him reaching for Melissa's hand when they were together.  You could tell that they were genuinely the very best of friends as well as married to each other.  The gentleness he expressed for those he loved was TRULY precious.  He is so sorely missed but I am so grateful that I got an opportunity to call him my friend!  I know that he is in Heaven witnessing the most beautiful gardens with colors and scents that we cannot even imagine and that thought makes my heart full....