Peter G. Holmstrom

1929 - 2021

Peter G. Holmstrom
Peter G. Holmstrom, born March 30, 1929, passed away on December 10, 2020 due to Covid-19 in Santa Rosa, California. His loving partner of nearly sixty years, Morton B. Blatt, predeceased him in 2017. Peter was born to Paul and Dorothy Holmstrom in Joliet, Illinois and had one younger brother, Paul Reid Holmstrom. He was raised as a Christian Scientist, a faith that Morton later joined him in. As a youngster, Peter showed an interest in, and aptitude for, finance. While in high school, he exchanged letters with an investment expert in Chicago who was impressed with his acumen. The man came to Peter's home in Joliet wanting to meet him, not realizing he was still a teenager!
Although the business world beckoned, the US Army needed soldiers to fight in Korea. After graduating from Joliet High School, Peter was drafted, serving from 1950 to 1953. He worked as a supply sergeant for the 411th Signal Radio Relay Company in Camp Gordon, GA from 1951 to 1952. After his service, he immediately joined Rodman and Renshaw, Inc., a brokerage firm in Chicago, Illinois. He was a very successful investor and eventually became the Over the Counter Trading Manager and Vice President. While living in Chicago, Peter met and fell in love with Morton Blatt, a successful commercial artist.
In 1976, Peter retired from Rodman and Renshaw, and he and Morton moved to Saugatuck, Michigan. In the late '80s they moved again to Greenbrae, California. They enjoyed the San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco Ballet, as well as the region's wonderful restaurants. Peter enjoyed hosting his extended family each year on Thanksgiving, and frequently entertained them at Christmas and other times during the year. In 2015, they moved to the Smith Ranch retirement community in San Rafael, California. After Morton's death, Peter eventually moved to a care home in Santa Rosa where he was well cared for until his death.
Peter and Morton were avid travelers. They particularly enjoyed European destinations, China, and Sydney, Australia. Peter loved chocolate, red wine, gourmet meals, and financial mystery fiction. Their home was a gallery of Morton's paintings and drawings, their collection of Chinese blue and white porcelain, and of other works of art they collected over the years.
Peter served as trustee on a number of trusts that provided for members of his extended family and others. He was a careful steward, and through his understanding of financial markets ensured that family members who were unable to support themselves were always well looked after. He kept watching the markets long after his formal retirement, helping the trustees who succeeded him to ensure assets remained well-managed. He was kind, thoughtful and charming, always quick to offer love and support -- a true gentleman. Peter is very much loved and missed by his surviving family and friends, especially his cousins Pamela Logan of Colorado (Gregg) , Pryor Logan of Oregon, Krista Holmstrom of Indiana (Tom), Laurel Holmstrom-Keyes of California (Jenny), his nephew John Holmstrom of Illinois and long-time friends George Schopper of Wisconsin, (Vicki) and Chris Griffin of California (Karen).
Peter will be buried in Joliet, Illinois beside his beloved Morton in Elmhurst Cemetery. There will be no service due to COVID restrictions. Donations of remembrance may be made to the Horizons Foundation in San Francisco.