Peter Jurney:
CLASS OF 1958
Montebello High SchoolClass of 1958
Montebello, CA
Peter's Story
At Montebello, I was in the Math Club and took all the science classes--a nerd in horned-rim glasses. Still have my slide rule. But I enjoyed Mr. Rabkin's English class the most, and have gravitated towards liberal arts in my career. In the picture above, you see Bob Kelly, Rich Kirchner, Jackie Slater and me, at our mini-reunion this summer. I'm happy that we are all still in touch.
"Career" is probably not the right word to use. Here's my story: Attended Stanford, graduating with a degree in History in 1962. Married Patti Kreutzer, '59, and had a blissful time until she passed away from breast cancer in 2004. We raised three kids: two talented sons, who also went to Stanford, and an adopted daughter, who didn't go to college and has had some challenges in her life. Patti was an elementary school teacher, and we lived in Lake Oswego, Oregon for 38 years after a couple of years in Newport Beach, where I taught history at Corona Del Mar HS.
In 1966, we moved to Oregon when I took a job as admissions and financial aid officer at Reed College. That was a very interesting time in our lives. For a couple of years I moderated a local TV discussion program for Oregon Public Broadcasting.
From 1970 through 77, I was Executive Director of AHA International--a non-profit that administers overseas study programs for public and private universities in the Pacific Northwest. I had had the good fortune to study for six months in Florence, Italy while in college, and the travel bug has been with me ever since. While at AHA, I had to go to Europe every year to negotiate classroom space for the programs. This was a great job that I loved!
Not being able to stand prosperity, I changed jobs by buying a travel agency, which I owned for 7 years. It had its moments--lots of travel--but after a while I got restless and decided to sell the agency to my partners.
I was fortunate enough to get a job as Peace Corps Country Director in Western Samoa and the Cook Islands--isn't that a mouthful--so for 2 1/2 years the family lived in Apia, Western Samoa. I was in charge of 75 Peace Corps Volunteers, and because the US had no embassy in Samoa at that time, I got to do lots of diplomatic stuff. This was probably my best job ever, but it was just a 2 1/2 year contract, so it was time to come home in 1986. In addition, our daughter, 15, was more fluent in Samoan than in English--and almost marrying age in Samoa--so it was definitely time to come back to Oregon.
We moved back into our Lake Oswego home; Patti resumed her teaching career and I spent the next 15 years in investment management with four Portland firms. Meanwhile, I spent time serving on several non-profit boards, singing in the church choir, and emceeing some fund-raising events. I was pretty shy at Montebello, but some of my friends now would say that I never met a micr...Expand for more
ophone I didn't like.
In 1998, Patti was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, and we spent the next six years fighting this terrible disease. She retired in 2001, and we had some wonderful trips to Hawaii and Europe together during the periods she was in remission. I'm grateful for the 42 years we had together--it was a great run!
IN 2000, I left investment management and went back to the travel business--writing the brochures and doing the marketing for a tour operator. Once again, I got to go to Europe and/or Latin America every year to check out hotels and excursions--a touch job, but somebody had to do it.
Six months ago, I left the travel business for good and joined Oregon Partnership, a statewide non-profit on whose board I had sat for nine years. This organization does good work--running four 24/7 crisis lines for individuals and families that need referrals for economic help, or information about drug and alcohol treatment options. We also run the statewide suicide line, and teach drug prevention in the schools. My job is to raise the annual $2 million budget (and incidentally to take care of computer issues). Fortunately, my two sons are both IT gurus, so I get lots of free help!
When Patti passed away, we had two memorial services--one here in Oregon and one in Southern California. Several relatives and old family friends came to the latter one, including a woman I hadn't seen in about 35 years. We had known each other as kids--she was a classmate of my younger brother, and as a teenager hung out with both my brother and Patti's brother. Can you see where this is heading?
After several months of exchanging occasional emails, the two of us found that we were interested in taking our relationship to the next level. In September 2005, I married Gloria Dunkerly, Montebello Class of 1972. She had been divorced for several years, raised her girls by herself and was working for an engineering firm in Whittier. Her four daughters, my three children, our parents, grandchildren, and all of Patti's family attended the ceremony. It was a wonderful moment, and we feel blessed to have found each other.
Between us, Gloria and I have twelve grandchildren, in Tacoma, Portland, the Bay Area and Whittier. When not working, we spend time traveling between these households!
In the last three years, we've had a trip to France and Britain; a Galapagos Island cruise; a lovely ten-day honeymoon through California and Oregon; and three trips to Hawaii. Next year we'll head to Tuscany to stay at a friends' house.
I feel very fortunate to have found two incredible women to be my life partners. Although I wish I could hit a 200-yard straight drive while golfing--and that my knee would stop aching while I take the swing--I realize that I am one lucky dude. Life continues to be interesting, rewarding and enjoyable!
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