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Frank Peacock Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Frank Peacock
Norman L Wherrett, Jr.
October 18, 2017
DEAREST SARAH, Olivia and Julia
I am Norm Wherrett, builder of Ted's Sundowner 32 "Sarah". I love Ted like my own father. Next to my bed resides 7" plush "Peter Rabbit" Ted and Sarah lovingly sent July 1990. "Peter" ultimately honors, and was very much enjoyed by, now 22-year old Benjamin and nearly 14-year old Juliana Joy instead.
We very much wish to re-establish communication with Sarah, and get to know Olivia and Julia.
Friendly readers, please help reunite loving hearts. Thank you.
GOD BLESSES US ALL,
Norm, Ann, Ben, and J.J. Wherrett
16808 NE 104th Court
Redmond, WA 98052
[email protected]
425-497-9188 [AFTER 11 AM, PACIFIC TIME, please!]
- I study nightly from 11 PM to 3 AM -
Thanks again, Norm.
Nikolas Peacock
February 25, 2009
Ted was my half-brother; he was 18 years older than me. We had the same father, but different mothers. Because Ted was so much older, I have more memories of him in his later years of life. I still have a picture of him standing outside our home in Wilmette in his Coast Guard great coat.
I remember driving with my mother and dad to Itasca for most Fourth of Julys. It was always a full day with seeing all my nieces and nephews and enjoying watching the fireworks at night over the golf course. These were fond memories of Ted's life with his children.
After Ted established Peacock Publishing, Ted would call me up occasionally at work asking to meet for lunch. Our conversations were always enjoyable. He was generally dressed in a sports jacket with suede patches looking like the typical professor type. When he could, he bicycled to work. He was an active man, and played racketball for many years. He served the community for many years as President of the school board in Itasca.
After my wife and I moved to Arizona, Ted would sometimes call saying Peacock west, this is Peacock east. We would catch up on what was happening in our lives.
I will miss Ted, for his insights, his sense of humor, and his zest for life.
March 15, 2008
Dear Sarah, Olivia, and Julia, My thoughts and prayers go out to the three of you. May you find peace in the happy memories of a man who truly loved you and will forever be in your hearts. Sue
John Freed
March 13, 2008
I remember Uncle Ted from holidays spent in Itasca. My mother, his beloved little sister Shirley Anne, would herd us into the family car as Dad drove what seemed like forever from Wilmette -- probably about an hour -- every Thanksgiving (lots of turkey and carousing) and most Fourth of Julys (Roman candles and more carousing).
I was fortunate to keep in touch with Ted over the years; I especially remember his directness and honesty. Once, he talked about the challenges of raising five children as a single father. (Shirley was but 40 when she died in 1964, leaving Walt with five children, the same situation Ted faced a few years later. I myself was a single father at the time, though with just one child.)
I last saw him in person about a decade ago. He was still full of energy, his face still lighting up with that remarkable smile and the twinkle in his eyes. Bright and mischievous.
Ted lived a full life and will be missed by the many whose lives he touched.
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Peggy Aigner
March 9, 2008
My father was a larger-than-life figure when we were growing up. He traveled a lot when we were young but when he was home, things were always lively. I remember great games of "chase" and his "monster" laugh
As I grew older, I came to appreciate how much he contributed to his community as well as to his friends and family. But some of my fondest memories are of him with his grandchildren and his great sense of playfulness. He loved life and he lived it to the fullest and spread that energy to everyone he interacted with. He had a profound influence on all our lives. We will miss him.
Dad, Grandad, and Great Grandad with his progeny
Sally Peacock
March 8, 2008
When we were little, and we saw our father arriving home from work, we would run to the back door, shouting "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" No matter how tired he might have been after a long day and a long commute, he would smile and swoop us up into his arms and make us feel loved.
I remember when Rand McNally acquired the rights to the OZ books in the l960's. I was in the third grade. It was so exciting when Dad would hand ME the next book in the series. I devoured each one. I would finish and say to Dad something like "Remember when the Scarecrow fell in love with the Patchwork Girl?" His eyes would light up and he would say "Oh, yes, that was wonderful." I think I was in my forties before I realized that not only had he not remembered these particular details, but had most likely not read the books in question at all! But the connection he created and cultivated between us by our 'sharing' of these books meant everything to me.
Dad was adept at 'winging it'. He told us, "Just say what you want with authority, and people will believe you."
What he did was not only instill in me a love of reading, but an appreciation of connecting with people.
Granddad with Grandson Tim sailing Galadriel in 1976
March 5, 2008
Ted with children from right to left-Sally,Stephen,Peggy,Tad, and Anne
March 5, 2008
Granddad holding his Great Grandson Gabe with Grandson Tim on right with daughter Peggy and Great Granddaughter Janey held by Granddaughter Hilary next to daughter Anne
March 5, 2008
Granddad with his Grandchildren in 2002 at Watervale
March 5, 2008
Tim Aigner
March 5, 2008
My Grandfather was quite special to me as he was the only Grandparent that I truly grew up with. My father’s parents passed when I was a young boy as well as Ted's wife, Jean, so growing up Ted was the one Grandparent that I had, and I latched on to him. Some of my fondest memories of my Grandfather include the time that he took me to my first major league baseball game at Wrigley field. It was against the Phillies the year after they won the World Series when Pete Rose still was with them. We had great infield seats and Granddad taught me how to keep score in the program, which I still possess.
I remember countless days swimming off the dock at Watervale trying to avoid my Granddad the “Sea Monster” or the many early mornings off the same dock taking the ritualistic “morning dip”. Then there were the hikes to Baldy, which he would always beat us to the top mysteriously. Obviously, this was to make sure the dragon was awaiting us in the dragon pit ready to be slain (this a story I continue to tell my son). One of the most dramatic stories I used to tell my adolescent friends was the time the whole family was on Granddad’s beloved 'Galadriel' sailboat sailing on Lake Michigan on a beautiful day when a bat - yes, a bat - was spotted high up on the main sail. Of course, this was not okay with Granddad so he decided to take a pole and try and knock it off the sail. As he started to poke the sleeping beast, the winged rat took offense to his being awakened at such an odd hour and the beast decided to dive bomb Granddad! This, of course, was not the response that Granddad expected and, thus, he took a dive, fully clothed, into Lake Michigan. Luckily, Uncle Tad was on board to right the ship and promptly circled around to get the OM (for “old man,” a term of endearment he encouraged) who was smiling and laughing. Another fond memory I have of my Grandfather and sailing was the time he took me on a full day sailing trip that included Uncle Tad and Aunt Sally. I loved the times we spent on his sailboat and this was a trip that I had been looking forward to for quite some time. The trip’s start was great but the lake was a bit rough that day and, needless to say, I was seasick the whole time. Thankfully, Granddad got me out from the lower decks into the fresh air and the trip was not lost.
During my teenage years I remember longing for the summer days I would spend on the porch of Cecelia playing a game of cribbage with him. Or eating smoked whitefish on saltines during cocktail hour just before the “Dinner Train” would pull away from the cottage en route to the Inn - Granddad was the engine, hooting and hollering the whole way, and the whole family following along with each person’s hands on the next person’s waist. He made us proud to be Peacocks.
The last time I saw Granddad was the summer of 2002 and my son Gabe was a month from turning one and Granddad came to Watervale one last time. It was for only an afternoon so everyone in the family wanted to share his time. This didn't deter me from getting one last game of Cribbage in with him. But more important to me was that I saw him hold his Great Grandson. There was one last family photo taken of the great Peacock clan he produced, all four generations.
I will miss his stories - they were many and always well told. I will miss his energy for it was contagious. I will miss his wisdom for it was vast and I didn't get enough of it. I will miss his gamesmanship for you always had to be on yours if you were to beat him. I will miss his laugh because it identified him. I will miss his passion. I will miss him not seeing his Great Grandson but once. I will miss all the things that I never got to share with him. I wish he could have passed on with all his loved ones and family around him but that was not meant to be. I know he loved his family and I know that he will always be watching over us. You are missed G.D. I love you.
Sharon Tenuta
March 5, 2008
As I read the Guest Book entries, I realize there was so much I never knew about Ted. I only met him at the end of his great life,and yet, even then, I could sense something so special about this man. The twinkle is his eyes when he spoke, the warmth and sincerity in his smile, the way he spoke so eloquently at times. Even in the final stages of this terrible disease, you could see him really thinking about the way he would say something. I could tell he was a very intelligent man. Those of us who cared for him could sense his gentleness. Before he died, there were many staff members who came to say their goodbyes. He has obviously made his mark on his family and friends in his life, and he has made his mark on those of us who cared for him in the end. He will be fondly remembered as a true gentleman, and sorely missed as well. It was an honor to take care of you Ted. God Bless you.
Stephen Aigner
March 4, 2008
Among the recollections of Ted Peacock, I thought I might add the perspective of a son-in-law and a professor in the academy. From the moment I entered 503's front door for my first date with Peg and shook Ted's hand, I knew this guy was not your ordinary man. Brimming with energy after a day at Rand McNally, I found Ted to be as engaging, urbane, and definitely as "old-school" as any man I had ever yet met. Ted and Jean created a welcoming family ambiance in which I felt quite comfortable and often pleasantly amused. From the very first encounter, I formed the distinct impression that this family is led by loving parents - the strong paternal and maternal influences were palpable. Each of Peg's four brothers and sisters I would meet within the next few days were confident and comfortable in their own skin.
As I fell in love with Peggy and prepared for graduate school, I would seek Ted's advice. I remember seeing Ted on his hands and knees in the garden, as I would approach with questions. Ted offered patient, well-considered, unambiguous answers that caused me to reflect on myself and the choices I needed to make. I was grateful for his insights and wisdom about higher education.
Of course, to the most important question, "May I have permission to marry Peggy?" Ted answered affirmatively but he gently probed asking me how I saw my future career unfolding. As I relaxed, Ted added an unsolicited perception about his daughter, "You'll find that Peggy is not very materialistic - she doesn't need a lot of things." Once again, Ted proved to be quite astute and insightful. Within a year, Peg and I married. The wedding guests included widely esteemed professors, a university president, and even an economic adviser to President Kennedy.
Over the years, as I worked with many of Ted's authors, I watched him entertain like royalty holding court. Professors enjoyed Ted's conversation, his stories, his intellectual acumen and his ability to stay with their every sentence. Ted grasped history, sociology, social work, psychology with an uncommon edge. He was always on his game, never the dilettante.
These are the ways I choose to remember Ted. These are his gifts I have tried to adapt and incorporate.
Anne Adams
March 4, 2008
My Dad always loomed large in my life. My first memories of him were lifting me high up in a garage loft to see our cat's kittens. He was the one there when I got my first green tricycle. I was all of 2 and 3 years old at the time.
He intoduced me to the value and eye opening experience of travel ( a memorable trip with Mom and siblings on Route 66 to California - "smoke her out!") Dad and Mom inspired stimulating dinner table discussions of politics and the importance of education. Their examples of tolerance and liberal attitudes became the fabric of my life.
When Marty and I had our first child, Hilary, Dad was there to instruct me on the use of the diaper pail! By the time our second child, Alex, was coming along he very much wanted the home birth to be at his home!
My Dad supported me through Marty's cancer and passing. He called me every single day and kept me going...Four years later he came to Minneapolis for a day to attend and celebrate my marriage to Joel Adams.
I sincerely appreciate, respect and honor all that I learned from my Dad. His family is extensive and all are a little part of him.
Anne Peacock Alt Adams
Dick Welna
March 3, 2008
I had the pleasure of working with Ted at F. E. Peacock Publishers starting in 1994. By then, he had already had a long and distinguished career in college textbook publishing, beginning with Prentice-Hall, where he served in sales and management positions, and later at Rand McNally, where he initiated and developed a highly respected college list and was named vice president. In the 1960’s, seeking a new challenge, he started his own company, which he served as president until it was sold in 2003. As a college publisher, Ted was always committed to quality—in authorship, content, and book production. He was noted in the industry as a publisher of scholarly textbooks, books which worked well in the classroom as texts but also exposed students to the most recent scholarship. Many of the books he acquired are still being published in subsequent editions. His many publishing friends and associates will miss him. Whether in the office, on campus, or at an academic conference, it seemed he was always ready with a smile, a story, a helping hand, and--very often--an invitation to an interesting and stimulating lunch.
Hilary Turner
February 28, 2008
As I started to write my memories of GrandDad I realized I was filling pages, so in an effort to be succinct here are some things that will always remind me of Granddad:
"You little whipper-snapper!" * The Club * herring and crackers on the front porch of Cecelia Cottage * Watervale * Portugal * Galadriel * the smell of his pipe * Carleton College * "I think I'll fix myself a little drinkie poo" * morning dip * orchids * Christmas mornings * jazz * handball * learning to sail a sunfish * Nutcracker Ballet * dinner train * Hilary, dilary, dock * "...and so on and so forth"
Granddad was truly fun-loving and I'm grateful that he was part of my life.
Tom Bohnhorst
February 28, 2008
I want to express my sincere condolences to Ted's children, Sally, Peggy, Ann, Steve, and Tad. Tad is one of my best friends and I have wonderful memories of sailing with Tad and Ted on Ted's beloved sailboat, Galadriel. On one voyage, I worked as the boat's "chef" and manned the helm in a gale on Lake Michigan under Ted's even hand. Ted was a true gentleman and loved family gatherings every year in northern Michigan at Watervale Resort. The folks there, I know, all remember him with great fondness. Tad and his wife, Margie, and their son, Wade, always spoke of their love and devotion to Ted, especially through his difficult illness these past few years. My wife, Sue, and I extend our hearts to the family, one and all.
Stan Love
February 28, 2008
Thank for sharing life,love,and
intellectual agendas with us. Your role model of excellence,character,
ethics,and values made us better people. Blessings,love, and peace.
Stan & Maryann Love
Jim Wessendorf
February 28, 2008
I spent three years as a teacher in Itasca some forty years ago and remember Ted as a dedicated member of the school board and used several of the books he published in my teaching career. In addition to having Steve in class and on the basketball team, several of us spent some cold fall weekends painting the Peacock homestead. My condolences to the family and especially to Steve who was always one of my favorites.
Tad Peacock
February 28, 2008
My father, Ted Peacock, was an uncommon man. For all his foibles and human idiosyncracies, he was, throughout his life and in the end, a loving, trusting and generous individual. He was a great example of achieving the "American Dream" by starting his own publishing company and building it to be extremely successful. All the while he was helping our mother, Jean, to raise a family of 5 children in the idyllic world of the 1960's town of Itasca. Dad's life was defined in that era.
He loved life. He loved human interaction. He loved to sail his boat, Galadrial, and to play cribbage with me and my son, Wade. And he loved friendly but fierce games of tennis, Capture the Flag and volleyball. Upon victory, he'd often let out the "Peacock Victory Cry", which was as endearing as it was irritating.
Most of those activities took place at Watervale, the summer vacation tradition that started in 1957. There, he was in his element. He loved the big beach and the outlet and sailing the Sunfish to Boo Hoo, and having a cocktail with mom before dinner at the Inn. At Watervale, he enjoyed his grandchildren and a great grandchild, and all his friends there. Of all the places he'd been in the world, he talked about Watervale the most, and with the fondess memories.
As for his adult children, Peggy, Anne, myself, Sally and Stephen, we remain behind with memories and lessons learned from him and his life. Though he wasn't able to express it near the end, we all knew he loved us very much and we loved him, as well. He will be greatly missed and we know he is in a better place.
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