Peter Kump

1942 - 2022

Peter Kump
October 24, 1942 - July 28, 2022
Peter Edwin Kump was born at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, California and raised in Palo Alto and Menlo Park where his father, Peter Kump Sr. established an architectural practice following World War II. Peter's mother, Edwina Breen Kump, was raised on the Topo Ranch in King City, California. Peter and his two sisters grew up in a home full of art, adventure, and stories of the early days of the Salinas Rodeo and ranch life. They carried forward these stories and memories for future generations of the family.
"The little left-hander from Menlo Park" played Babe Ruth Baseball on a team sponsored by his father, not surprisingly called the "AIA". In high school Peter continued to pursue his passion for sports at Bellarmine College Preparatory where he was a quarterback on the football team, the Bellarmine Bells.
At the age of 17, Peter headed off to South Bend, Indiana where he attended, and graduated, from Notre Dame University. This was followed by a combat tour in Vietnam with the United States Marine Corps. Peter was a dedicated Marine; a Captain at the end of active service and a recipient of the Purple Heart for wounds he sustained while in service. His years at Notre Dame and serving in the Marine Corps were the most formative experiences of his life. He ultimately dedicated an incredible amount of time and energy promoting and supporting both.
Peter had an adventurous beginning to his business career, relocating from California to the Philippines with his first wife Frankie. Shortly thereafter they welcomed their first son, James (Jake). They subsequently moved from Manila to New York, where their second son Alex was born, and then to England with Chevron International. He would spend nearly forty years working for the company. During his time in Manila, Peter fell in love with the sport of rugby and added tennis when he moved to New York. Ever the sportsman, Peter made lifelong friends and memories from these experiences.
Peter eventually returned to the USA later in his career. He had postings in Houston, then Atlanta, and ultimately back to the Bay Area. Though he is known to have said "Big Oil Never Sleeps," Peter managed to find some waking hours for his hobbies. Somewhere along the way, his rugby and tennis life transitioned to a full-blown love affair with golf. He maintained a membership at the Olympic Club in San Francisco and utilized opportunities to play the finest courses in the world, including St. Andrews and Augusta.
Peter was an avid traveler because of his devotion to his friends. He returned to Europe countless times for visits with those friends dearest to him. Peter – also known as "Kumpie," "Big Pete", "Pedro", "Papa Peter", "PEK" - cleverly founded an international golf tournament for his comrades, aptly named "The Hunt Challenge Cup" after his dear British friend Peter Hunt. This annual tournament alternated between the US and UK and regularly reunited friends from all parts of his life. These friends and this annual tournament brought him some of his greatest post-retirement joys.
In retirement, Peter also worked tirelessly to establish and serve as a board member of the Marine Corps Memorial Foundation in Quantico, Virginia. In addition, he established the Kump Family Endowment for Excellence for Academic Services for Student-Athletics at Notre Dame.
Peter formally retired with his wife Lindy to La Quinta, California in 2013. There they enjoyed fine weather, golf, friendship and their three adoring cats Ricky, Lucy, and Freddy.
Peter is survived by his devoted wife Lindy, son Jake; son Alex and wife, Dani; two grandchildren: Mack (15) and Noa (13); two sisters: Vicki Englert and Mary Byrnes; and many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Semper Fidelis. Rest in Peace Peter