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"To be what we are, to become what
we are capable of becoming,
is the only end in life."
~Robert Louis Stevenson
On the gusty morning of April 27, 2013, Peter Grauer passed away in the loving arms of his family in Kamloops, British Columbia.
Peter was born in Revelstoke, BC, to Haakon Peter (d.1958) and Nora Evelyn nèe Portman (d.1993) Grauer. He attended school there with his two younger brothers, Robert (Leslie) and Alfie (both of whom predeceased him in the early 1990s), graduated and went on to UBC. Even though he made Kamloops his home with his family for his adult life, he held the small-town beauty, magic and friendships of his life growing up in Revelstoke very close to his heart.
Peter was a very private man who garnered love and respect from his family and the many people he met on his journey. It was easy for him to see humour in the smallest nuances, and his infectious laugh would lift a room. He had a keenly inquisitive mind and constantly pursued knowledge. Although he came from a modest background, he treasured everything life had to offer - family and friends, the beauty of nature, music and art, the joy of owning a piece of land, opportunities to enrich his life, and of course good food.
He was a proud and conscientious Canadian. Peter lived a full and interesting life and never let adversity defeat him. His integrity was admirable and paralleled by few. He consistently pursued what was right even if compromise would have made life easier. How we envied his quiet and gentle confidence. Even after struggling with difficult decisions, he slept with a clear conscience - his compass was always adjusted to "True North". Peter was a genuine and generous man. He appreciated input and unstintingly acknowledged contribution. He was most passionate about gaining and sharing knowledge. Those who were liked and loved by Peter were gifted with encouragement and inspiration.
The story of Bill Miner intrigued Peter, and after years of research, in 2006 he published his first book, Interred With Their Bones, for which he received the Lieutenant Governor's award. While researching the Bill Miner book, Peter came across fascinating and little known history of our province inspiring his next work. Following 6 years of meticulous research focusing on the period 1858 to 1862, Taken at the Flood, is soon to be published posthumously by his immediate family and close friends. To have this body of work completed was Peter's last wish. Peter's books will be his legacy to truth and fairness in the way our history is remembered, with the facts accurately recorded. His quest was to ignite an interest in Canadian history, which he felt had often received a rather dry and cursory treatment. Despite arguments to the contrary, he believed that Canadian history was dynamic, exciting, and to a large degree, unexplored. His writing puts the reader in the moment.
Peter leaves his truest love, best friend and partner of 43 years, Karen Marie (nèe McKenzie) Grauer, his daughter, Kirsten Marie Grauer, 5-year-old granddaughter, Norah Marie Grauer Bell, and son-in-law and friend, Timothy John Bell of Kamloops.
He was predeceased by his son, Karl Edward Grauer, in the spring of 1999.
There will not be a service at this time. Peter's life and last accomplishment will be celebrated together at the launch of "Taken At The Flood" sometime this summer. Date, place and time TBA.
we are capable of becoming,
is the only end in life."
~Robert Louis Stevenson
On the gusty morning of April 27, 2013, Peter Grauer passed away in the loving arms of his family in Kamloops, British Columbia.
Peter was born in Revelstoke, BC, to Haakon Peter (d.1958) and Nora Evelyn nèe Portman (d.1993) Grauer. He attended school there with his two younger brothers, Robert (Leslie) and Alfie (both of whom predeceased him in the early 1990s), graduated and went on to UBC. Even though he made Kamloops his home with his family for his adult life, he held the small-town beauty, magic and friendships of his life growing up in Revelstoke very close to his heart.
Peter was a very private man who garnered love and respect from his family and the many people he met on his journey. It was easy for him to see humour in the smallest nuances, and his infectious laugh would lift a room. He had a keenly inquisitive mind and constantly pursued knowledge. Although he came from a modest background, he treasured everything life had to offer - family and friends, the beauty of nature, music and art, the joy of owning a piece of land, opportunities to enrich his life, and of course good food.
He was a proud and conscientious Canadian. Peter lived a full and interesting life and never let adversity defeat him. His integrity was admirable and paralleled by few. He consistently pursued what was right even if compromise would have made life easier. How we envied his quiet and gentle confidence. Even after struggling with difficult decisions, he slept with a clear conscience - his compass was always adjusted to "True North". Peter was a genuine and generous man. He appreciated input and unstintingly acknowledged contribution. He was most passionate about gaining and sharing knowledge. Those who were liked and loved by Peter were gifted with encouragement and inspiration.
The story of Bill Miner intrigued Peter, and after years of research, in 2006 he published his first book, Interred With Their Bones, for which he received the Lieutenant Governor's award. While researching the Bill Miner book, Peter came across fascinating and little known history of our province inspiring his next work. Following 6 years of meticulous research focusing on the period 1858 to 1862, Taken at the Flood, is soon to be published posthumously by his immediate family and close friends. To have this body of work completed was Peter's last wish. Peter's books will be his legacy to truth and fairness in the way our history is remembered, with the facts accurately recorded. His quest was to ignite an interest in Canadian history, which he felt had often received a rather dry and cursory treatment. Despite arguments to the contrary, he believed that Canadian history was dynamic, exciting, and to a large degree, unexplored. His writing puts the reader in the moment.
Peter leaves his truest love, best friend and partner of 43 years, Karen Marie (nèe McKenzie) Grauer, his daughter, Kirsten Marie Grauer, 5-year-old granddaughter, Norah Marie Grauer Bell, and son-in-law and friend, Timothy John Bell of Kamloops.
He was predeceased by his son, Karl Edward Grauer, in the spring of 1999.
There will not be a service at this time. Peter's life and last accomplishment will be celebrated together at the launch of "Taken At The Flood" sometime this summer. Date, place and time TBA.
Submitted on June 11, 2013 in By David.
