Peter Radcliff

1932 - 2025

Peter Radcliff
04/29/1932 - 10/05/2025
Peter Edward Radcliff Jr. | 1932–2025
Peter Radcliff, a long-time resident of San Francisco, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025, at the age of 93 in Santa Cruz. Born in 1932 in Istanbul, Turkey, Peter lived a long and full life devoted to learning, family, and community. He was a beloved husband to Diana and a devoted father to Peter Radcliff, Sharon Radcliff, and Daniel Radcliff. He is survived by his children, Sharon and Daniel, and his brother, David. A lifelong scholar and passionate thinker, Peter served as a Professor of Philosophy at San Francisco State University for over 45 years, where he inspired generations of students with his curiosity, wit, and love of debate. Active in the turbulent strike era, he was a strong union leader. He specialized in ethics and philosophy of mind, teaching graduate seminars on Wittgenstein into his 80s. Peter was an avid Scottish Country dancer, dancing into his 90s, enjoying the dance communities in both San Francisco and Santa Cruz, bringing joy and energy to every gathering. He had a deep love of the ocean, spending his youth in San Diego and developing a lifelong passion for surfing. An avid bird watcher, he could name and imitate the songs of hundreds of species. Peter was politically aware, endlessly knowledgeable on a wide range of topics, and always open to learning from others. Peter leaves behind a legacy of compassion, curiosity, kindness, and love.