Peter Topol

Peter Topol

November 20, 1938

June 21, 2015

Peter Topol came west from Brooklyn with his large, active family when he was eight years old. His parents, Sidney and Lillian, established a lumber manufacturing business, first in Burney Falls and finally in Truckee. Putting down roots in Sacramento, the Topol family spent the bulk of their time in Tahoe City, on the banks of their beloved Lake Tahoe. Their family home at Tahoe was covered wall to wall with sports and deep sea trophies, and many, many Reno residents have colorful stories of their visits over the years to "The Topol Compound," to swim, water ski, barbecue, jump off the boat house, and definitely laugh, as all Topols were like stand-up comedians. Many of us remember Peter taking off on a water ski, fully clothed in his tuxedo, at his daughter, Cydney's, wedding there. This was considered normal.

Peter and his brother-in-law, John, formed a business partnership (Associated Timber Products) when they were about 30, beginning with the purchase of the Tahoe Inn in Tahoe City from the Bechdolt family, leased to Victoria Station (which is now the Blue Agave, where today we can visit Peter's brother, Steve, tending bar 24 / 7, even though he doesn't drink. Stop by for great Mexican food and hilarious Topol repartee).

Associated Timber went on to buy lakefront commercial property from the Hausermann family, where they developed the Lighthouse Shopping Center, which was eventually "inherited" by Peter's (then) wife, Judy (nee Metzker, married 1963), author of this obituary, btw (divorced in 1988, but Peter never noticed). Associated Timber also went on to develop the Raley's shopping center in Incline Village, purchased by John Otto and sons soon after. John and Peter went their separate business ways early on, but never forgot their initial capers together.

Peter played the saxophone, and had a life-long passion for jazz. He bought his son, Adam, a full professional drum set at age 8, in order to give him a head start living out Peter's own fantasies. Many Tahoe neighbors remember practice time wafting through the pine trees and over the once calm waters.

Peter could be heard in later years constantly bragging about his son touring the world via his music career, and his daughter being the great art photographer that Peter also had a talent for. Life has its rewards, and for Peter that was his family, no matter what. Well, there was the little "Nate" incident, but details, details. Peter never held grudges, and loved each family member deeply, and always (let's just forget about his temper, that's the past). Peter was kind.

Even when he could barely walk, Peter could be seen swimming laps every day all summer, either at Tahoe, or at various pools in Reno. Many who knew Peter have colorful stories about both the airport and the TJ Maxx Starbucks, but those stories are for another day.

Peter was preceded in death by his beloved siblings, Nate (Virginia Berry) and Renee; and his parents, Sidney and Lillian. He is survived by his also beloved little brother, Steve Topol (Cindy McCallum), and his baby sister, Lenell McCallum (Patrick); his beloved children, Cydney Kingery (Bob) of Portland, Oregon, and son, Adam Topol of Venice, Los Angeles; his most beloved granddaughter, Eloise DeMil of Florence, Italy; and Bob's darling sons, Max and Sam of Los Angeles and Portland, respectively, whom Peter also adored. Peter is also survived by Fulkerson, McCallum, Modlin, Metzker, Rolling, Peters, and Topol nieces and nephews (we won't mention Judy, it's a long story).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Aleph Academy, c/o Rabbi and Mrs. Mendel Cunin, 1175 W. Moana Lane, Reno, NV 89509 or alephacademy.com. The Topol family extend their deep gratitude to Peter's beloved dear friends, sisters, Gerry and Sherry Costello, who cared for him so selflessly, generously, and lovingly during his life and who were as close to him as family.

There will be a graveside service for immediate family members (which as you can see is already the size of an army). A memorial for darling Peter is pending for sometime in the future. Thank God he won't be driving anymore, but I can't wait to see him in the Great Beyond. What great stories he will have!

Please visit www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com to leave a remembrance of Peter, or a message for his family, in the Book of Memories.