Deceased May 21, 2017
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In Memory
Our dad, who pursued his passion for new and evolving technologies throughout his career as salesman, commodities broker and IT expert, died of cancer May 21, at his home in Ruxton, Md.
Pete grew up in the Drexel Hill section of Philadelphia, graduating from Episcopal Academy in 1952 and Amherst College (Theta Xi) in 1956. His father was president of Saybolt & Cleland, Philadelphia furniture manufacturers. Pete elected not to join the family business, attending the Wharton School instead, then leaving to join the Navy in 1958 as a navigator, patrolling the Pacific from Hawaii to Midway Island to Alaska.
He married Frances H. Patton (Smith ’60). The couple lived in Honolulu until his discharge from the Navy in 1962. After short stints elsewhere, they moved to their current home in Ruxton in 1966. There they raised three children: David ’85, Rebecca ’87 and Robert (Bates ’92). Strong family traditions included annual trips to Fenwick Island, Del.; family sing-alongs led by Pete, an accomplished pianist; and backyard fireworks.
Trained as a chemist, Pete delighted in assisting customers with the formulation of new products. In 1971, he changed careers—becoming a commodities trader specializing in volatile markets. As he developed programs to predict market moves, Pete fell in love with computer technology. He became an early aficionado of Apple Computer and invested astutely in the company, following with more early investments in Google, Tesla and other emerging firms. In his later years, he monitored friends and family on all matters technological.
Pete retained his love of music, traveling widely to hear Dixieland jazz. He was devoted to his family and never missed an opportunity to visit with cousins at the family cottage in Fenwick Island.
He is survived by his wife, Frances; three children; five grandchildren; and a sister.
David Saybolt ’85
Rebecca Bainum ’87