Peter A. Howley

Peter A. Howley died peacefully in his sleep after managing the challenges of Lewy Body Dementia-Parkinson's.

Peter was born in Philadelphia on March 5, 1940 to General Frank L. Howley and Edith Cadwallader Howley. Peter lived in Berlin, Germany from 1946-49 (during the Berlin Blockade) while his father served as US Sector Commandant of Berlin.

Peter graduated from Malvern Prep (Malvern, PA) in 1958 and from NYU with a BS in Industrial Engineering in 1962 and an MBA in 1970. He loved his alma mater and made life-long friends at his fraternity, Psi Upsilon.

Peter served as a Captain in the Air Force, stationed at Plattsburg Air Force Base (1962-65) and Mildenhall USAFE, England (1967-68). He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for developing management techniques for identifying and solving aircraft maintenance issues. He was proud to serve his country and thoroughly enjoyed the travel and challenge of military life.

Peter and his first wife, Mavin Howley, had three children. They lived in White Plains, NY, and Kingman, AZ, eventually settled in Mill Valley, CA.

Peter began his career in telecommunications at AT&T and MCI. In Kingman, Peter served as the Vice President and General Manager of Citizens Utilities, the largest employer in the region. Utilizing turnaround management he revived and modernized the underperforming district.

In 1985, he became CEO of Centex Telemanagement. Under his leadership, Centex was the fifth fastest growing company in America. Peter was an early investor and board member of Exodus Communications, which still holds a NASDAQ record for 13 consecutive quarters of greater than 40% growth. Peter was known as a bold leader and esteemed mentor. Long before DEI, he ensured that women and people of color held executive positions in the companies that he led. As CEO, he valued everyone he worked with and was admired for his integrity.

The song, "I Was Born Under A Wandering Star" was Peter's personal anthem. He loved adventure and instilled that same spirit in his children.

He was an author, avid skier, tri-athlete, skydiver, tennis player, and ran marathons. Pete was a passionate sailor, regularly enjoying the winds of the San Francisco Bay and the BVI, and pursuing sailing adventures and misadventures around the globe.

Most of all, Peter will be remembered for his generous spirit and sense of humor. His Mill Valley home was a gathering place for family and friends-including many who found a second home under his roof and saw him as a father figure. He loved sharing stories and colorful jokes, often surprising those who knew him as a serious businessman. His generosity extended far beyond his immediate family, providing financial support and guidance to a wide spectrum of people.

In 2007, Peter married Jeanine Alexander, and they set up home in Petaluma, Ca.

Peter's family was his pride and joy. He is survived by his beloved wife Jeanine Alexander, his daughters Tara and Christina, son Sean, stepdaughter Michaela, grandchildren: Esme, Oona, Ethan, Rafael, Theo, and Levi, and siblings: Fran, Bill, and Dennis. Though he will be deeply missed, his spirit will live on-in the companies he shaped, the stories he told, and the countless lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in the name of Peter Howley may be made to the Exploratorium SF, where innovation meets imagination

https://www.exploratorium.edu/support/give