The past few days I’ve been trying to find the words to put this out there, but I’ve come to terms with the fact that I will never find the right words so I will keep this short.
At 2:23am Friday morning I received the most devastating call of my life, learning that my student, alumni, fellow mentor, best friend and someone I called brother had passed away just a few hours earlier from an injury sustained while snowboarding. Pete was the most genuine, kind soul I’ve ever met, with enough of an outgoing personality for our whole team of shy introverts. I’ll do my best to keep your spirit ingrained in our team culture for years to come.
Pete had a special energy. I had the pleasure of working with him many times over the years and you can’t find a more upbeat, genuine, and eager to help person. Whether we were on the same alliance or facing off against each other that friendliness and willingness to help was no different.
I can think of many specific instances he made an impact on me or our team over the years during his time as both a student and mentor with 271.
To all of 271 I hope you know that his impact extended far beyond just the team and my, along with all of 1796’s hearts, go out to you and his family during this unimaginable time. I hope his family knows the countless positive impressions he left on the world in his short time here.
His spirit and energy will always persist in his physical absence. I’m incredibly sorry to you, 271, and his family for your loss. Pete will be missed.
He’s working on my favorite plane, the A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka Warthog)
I worked on them for 16 years in the Air Force Reserves at Grissom A.F.B.
Rest in peace fellow Airman.
I didn’t know Pete well at all, but from my time visiting 271s shop, he was always up-beat and willing to help the random kid from a different team who was trying to learn to operate a mill/large.
It was incredibly heartwarming to see hundreds of people at Peter’s wake on Sunday. A testament to how great of a person he was. I’ve seen Peter at events since 2014, any time we were at the same event we would make sure to find each other.
My first introduction to Peter was when he helped our team out with some drive train problems we were having, a small act that had great impact to our team and I. Seeing each other at events as mentors who stuck with the program was great to see as well.
I had the pleasure of running into him this past summer, and talking about the futures of our respective teams, it breaks my heart to know I won’t see his infectious smile at events in years to come.
My condolences go out to all that knew him, and had been affected by him. We’ve lost an incredible person in our community.