Colin Maclean Peters

Colin Maclean Peters Died at home on Sept. 2. He was 89. Colin grew up in Los Altos, the son of Herman and Margaret Peters. He often fished for trout in Adobe Creek, hunted and trapped for furs in the local hills. He played hooky for an entire year in grammar school, each day passing up school and heading into the hills where he followed local hero Jimmy Griffin on his trap lines. After graduating from Mountain View high school, he attended San Jose State where he was on the boxing team. He graduated with a degree in philosophy in 1940. Following Pearl Harbor and America's entry into WWII, Colin enlisted in the navy. From the air, he scouted enemy positions in South Pacific islands penetrating their camouflage with his color-blind vision. Colin earned the academic honor of "Order of the Coif" at Stanford Law School, graduating in 1947. There he met and married Carol Stearns, also a Stanford law student. He started as an attorney with the McCutchen law firm in San Francisco. After a brief period with McCutchen, he joined Frank Crist in Palo Alto. He became a partner and the lead trial attorney for Crist, Peters, Donegan and Brenner, establishing a reputation as a fearless and savvy litigator. In 1968, he started his own practice in Palo Alto, where he rose to prominence as a family law specialist. He later welcomed his son, Stephen, and former legal assistant, Patricia Ellingson as partners in the firm of Peters, Peters & Ellingson. A man thoroughly devoted to his profession, Colin continued to practice law well into his 80's, and only ceased to make his daily trek to his law office when health issues prevented him only a matter of weeks before his death. Colin has a profound interest and knowledge of whales and supported the Save the Whales movement. He served as an advisor to former congressman Paul "Pete" McCloskey and as a delegate to the International Whaling Commission in London in 1973. He loved poetry and could recite long passages of Shakespeare from memory. He believed that one should read slowly, respecting the time the author took in choosing his words. He loved the competition and camaraderie of sports, playing golf and tennis throughout most of his life, and watching every available professional sports contest on television. He will be remembered for his irreverence and biting wit as well as his generosity and intellect. He was a loving husband, devoted father, and patient and gentle grandfather. He is survived by his wife Carol; his sons Geoffrey (Peggy) and Stephen (Carol), and daughter Anne Battle (Buz). He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Wesley and Lisa Battle, Kristy Carling, John and Kevin Peters.