Peter Blake

Peter Blake, 76, of Kintnersville, passed away on March 8th, 2023, in his home. Peter was born in Milwaukee, WI, in 1946, to Frederick Hughes Blake and Elizabeth Mary Peters.  The family soon moved to Belleview, WA, where he attended elementary and junior high school. During this time, Peter learned to ski, and he became an expert skier and a member of the ski patrol.  He enjoyed electronics and built a number of radio receivers and transmitters, later becoming a ham radio operator.  In 1959 he built a rudimentary computer out of relay switches that could add and subtract numbers.  

Peter and his younger brother David also built motorized go-carts powered by Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engines.  Both brothers terrorized the neighborhood with balsawood rockets powered with Jet-X solid fuel engines.

Peter attended high school at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM, graduating in 1964.  While he was there, he ran track and was one of their premier pole-vaulters.  He was lead guitarist in a band called “Jimmy-Jay and the Moon-Rays” which recorded some rock & roll songs that were played on New Mexico radio stations.

Peter continued his education at the University of Washington where he received an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy and a Ph.D in Pharmacology.  He continued his music, playing in several touring rock bands near Seattle.  
During his graduate and post-graduate years at the U of W he became skilled at computer programming. Upon leaving the university he worked at various companies writing software code, including Texas Instruments and several software start-ups in the Seattle area. Later he became a consultant to pharmaceutical companies, ultimately moving to the East Coast.
Peter is a Vietnam era veteran, achieving the rank of Capt., US Army. He served in the Washington State National Guard in a Mobil Army Surgical Hospital (“MASH”) unit. 

One of Peter’s many hobbies was flying, and he was an accomplished private pilot. Over a span of several years, he hand-built an RV4 and RV6 airplanes, which he flew for many years. He enjoyed taking long motorcycle trips and working out with a professional fitness trainer. Peter was also a proud member of the Men’s Soul Group. 
He was a loving husband to Lorraine Blake who adored and admired him dearly, they were together for over 30 years. His daughter, Melissa Zrinski (Pete); his siblings, David Blake (Carol Stratford) and Paula Austell (Carey); his nieces and nephews, Charles, Thomas, Jennifer, and Laura; and his in-laws, Robert and Pamela Blejwas, and Greg LaCroix. 

Peter was a kind, gentle, and generous man, he will truly be missed.

All arrangements are made by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Ltd. 135 W. Pumping Station Road, Quakertown, PA, 18951. (215-536-3343)

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Peter’s name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.