Peter N. Anderson
October 19, 1953 – July 25, 2013

Captain Peter Nicholas Anderson quietly slipped his moorage for the last time on July 25th at the age of 59. Peter (Nick to his childhood friends) was a generous and loving friend, a devoted husband to Kathleen and father of Katianne. Peter lost his battle with liver cancer but he bravely endured 10 months of cancer treatments with a sense of humor and a zest for living. His “bigger-than-life” personality and warm-hearted kindness will live on in his daughter Katianne, his nieces and nephews and all those he befriended in his short 59 years on this earth.

As the oldest of four children raised by a single mother, Peter was the mentor and role model to his siblings and assumed the patriarchal role as head of the Anderson family as a teenager. He went to work at age 15 and developed the strong work ethic that defined him during his entire life. He graduated from Shorecrest High School in 1971. In his youth, Peter spent much of his time with his grandparents and extended family on Lummi Island where he developed a passion for boating, fishing, and outdoor activities. He also spent a great deal of time with his Tratch grandparents and beloved Uncle Ernie, learning the hotel business from the ground up. He was a long-time member of Queen City Yacht club and was well known on game days among the Husky boating community.

Peter worked in the hotel and restaurant industries throughout his adult life, and was remembered for his quick wit, professionalism and excellent customer service. Right out of school, he started working in restaurants, getting experience through the Washington State Chefs Association’s apprentice program. He worked in Bellingham’s “What’s your Beef” restaurant, was a sous chef at the Bellingham Holiday Inn, a baker in the Olympic Hotel, and as a sous chef at the Space Needle.

His grandfather had earlier bought the Edgewater Inn on Elliot Bay and during the 1980’s, Peter and his uncle owned the Edgewater’s management company Peter was the General Manager of the Edgewater hotel. In 1988, Peter and his uncle sold the Edgewater to their Canadian partners. Peter then became a 22-year partner in the Jones Marketing Company, a restaurant supply company. As such, his position as a manufacturer’s representative required extensive travel. Peter was always upbeat as he greeted customers and clients. His stories told around the club about his experiences,

especially those in Alaska, were often hilarious – it was a common occurrence to see Peter’s tablemates doubled over in laughter at Friday Lunch or a social.

Peter and Kathleen met twenty three years ago and had a wonderful and fun marriage. Peter’s mom and Kathleen’s godmother were long-time friends and decided that one of the Anderson boys should marry Kathleen – at the time, neither Peter nor Kathleen was convinced. After much maneuvering, son Peter was set up for a lunch date with Kathleen. Not wanting to go into this thing without checking her out, Peter went down to Nordstrom’s and bought a tie from Kathleen. Later that day, they met at a nearby restaurant and that, of course, was the beginning of something great. For the first few dates, all at lunch time, Kathleen refused to meet Peter outside Nordstrom’s because she thought he was badly dressed and didn’t want her colleagues at Nordstrom to see him! She quickly fixed that! Three months later, they had their first evening date. They were married twenty-three years ago and both agreed they would never have children — right — Katianne is now 17 and very much adored by her parents.

Over the years, Kathleen’s family has been neighbors, friends and business associates with many of Seattle’s leading families. With Peter and his uncle owning the Edgewater Inn, and having all of those hospitality industry contacts, it seemed like Peter and Kathleen knew everyone in town! Peter was always so proud of Kathleen and her accomplishments and had great stories about her. Peter and Kathleen have lived in Ballard since they were married, a lovely home only eight blocks from where Kathleen grew up. He was an avid boater and stalwart Husky fan, well known on game days among the Husky boating community, and seemed to know everybody surrounding Husky football.

Peter and Kathleen had been invited to join Seattle Yacht Club but when Peter decided it was time to join a club, he opted to join QCYC in 1994. Kathleen’s uncle, our Gary Stone, pointed out that Peter should join the yacht club where he would be cruising with members – especially him and Aunt Barbara! Peter became one of the club’s most liked and loved personalities. He was an extraordinarily active member and was chairman of holiday weekend cruises to our Winslow outstation including 4th of July and Memorial Day weekends. If not the weekend chair, he would often put on one of the dinners. Peter served a five year term on the Planning and Finance Committee and was Chairman in 2012. When we remodeled the clubhouse, Peter generously donated all of the plates, dishes, glassware, cups and silverware that we still use today. He and Kathleen attended socials and weekends whenever they could and brought Katianne right along to join in.

While a member of the club, Peter and Kathleen owned two boats: a 28’ Bayliner named P.A.K.S.A. and his favorite boat of all time, Black Hook, a 37’ Tollycraft. For many years, Peter and Kathleen moored Black Hook at the same slip near the end

of the main guest dock at Roche Harbor. When Peter had to return to Seattle or travel for business, Kathleen and Katianne would stay at Roche on the boat. The family became very good friends with Kevin Carlton, Roche Harbor’s harbormaster, and knew all of Kevin’s staff.

Peter was one of those special kinds of people, humorous, fun, smart, extremely generous to his friends and the club, friendly, and welcoming. He loved to tell stories, have a good time at parties and meet new friends. Peter and Kathleen’s boating buddies and cruising partners were many and included the Mark Vanderwalls, the Scott, Pat and Paul Grimms, the Chris and Nick Castrows, the Chas Werners, the Gary Stevens, the Doug Henricksons, the Dave Krows, the Randy Whites and the Jeff Maderas. The Andersons were very close to Uncle Gary and Aunt Barbara Stone, Katianne’s godparents. Gary was a wonderful mentor to Peter. This group held a special 8-Bell scattering off Open Bay, Henry Island, in Peter’s memory.

Peter leaves behind Kathleen, his wife of 19 years, and 17 year old Katianne. Katianne was the light of his life and just before he died, he took Katianne to Hawaii so they could spend a special quality time together. Katianne wrote the eulogy used at Peter’s memorial service at St. John’s Evangelist Church (and much of the above). She concluded with: “Thank you for all the love and support my mom and I have gotten. My dad and my mom’s husband will be greatly missed by everyone.” He certainly will be.