Peter Edgar Steiner

1941 - 2024

Peter Edgar Steiner
04/20/1941 - 10/27/2024
Peter Edgar Steiner, born April 20, 1941 in Los Angeles, CA to Ruth Sinton Steiner and Paul David Steiner, passed away peacefully in his Portola Valley home on October 27, 2024. Peter is survived by his wife, Anne Gibson Steiner, their children Amy Steiner Sanford and Peter Jack Steiner and their spouses, Blair Sanford & Katrina Steiner. He was the proud grandfather to seven grandchildren: Andrew Sanford (Phoebe Joaquin), Meg Sanford Walker (Kevin Walker), Beth Sanford, Peter Lewis Steiner (Aiyana Lewis Steiner), Nicole Steiner, Greggory Steiner and Hannah Steiner. Peter is also survived by his brother, David Steiner (Leslie Steiner) and their children.
He lived in Hillsborough, CA from 1943-1959 where he attended Hillsborough School and San Mateo High School. While at San Mateo High School, Peter met Anne Gibson, the love of his life. Following a long courtship, the two married in 1962, before Peter's senior year at Berkeley - where he received his degree in 1963. Peter graduated from the Stanford STEP program in 1964, receiving a Master's degree in secondary education. He taught speech and English at Los Altos High School and coached the boy's tennis team. His daughter Amy (Sanford) was born in 1966, and from 1967-1970, Peter worked in the Dean of Students office at Cal, primarily assigned to the Greek System. His time in the Dean's Office was marked with two milestones: the birth of Jack in 1969, and the opportunity to work on his PhD, which he received in 1972. From 1970-1975, Peter served as the Associate Dean of Students at the new Cal State Bakersfield, and from 1976-1980 as Dean of Students at Olympic Community College in Washington state. A return to the Bay Area came in the form of a post as Dean of Students at Menlo College from 1980-1988. He then moved into alumni affairs as the Alumni Director at UC Santa Cruz from 1988-1990, and finished his professional career at UC Santa Barbara as the Executive Director of the Alumni Association from 1990-2006. He was granted an Honorary Degree from UCSB in 2005, and led the fundraising efforts for perhaps his proudest professional achievement - the UCSB Mosher Alumni House, completed in 2007. He claimed to have retired too early, though his numerous consulting stints kept him busy. Besides, he didn't seem too upset on the golf course, tennis court, or walking the trails of Portola Valley with Anne and their dog, Crumpet.
Peter had a life that we all hope to emulate. He was married for 62 years to his high school sweetheart, Anne, was an incredible father to Amy & Jack and their spouses, and was the best grandfather a child - or adult - could ask for. Papa. He rarely missed a sporting event, a stage performance, or a chance to write and recite a poem on their birthdays. He was a friend to many and touched countless lives; he was an especially wonderful mentor to young adults. Peter was an avid tennis player and golfer, and a forever hopeful fan of his beloved CAL Bears. This year would have been his 75th Big Game. He was a member of the Palo Alto Club, where deep in enemy territory, he would play bridge, dominoes, and gin rummy. He also served on countless boards, in volunteer organizations, and was an author of a leadership training book.
Peter was loved deeply by his family, friends and acquaintances. He was always available for refreshingly frank advice, a Bay Area sports commiseration, or just a quick chat. He lived with a rare form of cancer - Eccrine Carcinoma - for ten years, but it didn't keep him off the tennis court. It took a broken arm in June to end a long and storied career of sidespin backhands and post-match rootbeer floats. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in Peter's honor, the family suggests CASA of San Mateo County or The Chancellor's Fund at UC Berkeley. The family will hold a private ceremony.