Peter J.S. Koo

Peter J.S. Koo passed away peacefully on January 8, 2016 surrounded by his family. He had struggled with health complications that hindered his recovery from back surgery in 2014. Peter was born on May 22, 1949 in Shanghai, China, just days before the Communists marched into the city. Peter's father William escaped in 1957, and in 1961 the Koo family reunited in Hong Kong. In 1963 they boarded a ship to San Francisco and established their home in Palo Alto, CA. Peter worked as a clinical pharmacist specializing in pain management at UC San Francisco for 34 years. He loved his work, pushed his students and residents to become better clinicians, and helped many patients over the years. Peter was patient and kind. He loved spending time with family, whether at a Cal football game or on the calm fishing waters. He was also a handyman, poker player, avid fisherman, golfer and cook. Peter was an adventurous epicurean who never said no to a new recipe or hot sauce. More than anything, he cherished the moments when his friends and family gathered to savor a delicious meal. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Debbie of Moraga ; daughter Jackie of Sacramento; son Ryan and his wife Kendall Walker Koo of Orinda; siblings Paul Koo and his wife Darice of Palo Alto, John Koo and his wife Theresa Yang of Los Angeles, and Michele Koo and her husband Rick Lehman of St. Louis; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions made to UCSF School of Pharmacy in memory of Peter Koo or St. Monica's Soup to Serve Ministry St. Monica's Soup to Serve Ministry