Peter Romberg

Peter David Romberg was hospitalized at Legacy Emanuel Hospital after suffering a heart incident while playing basketball at the Matt Dishman Community Center in Portland, Oregon on February 1st. He passed away on Feb 7th, 2026.


Peter was born March 8, 1976 in Corvallis, Oregon to Tom and Rita Romberg. After living in San Bernardino, California, Portland, Oregon, and Pendleton, Oregon he settled down in Boise, Idaho in 1986. His family by then included older brother Matthew, younger sister Anna, and younger brother Jonathan.


He attended Silver Sage Elementary, West Junior High, and graduated from Borah High School in 1994. Pete loved music and the arts deeply. He played baritone saxophone and was a proud and award winning member of the Jazz, Marching, and Concert bands in high school. He also played in bands like Q and the Horns of Doom and Natty Bumpoo and the Flaming Badgers of Doom (such incredible names, of course). He stood out in nearly all artistic mediums from a young age, and was a brilliant painter, sketch artist, and doodler everywhere he went. He was active in athletics as well, and was especially into basketball, swimming, volleyball, and skiing when younger.


After graduating from Borah High school, he attended Boise State University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. He worked his way through college at Flying Pie Pizzaria in a number of different roles. After university graduation, Peter spent years living as a working artist, both in Europe and Los Angeles. He initially moved to Europe, based in Prague. After a number of months there, Peter moved to Berlin. When he returned to the United States, he settled in Los Angeles, and was immediately welcomed into the burgeoning Downtown LA art scene. Though not a pretty place, he made it work for around a decade. He worked for the prestigious Bert Green gallery and had a series of one-man shows, was part of many group shows, and was friendly with heavy-hitters including artists and celebrities (though he was not one to drop names). He finally put down roots in Portland, Oregon, a town he always loved and where he felt he belonged.


Peter had many different skills, and worked in many different jobs over the years. He worked in the food and hospitality industry, art and security in Los Angeles, construction at the Salt Lake Winter Olympics, cooking, cheffing, security and tending bar. He was a 'jack of all trades' and a master of many, who was always looking to figure out how things work, and loved the process of learning. No matter where he went, he continued to paint, draw, and be passionate about the power of music and the visual arts.


Peter's daughter Astrid was born in Portland July 25, 2012 to him and Valerie McClintick. She was the apple of his eye and the light of his life. Peter loved Astrid deeply, and was incredibly fond of his life, time, and adventures with her.


After working 13 years at Ground Kontrol in downtown Portland, Peter was excited about a new career in public transportation, and worked at TriMet beginning in the summer of 2025. He was a loyal employee and a person who was never afraid to work hard and get his hands dirty. Peter was also a proud member of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757.


Peter's hobbies included basketball, swimming, hiking, walking Portland's many parks, pinballing, enjoying music, comics and graphic novels, caring for pets, garage sale-ing and thrift-ing, visiting the Oregon Coast, and spending as many hours as possible with Astrid. He loved her so much.


As an organ, eye, and tissue donor, Peter now lives on in many others in the Northwest who can live life and have hope because of his giving nature. He would be very proud of that fact.


Peter was a gifted artist and musician, and will continue to live on through his work.

Peter also loved people, and loved them deeply. He was a laid back guy, but a fierce friend and man who wasn't afraid to stand up for others, no matter what they thought of him.

He leaves a legacy of love, creativity, impact, and kindness. He loved his community and his people, no matter where he was living. He loved Astrid with all his being, and being a dad was the highlight of his life.


Peter David Romberg was an incredible dad, son, brother, uncle, friend and artist.

We all love you deeply and miss you very much.


Peter is survived by his daughter Astrid (13) of Portland, Oregon.

He is also survived by parents Tom and Rita Romberg, his brothers Matt Romberg (Melanie) and Jon Romberg (Jennifer) of Boise, and sister Anna Hey (Josh) of Nampa. He also was deeply loved by his nieces and nephews, Maddie, Hannah, and Noah Romberg, Elissa and Grayson Romberg, and Andrew and Allison Hey.


Peter's Celebration of Life will be held in Boise, Idaho on April 19, 2026 at the Old Timer's Shelter in Ann Morrison Park from 4:00-7:00pm.


For those wishing to support Peter's legacy, memory, and daughter, here are a some options:


GoFundMe for his daughter and estate:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-peters-daughter-thrive-after-his-passing


The Peter Romberg Art Scholarship:

In Memory of Peter Romberg

Borah High School 6001 West Cassia Street, Boise ID 83709 A Memorial Gathering will be held on April 19, 2026, from 04:00 PM to 07:00 PM at Ann Morrison Park 1130 W Royal Blvd. Old Timer's Shelter