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Peter Durkee Meldrum

1947 - 2018

Peter Durkee Meldrum obituary, 1947-2018, Salt Lake City, UT

FUNERAL HOME

Neil O'Donnell Funeral Home

372 E. 100 South

Salt Lake City, Utah

Peter Meldrum Obituary

June 26, 1947 - Dec. 20, 2018
Peter Durkee Meldrum, age 71, passed away on Thursday, December 20, 2018, one day after an unexpected accident. He was born on June 26, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the eldest son of Benjamin "Nibs" Meldrum and Grace Durkee Meldrum. Pete was truly a "Renaissance Man", whose wide-ranging interests and talents touched on just about everything.
Pete met the love of his life, Catherine Marie Roper, at the University of Utah, where they were both undergraduate students. They were married on June 16, 1970, in Salt Lake City. They had 48 wonderful years of marriage, and had one son together.
While at the University of Utah, Pete enrolled in ROTC, and served for 2 years in the Army, finishing as a First Lieutenant. During his time in the Army, Pete and Cathie lived for a time in Alabama, as well as Pittsburgh, but Utah was always their home.
Pete had a lifelong passion for learning, as evidenced by his academic and professional achievements. He received his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah in 1970, and his MBA from the University of Utah in 1974. He received an honorary Doctorate of Science from Westminster College in 2004, and an honorary Doctorate of Engineering from the University of Utah in 2009.
For most of his career, Pete worked as President & Chief Executive Officer of Myriad Genetics, a publicly-traded molecular diagnostics company. Pete was an original co-founder of Myriad, forming the company with Dr. Mark Skolnick. Pete took the company from its inception in 1992, through its initial public offering in 1995, to profitability as a company with over 2,000 employees at the time of his retirement.
Pete was always a kind and generous person. After retiring from Myriad, he served as Executive Director of The Meldrum Foundation, the family's private charitable foundation, which supports educational endeavors, artistic activities, and humanitarian programs. Pete also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Golden Pine Ventures, LLC, a seed-stage venture capital company focused on the formation and development of biotechnology and biomedical companies.
Although trained as an engineer, with a career in the sciences, Pete had a profound love of the arts, and he served on numerous local arts boards, including Pioneer Theatre Company and Ballet West. In 2011, he received the prestigious "Bravo Award" for his philanthropic efforts for the arts. Pete also served on the Boards of Westminster College Board of Trustees, the Museum of Natural History, the National Advisory Council, and Fine Arts Advisory Boards of the University of Utah.
Pete was selected by Scientific American as one of the Top 50 Scientific Visionaries in the World and was a member of the "Scientific American Thinkbank™". He was awarded the "Governor's Medal for Science and Technology" in 1998 and received the "Mountain West Venture's Entrepreneur of the Year Award" in 2001. He received the "Distinguished Chemical Engineer Award" from the University of Utah in 2007 and the "American Federation for Aging Research Award of Distinction" in 2008. Mr. Meldrum was inducted into the Utah Technology Hall of Fame in 2009.
Pete and Cathie loved traveling together, and were able to visit places as diverse as: Alaska, Russia, India, both Eastern and Western Europe, South America, and several countries on the continent of Africa, from Egypt to South Africa. Their favorite destinations to return to were: Jackson, Wyoming (where they often canoed the Snake River), Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Hawaii, and the Canadian Rockies.
Pete was an exceptional athlete. In high school and college, he ran track, competing in the mile and the 3,000 meter steeplechase. In the steeplechase, Pete held the school record at the University of Utah for over 7 years. He also enjoyed other sports, such as basketball and football, and he loved both alpine and cross-country skiing. In combining his love of travel and skiing, he had the opportunity to ski at many wonderful resorts, including Chamonix (France), Zermatt (Switzerland), St. Anton (Austria), and Courmayeur (Italy), but throughout the years, Utah's own Alta ski resort remained his favorite.
Pete was also an avid mountain climber, having climbed many of the peaks in Utah and Colorado. He climbed his most challenging mountain in 2009, at the age of 62, successfully summiting Mount Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet) with his son, Chris.
Pete loved photography, and put together a book on the native wildflowers of the Wasatch Mountains, photographing and documenting their medicinal uses by the early Native Americans. He also wrote a novel, as well as a number of books on family ancestry, the evolution of man, the intersection of science and religion, and dinosaurs. Pete was passionate about paleontology, collecting many fossils, as well as assembling and mounting two complete dinosaur skeletons and two partial skeletons for his personal collection. In addition to fossils, Pete accumulated vast collections of meteorites, coins, and stamps.
Pete is survived by his wife, Catherine; his brother, Daniel (Patty); his son Christopher (Jenette); three grandsons, Ian, Colin, and Aidan; and multiple nephews and nieces. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Nibs.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church, 1975 South 2300 East. A vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 28, 2018 at Neil O'Donnell and Sons Mortuary, 372 East 100 South, where friends may call from 6:00- 7:00 p.m. Committal, Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Meldrum Family Scholarship at the University of Utah, awarded to first-generation undergraduate college students with financial need.
The University of Utah
Development Office
332 South 1400 East, Suite 150
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0300
Phone: 801-581-6825 | Toll-free: 800-716-0377

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Dec. 23 to Dec. 26, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter Meldrum

Sponsored by Neil O'Donnell Funeral Home.

Not sure what to say?





Mike an Marian Alder

December 21, 2020

Kathy, I continue to think about Pete and revere his memory. I feel like I have lost my most important mentor. Here I am at 77 thinking like that. He was always willing to help me in business. His skill at business helped Native Plants as much as Myriad. We had the market collapse which he could not control. I will always be grateful for the day he walked into my life in the early days of NPI. I want you to know that I have firm assurance that he lives and will be with you again. All my love, Mike Alder

Federica m Gallegos

December 19, 2020

Dear Cathy,
Always, Love and Prayers. xoxox Feeks

Bill Murray

December 17, 2020

God has embraced Peter in his arms and granted him eternal rest. Bill Murray

Mike Alder

January 2, 2019

Cathie and Chris,

As you know, Pete was the rescuer of my company and my dream at a time when it was in a dark and unsuccessful place. He used his skill and good will to turn things around and to make things happen that never would have happened without him. I worked along side him to build a successful plant biotech company for 15 years. They were good years and he was a great leader. He will be greatly missed by me. We never got the book written we were going to write together. Only one small undone thing among many great things that he did. May you be comforted and blessed with peace.

Love,

Mike and Marian Alder

Andrzej Skrzypiec

December 27, 2018

I sincerely thank God for the loving and most generous life of Peter.For years I have been blessed with Peter and his wife Catherine praying with us at St. Ambrose , Sunday after Sunday. The beauty of the Roper Memorial Organ and the stunning renovation of the church building would not have happened without his generosity.May God now generously reward him with eternal bliss in heaven.Fr Andrei

Allen Seeley

December 27, 2018

Cathie,
I'm floored by Pete's passing. You and he have been such a big part of my life for so long that it's going to take some time for me to absorb this while I shed a few tears. You and Pete have been such great friends and I am a better man as a result of your friendship.
--Allen Seeley

Alicia

December 27, 2018

Sincerest condolences to the family for their loss. I got to know Pete better at a recognition luncheon at Myriad in which him and I talked about his travels to Kilimanjaro with his son. Our families thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Sincerely,

Alicia, former Myriad employee and niece to Megan, who was Pete's admin assistant prior to his employment at Myriad.

Greg Gardner

December 27, 2018

Dear Cathy and Family, When I was told of Pete' passing, a sadness came to my heart and mind instantly. A recent memory came next, when I visited with you and Pete at the dedication for the new Commons building on the University's campus. I can still picture how pleasant that brief encounter was for me. Having had many business meetings with him over the span of 25 years, I can say without hesitation, he was always fair, always level headed, always decisive, who did not want the spotlight, rather, he humbly sought what was best for Myriad in every negotiation. He was such a visionary, who had the faith and confidence to commit to one building after another throughout his tenure as President/CEO of Myriad, knowing the company would grow to fill them. In addition, his philanthropic work in the community is equally impressive. At his request, and because of my great respect for him, I joined the Ballet Board, a big stretch for this farm boy believe me. I admired his quiet demeanor, his smile, his laugh and good nature. He was an amazing man of integrity and good works, a tremendous example for me personally. May you be filled with the wonderful memories of his life and be sustained in the years ahead is my prayer. Sincerely, Greg Gardner

Stephanie and Tim Harpst

December 26, 2018

Dear Cathie and Family - We are saddened to hear of Pete's sudden passing. I served with him on the board of Ballet West where I learned of Pete's great commitment to them and other community non-profits. We'll all remember him as such a kind and generous man. Celebrate his as a life very well lived.

Robert Fotheringham

December 25, 2018

I hadn't seen Pete since undergraduate days at the Sigma Chi house at the U. With Myriad Genetics and all his other successes you might expect a touch of arrogance. Not so. I approached him after all these years to donate to a charitable cause in the community, and he could not have been more generous. We just lost a great man. He will truly be missed.

Dan and June Ragan

December 24, 2018

Cathie: It is with deep sadness and heartache I read of Pete's passing. I considered Pete a good friend and Sigma Chi brother and always enjoyed his company. You and your family are in June and my thoughts and prayers as you traverse the coming days.
Love & sincerity,
Dan

Wendy Sorensen

December 24, 2018

Pete was a true leader. I always respected him and the company he built. I truly believe that his passion for changing lives it was allowed Myriad to be a success. He was not in it for the money, he wanted to make a real difference in the world. When he retired three years ago I attended his retirement party. I went up to him to congratulate him and wish him luck. I said to him, you probably don't know who I am, but I want to thank you for everything you've done for us. He told me of course he knew who I was and he appreciated all that I had done to help myriad be successful, and all the patients who we've helped. My heart breaks for his family. This world has lost a wonderful man. Rest in piece Pete.

Pat Robison

December 23, 2018

Dear Cathie,

So in shock over the passing of Pete & please know you, Chris & the entire family are in my prayers. He was such a good man & did so much good--he will be dearly missed.

My love,

Maryanne and Bill Murray

December 23, 2018

Dear Cathie, Chris and family,
Words can not express our shock and sadness to hear of Pete's accident and passing. Pete certainly had a life well lived. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

Mary Rakowski

December 23, 2018

Dear Cathie and family, We are so sorry for your unexpected loss, May God grant you peace.

Federica Gallegos

December 23, 2018

Dearest Cathy and family,

I am so sorry for your loss, I am sending you prayers and love.

Your Friend
Federica

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Memorial Events
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Dec

28

Calling hours

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Neil O'Donnell and Sons Mortuary

372 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT

Dec

28

Vigil

7:00 p.m.

Neil O'Donnell and Sons Mortuary

372 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT

Dec

29

Funeral Mass

9:00 a.m.

Saint Ambrose Catholic Church

1975 South 2300 East, UT

Funeral services provided by:

Neil O'Donnell Funeral Home

372 E. 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

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