Peter Kent Freeman

Peter Kent Freeman

November 25, 1931 - January 12, 2024

Peter Kent Freeman passed away with family by his side on January 12, 2024 after a brief illness. He was 92. His death occurred just 20 days after the death of his beloved wife Judith Walls Freeman.

Pete was born on November 25, 1931 in Modesto, CA to Russell and Helen Freeman. He grew up in Oakland, CA and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1953. He received his PhD in chemistry from the University of Colorado in 1958. Pete was a professor of chemistry at the University of Idaho from 1959 to 1968. He joined the Chemistry Department at Oregon State University in 1968 and worked there until his retirement in 1997. Over his career, he taught organic chemistry to many undergraduate students and conducted research in physical organic chemistry in collaboration with many graduate students. After retiring, he continued to do research in computational organic chemistry until his mid-80s. Throughout his life, Pete stayed in contact with his former graduate students and followed their careers with interest. Pete married Marilyn Taber of Sebastopol, CA in 1955. They raised 4 children and were married 37 years until her death in 1992. Pete married Judith Walls Farrahi of Corvallis in 1995. Together Pete and Judy enjoyed traveling the world, supporting music education at OSU and rooting for the Beavers. An avid tennis player, Pete was one of the original members of the Timberhill Tennis Club in Corvallis and played at the club multiple times per week until age 91. He also loved hiking and enjoyed many family trips to the national parks of the western United States. He had a lively sense of humor and a cheerful attitude. Pete is preceded in death by his first wife Marilyn, his second wife Judy and his sister Susan Schullstrom of Eugene, OR. He is survived by his children Diane McMurry (Kevin) of Seattle, Irene Freeman (Robert McDonald) of Evanston, IL, Ted Larson Freeman (Sandy) of Bainbridge Island, WA and Michael Freeman (Julianne) of Corvallis; his stepdaughter Shireen Farrahi of Portland, OR; 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests donations to the International Rescue Committee, www.rescue.org.