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John Peter Franks

1946 - 2017

John Peter Franks obituary, 1946-2017, Phoenix, Az

John Franks Obituary

John Peter Franks

May 10, 1946 - September 23, 2016

May 10, 2017 would have been John Peter Franks' 71st birthday. He passed away in Belmont, CA on September 23, 2016, and will be forever missed by his family and friends.

The son of Stan and Lucille Franks, Peter was born in Palo Alto, CA on May 10, 1946. As a child, Peter moved with his family to Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Connecticut, and Switzerland. When his family returned to Mexico in 1961, Peter went to Spokane, WA, where he had extended family, to attend high school. He graduated from St. George's School in Spokane, then returned to Palo Alto, CA to attend Stanford University, graduating from Stanford in 1968.

Peter spent most of his adult life in his beloved San Francisco Bay Area, living in San Francisco and Marin. He had three great passions: investing in the stock and commodity markets, long-distance running, and bridge.

He worked for many years at the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange, followed by many more years at Charles Schwab Co. He eventually moved to Phoenix, AZ to continue working for Charles Schwab. Peter also purchased a home in Silver City, NM, where he liked to spend time and made many good friends.

One of Peter's lifelong passions was running, particularly ultramarathons (races longer than 26.2 miles) on trails. He completed some 30 of them, four of 50 miles. And he raced well, including a best time of four hours and 45 minutes in Marin County's notoriously brutal Quadruple Dipsea Race (which he finished five times) and a 4:22 at the Skyline 50K.
But what he most loved about running was the camaraderie of friends and the connection with nature. While living in Marin, his favorite running haunt was Point Reyes National Seashore, where he logged many miles solo and with others. Peter enjoyed running with his friends on the nature filled colorful picturesque trails of Marin. They would laugh, tell stories and log in the miles after work or on the weekend. Peter was a quiet man, gentle soul, intelligent, witty, charming and very pleasant to be around. His friends appreciated his amazing sense of being in the moment and embracing their friendship.
Companions dubbed Peter the "Surgin' General" for his ability to pull away on tough hills. Another sobriquet was "Sneaky Pete," for his pre-race ritual of declaring doubts about even finishing, then competing ferociously. All recall his dry wit, his intelligence, his caring for others and his infectious smile. In later years in Silver City, he spent many hours in Tonto National Forest on the course of the Zane Grey 50 Mile race.
One of Peter's many legacies in the running world is the Headlands 50K, now among the nation's premier ultramarathons. Peter co-founded the event (with Guy Palmer, in 1995), as the Point Reyes 50K, then ran the race and worked as a volunteer for many years after.

Peter's wit, intelligence and value of friendship – as well as his self-deprecating humor - were also greatly appreciated by his friends and partners in the world of his other great passion, the game of bridge. Peter became an expert bridge player early in his life and achieved the status of "Life Master" before he was 30.

Peter's temperament at the bridge table was unflappable. He was always polite, courteous and considerate to opponents and partners alike. He made his partners feel valued and respected, even on occasions of the loss of a game or tournament.

Peter was the perfect partner and everyone loved to play with him. His favorite partners were players well-known both nationally and in the S.F. Bay Area. He was sought after as a partner for his encyclopedic command of the game as well as his temperament at the bridge table. He partnered or played with several famous individuals, but out of respect for their privacy as well as his own, he never mentioned names.

Peter was first or second in many major Regional bridge events over the years including the Grand National Teams and the San Francisco City Championship.

Peter is mourned by his three sisters, Elizabeth Franks of San Mateo, CA, Mary Louise Olsson of Woodside, CA, and Margaret Anaya (Heriberto) of San Antonio, TX and Seattle, WA. He is deeply missed by his four nieces, Christie, Jessica, Monica and Natalie, grandnieces Mackenzie and Abigail and numerous family members in Spokane, WA, as well as all his friends in California, Washington, Arizona and New Mexico.

Heartfelt thanks are extended to his special friends in the running and bridge communities, for their contributions to this obituary.

May Peter now run free and fly.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from May 8 to May 10, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for John Franks

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May 18, 2017

I was a close friend of Peter's in Geneva from 1958 to 1961. I last saw him in Mexico City in 1963-64 when I visited him and his family there. We stayed in touch for a few years after that. I had been recently trying to locate him, and was saddened to learn of his passing.

I remember his three sisters, and wish to convey my condolences to them.

Peter Wershof, Ottawa (Ontario), Canada

Stacia Routh

May 15, 2017

I'm sorry that you won't attend our next class reunion, Peter. I know I speak for many when I say that you willed be missed.

Au Revoir!

May 12, 2017

With deepest sympathy, may the power of prayer ease your sorrow, bring you peace and provide much comfort for you during this difficult time. Matthew 21:22

May 11, 2017

I feel very fortunate to have known and dated Peter during our high school years. We had many wonderful times together going to concerts, sporting events and yes, proms! As our Lord has promised, the day will come when there will be no more sorrow or tears. He was a true friend and I miss him so much, but we will meet again. With lots of LOVE, Donna Dahl Pickering

George Frazier

May 11, 2017

This beautifully written obituary does an amazing job of capturing the spirit and accomplishments of Peter Franks. He was a dear friend and an incredible person.

As one of the runners who fell victim to "the Surgin' General" as he blasted up the steepest Marin trails, I was always amused by Peter's bland denial that he'd forced the pace. With a twinkle in his eye and an aw-shucks shrug, he would say something like, "I didn't speed up. I just thought you guys were taking it easy and saving yourselves for tomorrow's workout."

He was an wonderful man and I miss him dearly.

James Lawson

May 10, 2017

I met Pete when I first moved to San Francisco in 1981. First and foremost Pete was the nicest guy you could ever meet. Over the course of a couple thousand miles worth of runs I never once heard him say a bad thing about anybody. That nice guy was not so nice when it came to training runs. He would always preface a run or race with a comment about how tired he felt or how something hurt him and then he would proceed to turn a perfectly nice training run into an absolutely tortuous two hours of pain! I think it was either me or my brother John that coined the "sneaky Pete" name after a dozen or so of these runs. The picture accompanying this obit is absolutely perfect. It captures that wonderful smile I always saw when meeting Pete. I count myself as a lucky man for having met Pete and enjoying some special times with him.

James Lawson

May 10, 2017

I met Pete when I first moved to San Francisco in 1981. First and foremost Pete was the nicest guy you could ever meet. Over the course of a couple thousand miles worth of runs I never once heard him say a bad thing about anybody. That nice guy was not so nice when it came to training runs. He would always preface a run or race with a comment about how tired he felt or how something hurt him and then he would proceed to turn a perfectly nice training run into an absolutely tortuous two hours of pain! I think it was either me or my brother John that coined the "sneaky Pete" name after a dozen or so of these runs. The picture accompanying this obit is absolutely perfect. It captures that wonderful smile I always saw when meeting Pete. I count myself as a lucky man for having met Pete and enjoying some special times with him.

May 10, 2017

May the God of hope give you a measure of peace and comfort in this truly difficult time. Romans 15:13.

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