Peter Davis Danforth

Peter Davis Danforth of New London, New Hampshire and Tucson, Arizona, died under hospice care in Alamo, California on June 29, 2011, of pulmonary fibrosis. Peter was born on November 22, 1933, in Bronxville, New York, to parents Ethel and Joshua Davis Danforth. Peter and his brother, the late John "Skip" Danforth, were raised in Rye, New York.

A proud graduate of Exeter Academy (1951) and Princeton University's class of 1955, Peter had served as Class President at Princeton as well as President of Princeton's oldest a cappella group, the Tigertones. He remained active in Princeton's Alumni Council throughout his life, receiving the Class of 1955 Distinguished Service Award.

Following college, Peter earned his MBA from the University of Texas. He served in the US Air Force, which fostered a lifelong interest in aviation. He delighted in making cross-country flights between New London and Tucson in his Cessna, and loved to take friends and family up into the skies with him. He so enjoyed sharing his love of flying that he served as a volunteer pilot for the Wright Flight Foundation in Tucson, which serves to motivate children by exposing them to the discipline and joys of flying.

Peter was deeply loyal and generous to any and all schools he or his children attended. He served on the Colby-Sawyer Board of Trustees for many years, including as Chair during the College's transition to co-education. In recognition of Peter's service and philanthropy on behalf of the College, in 2001 Colby-Sawyer named its new dormitory Danforth Hall. Both of his daughters, Kimberly and Laura, and his granddaughter, Kristin Danforth Surowiec, are alumnae of Colby-Sawyer.

Peter spent 35 years of his career in venture capital, working at Payson & Trask, Gunwyn Ventures, and, for many years, Fidelity Investments. He left Fidelity to start his own venture company, Kearsarge Ventures, before retiring. He was a director of the New London Trust Company and a consultant to the New Hampshire Charitable Fund. Retirement allowed Peter to pursue golf, one of his greatest passions and pastimes. The list of golf clubs he frequented is extensive, but he had a special fondness for the Tucson Country Club as well as for the Baker Hill Golf Club in Newbury, New Hampshire, where he was a founding member.

Even a brief biography of Peter Danforth's life would be incomplete without mention of his devotion to Bill W, where he found a circle of friendship and fellowship beginning on May 19, 1973. Peter served as sponsor to many Friends of Bill through the years, and was unfailingly supportive, wise, and clear-minded in his counsel.

Peter is survived by his wife, Sheridan Danforth, of New London, New Hampshire, and his four children: David Danforth of Milton, Vermont; Mark Danforth of Moraga, California, Kimberly Danforth of Larkspur, California, and Laura Danforth of Farmington, Connecticut. He also leaves seven grandchildren and one great-grandson, who was held in his great-grandfather's loving arms not long ago.

There will be a service in Peter's memory at the New London Baptist Church on Wednesday, July 6, at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family invites friends who wish to honor Peter to support the Wright Flight Foundation (www.wrightflight.org) or The Pu