I got word tonight that an old friend died on Saturday, June 25 in Oregon. He’d moved there earlier this year with his wife of nearly 45 years. I’m stunned. It was cancer, but neither Peter nor his wife ever mentioned it or complained about it.

Peter was the guy who in 1980 showed me how to write computer code for the IBM S/34 minicomputer I was responsible for in my new job as Data Processing Manager for the Honolulu Club. He was a third-party consultant whose office was right down the street and whose apartment was right up the street. He never grumbled if I called him at home to ask how I got Phred (the computer was named Phred) to spit out what I needed it to do. He’d finish up jobs with other clients quickly if I needed help, and he’d bear with me when I couldn’t get my damned bosses to pay him what we owed him on time.

I watched one game of the 1980 College World Series in his office late one afternoon. It was the only time his alma mater, the U of Hawai’i, ever got into that tournament, and they lost in the final game.

In 1991 Peter began a tradition which held up almost without a break until he left town this year; he’d hold a Super Bowl watch party for a dozen or so of his and his wife’s friends and co-workers. It was always a pretty lively and vocal gathering.

I owe Peter a lot of gratitude for all the help he gave me over the years.

Rest in Peace, Peter, and all my condolences to your wonderful wife and daughter.