Like my predecessors, I would also like to talk about my memories of the times I worked with Peter. He was the first architect who started the mission for the designs of construction projects, within MSAADA Madagascar, on behalf of the Malagasy Lutheran Church. He was alone when he started his job, it was in 1984. He was a hard worker, who leaves no small detail lightly in everything he does. I was (Jacquelin) the first Malagasy employee who worked with him at the time. We bonded with a deep friendship, to the point that he invited me and my wife, Perline (died in January 2019), to be the godparents of his daughter, Marija, for her baptism. Hereby, I would like to send my condolences to Mary, Marija and Tina. It is true that we will not be able to meet again here on earth, but with faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, we can cultivate the hope that one day by leaving this earth, the reunion for all those who have believed in the Lord. , will be possible and that the joy of all that are saved will be from everlasting to everlasting. Amen.

Joe: Hey PO

Peter: Hello Joseph. What's up, Moe? 

Joe: Well, we sent the first book to the publisher today, so I'm pretty psyched.

Peter: You. Are. The. Man, Joseph, that is so great!

Joe: Yeah, feeling pretty good about it. Of course you never know what the peer reviewers are going to say.

Peter: Reviewers, reschmiewers. The publisher knows you have something great or he wouldn’t have signed the contract. 

Joe: True, but the nightmare is they say it needs to take a totally new direction. 

Peter: Bah! Tweaks, maybe. You do tweaks in your sleep. It’s just so cool that you’ve put the whole thing together—

Joe: Me and Jason--can’t do a book about collaborative writing without a collaborator. 

Peter: Exactly--and he thinks it’s awesome or he wouldn’t want to work on it with you. 

Joe: Yeah--he said they’d come back with tweaks, too. 

Peter: Bien sur! So how was your birthday?

Joe: The birthday itself was great--we were all together at a food court in the North Loop. I got to see pix from Katie’s trip to China--but oh, wait--we were all together at First Avenue on Friday--Patrick had a gig! It was a funk band and they needed a drummer at almost the last minute--he had like three days to learn the set--and he nailed it. And Terry and Jeannie and Bryan and Kim and Kali and a friend of hers were there too! It was fantastic. 

Peter: Oh, that’s so nice. 

Joe: And Bryan said--this was so sweet--Bryan said how great it was to see you at Katie’s wedding--but then, now--well, you know--and for a second that kind of changed the vibe, but then he said he was so sorry he brought you up and I said, “Hell--no--I love to talk about Peter--it’s fine. It sucks, of course. But I’m always happy to talk about Peter.” It’s not like on TV when someone brings up somebody dying and everyone gets all somber and shit. It was great to talk about you while Patrick was up on stage and his bass drum was pumping through my chest. 

Peter: Patrick, the Norwegian composer! 

Joe: Yeah, with his ball cap on backwards. I guess I better go. A lot of people have been saying I should walk a lot and get to some natural settings--you know, for peace--so I’ve been walking down by the river, under the Hennepin Avenue bridge. The water is dark and the current is slow. It’s good to talk to you down there. 

Peter: Peaceful, like I would walk in the woods with the dogs. 

Joe: I know--such a beautiful spot. I'll talk to you soon. 

Peter: It’s always so good to talk to you, Joseph. I love you so much. 

Joe: I love you, too, Peter. 

Peter: ‘Bye.

While I have many episodes and situations I recall about Peter over the past 40 years, I share two special memories that embody for me Peter's spirit and persona. Back in the 90s, while visiting the Bakken parents in Fallbrook, California, Mary, Peter, Mark and I took a day trip to Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.  We ate fish tacos from a street stall and watched a sailboat regatta in the bay. The waterfront was packed with revelers and merry-makers, and we strolled along enjoying the scene. I was in awe of Peter's command of Spanish; not only did he speak fluent and colloquial Spanish, but his body language and gestures complemented his speech, that's how relaxed he was in the setting - at ease in his own skin.

25 years later, I remember Peter, Mary's cousin Joanie, my friend Julie and myself enjoying a late lunch in a sidewalk café in a Marrakech, Morocco square in 2017. We'd been shopping the souks and stands in the Medina all morning, finding a present for Mary and soaking up the atmosphere. This time it was fluent French Peter was speaking to our waiter and the shopkeepers. And who, I wonder, could possibly be a better travel companion than Peter? He kept us laughing and exploring. Travel on, Peter, and we'll see you on down the road.

We are still in shock over losing our dear friend Peter. As many have already written, he was intelligent, funny, and caring. His energy was boundless, as was his love for his family. He was also extraordinarily generous and optimistic. Although we have many wonderful memories of time spent together, especially at the farm and under an ice-cold waterfall in North Carolina, we particularly cherish the many hours we spent with Peter in designing our Blacksburg home. He would listen patiently to our ideas, then pull out his tracing paper and sketch exactly what we envisioned. Peter’s passion for what we created together continued long after construction was finished. Every time he visited he’d drift through the entire house, experiencing the space all over again and marveling at it. We will miss Peter terribly, but are so grateful for the good times and adventures we shared with him.

Van and I met Peter in 1984 in Madagascar when we adopted each other!  Then we adopted Mary! Marija, Tiana came along and we all met up again in Virginia and North Carolina.  Peter designed our home in Blowing Rock, which became the center of our family and friends' gathering place for 18 years.  Peter's joy, kindness, friendship, deep Faith, have enriched our lives more than I can begin to say.  Our trips to Ocracoke with Mary, Tiana, Pepper, were the highlight of the year.  I am so grateful for the time we have had together, and it is hard to think about facing life without his physical presence.  May God be with all of us as we try.  God bless you, dear friend and brother.   Margaret 

The tributes here show much Peter loved and cared for others and had such zest for all things life--he is our heart and soul.
One day in 1992 the new neighbors moved into the upstairs apartment. Early (like 6 am early) the next morning there was a frantic pounding on the door. As I sleepily opened it this whirlwind on a mission dashed past explaining, “Hi I’m your new neighbor I have to borrow your bathroom our toilet’s clogged!!”. After that introduction there was no need for formalities and I was lucky to have a friend, neighbor, conscience, and brother for the next quarter century.
Sometimes Peter’s enthusiasm got him in a pickle, like when he was proudly showing off his new trimmer mower: “Watch this, it even cuts this sapling tree!”, which happened to be the prize rose of sharon that Mary had just planted. Or when he turned on the quite noisy new whole house fan: “Look how fast this cools the house!” only to have Mary come around the corner in disbelief that we had woken her from a deep nap with such racket!
When I most needed a pal, Peter showed up with beer, cookies, compassion, and humor-a perfect combination!
Dear friend Peter, we CAN see you from all our houses!

I just learned of Peter's passing last night and I'm so very saddened.  He became such a special friend while we worked together on multiple projects at Hollins U.  I was able to help him establish his independent practice after recognizing his special talents - and there were many.  Peter brought light and enlightenment to every encounter.  His special humor was often the highlight of any day when we spent time together.  I had occasion to visit "the farm" and meet Mary and the kids (long time ago).  Peter had endless stories about his wife, kids and family; he was so proud of them all.

After we became acquainted, I said to him: "You are too young to have had all those experiences."  I was truly impressed - then and up to now.  One of my favorite personal stories was about how he learned Spanish while working illegally in Paris with Colombians - managing bike rentals, I think.

A mutual friend just wrote of Peter: "I consider myself very fortunate to have worked closely with Peter during the last few years. His humor always made me laugh. What a brilliant man and a fine architect! I miss him."

I miss him too, very much!  Love and prayers for Mary and for all his close and extended family.

Peter was an amazing brother-in-law and Uncle to his nephew Mateo. Peter, Mary and cousin Tiana opened their home the past few summers for Mateo to attend camp. He loved this time with his Virginia family, spending time on the farm and this summer at the new city digs.
We have had so many wonderful family memories during holidays, reunions and more recently to celebrate Marija’s and Erik’s wedding in Marrakech. A trip of a lifetime of course made better by our guide and translator Peter.
Mary and Peter together were quite a team raising their beautiful daughters. Together with Marija and Tiana the farm was such a special place for us to visit. I feel so fortunate to have also spent time with Andrew and Dina and their families.  My heart goes out to all of Peter’s friends and family.  Peter was hilarious, kind, smart, witty and talented. Sending love to all who is feeling the loss of my amazing brother- in-law. 

"Even though we never built the beautiful home addition that Peter designed (my daughter also loves those plans and looks at them often),  I did get a study bar that Peter designed at his new job and it is right outside of the gallery where I work all week.   It is a comfortable gathering place and the students fill it all day long, talking, eating, studying."

Peter was a very important part of my family; he was the godfather of my children Hunter and Garland, and he was a very important part of the dance community. Peter and I worked very closely to design the first Center of Dance and I am told that he was very instrumental in the Extreme Makeover of The Center of Dance, as well.. Peter and his family are much loved and much cared for by the community, by my family. He is truly missed.. 

He was my little brother Petsie.  I loved him from the day he showed up.  What will I do without him?

“This loss is devastating. Peter was a jovial, kind and unapologetically goofy person who dedicated much of his life to helping others. He and his amazing family, Marija, Tiana and Mary have been my dear friends since I was in 6th grade.”

"Peter greatly influenced me throughout my life. His travels throughout Africa to work and live inspired me to not think twice about exploring parts of the world less traveled. He showed me my first Bruce Lee movie. He gifted me my first subscription to the Economist, which helped foster my interest in international politics. Most importantly though, Peter had the goofiest sense of humor that he passed on to his daughter Marija, the only other lawyer in the family besides me. Marija and I just happened to attend law school at the same time, where we would constantly threaten suit against one another over the most frivolous matters. Peter would just love it if one of these days Marija and I followed through on our frivolous threats and made fools of ourselves in the courtroom."

"I will never know how to express my gratitude for having had Peter in my life. Growing up in a rural neighborhood your community makes you who you are and I would not be who I am today without Peter, his wife Mary and daughters Marija and Tiana. I was lucky enough to be raised by a neighborhood community that valued love, hard work, patience and humor. Peter was the most wonderful example of what it means to be a good neighbor, man, father, husband, friend and total goof. Our hearts are broken and we will miss your laughter and smile always but we keep all of what you taught us forever. You brought so much love and joy to this world Peter."