Peter Van Duser

1943 - 2025

Peter Van Duser

June 2, 1943~July 13, 2025

Hello, sun in my face. Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness. These words from Mary Oliver's poem "Why I Wake Early" sum up how Peter Van Duser started all but the last day of his life, Sunday, July 13. Was always up early and ready to go, to learn to do. Born in Horseheads, New York, 10 minutes ahead of his twin brother Pat in 1943. Son of Ralph Van Duser and Dolores (Klos) he came into the world intelligent and curious, and remained that way until the end. Every day was filled with learning.

Pete joined the Army right out of high school where he was trained as a lab technician and sent to Germany. When he returned to the states, Pete went to work in a hospital in Schenectady area there he met and married Marilyn Broland. They are the parents of two sons Todd and Joey. Pete's first love was always writing, and he soon worked at GE as a technical writer.

Pete left GE and moved to Virginia, still working as a technical writer. Pat suggested he come out West to "work in the movies" so Pete moved to Utah. He and Pat worked together, and Pete continued freelance writing and writing movie scripts. Pete worked on a remake of the Grizzly Adams movie for the guy who had the original idea. Pete's position included writing script, film editing and feeding the bears and other animals in Kamas. His bear feeding partner, Gail, ending up being his life partner. Pete used his technical writing skills for a nutritional company where he did the technical and other writing. He had a special talent to take technical information and distill if for layman understanding. He enjoyed his work but retired a few years after Gail, so they had good years before his health started taking a toll.

Pete's special love was research for his writing, thus the reading and owning so many books. He enjoyed photography, music, travel, and the outdoors. Pete and Gail spent a lot of time hiking and traveling to interesting and beautiful places.

Pete is survived by his wife Gail Davis, sons Todd and Joey, grandsons Nickolas and Brandon, stepdaughters Becky (Gainsforth) and Lisa (Smith), step grandchildren Cassey (Wallberg), Jack Gainsforth, and Dalton Smith, and a rowdy bunch of 8 great-great-grandkids, sisters Candy (Bond) and Melissa (Henderson), and brother Timothy. Pete's twin Patrick and sister Cynthia preceded him in death.

For remembrance, Pete's wish is to have a Happy Hour at our home. That will be in September when the weather is cooler.