Lasting Memories

Peter Harrell Black
1928-Aug. 13, 2006
Atherton, California

Peter Harrell Black died August 13 at his home in Atherton after an eight-month battle with lung cancer. He was 78.

Mr. Black was born and raised in Palo Alto, but also lived in San Francisco and Menlo Park. He attended Lowell High School in San Francisco, and in 1950 graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

In 1969, he graduated from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program. His 35-year career as a division manager for Continental Can Co. took him to Darien, Connecticut, and Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, then back to Atherton as a permanent resident.

Mr. Black was an active member of Cypress Point Club, Pacific Union Club, Thunderbird Country Club, and Menlo Country Club, where he served as president from 1985 to 1987.

In addition to golf, he was passionate about wine, say family members. He was chairman or served on wine committees at the Menlo Country Club and the Pacific Union Club for more than 35 years. He was also an adviser to the Vintage Affaire wine auction, a member of the Confrerie Des Chevaliers Du Tastevin, and a member of the U.S. Seniors Golf Association.

He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Dawn; and his children, Kathy Spieker, David Black, Liz Black and Sarah Thornton. He also leaves stepchildren Stephen Yates, Michael Yates, Karen Weiss, Jeff Yates, Russell Yates and Trish Mitchell; and 22 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth Ann Bartlett Black.

His family and friends will miss "Jamps" dearly, especially on Christmas morning, when he made the grandchildren his famous buttermilk pancakes, say family members.