Thinking of you yesterday on your birthday. Miss you. RIP     Bonnie & Mike

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETE!!!!

Everyone here really miss you. I was thinking about the first time I met you.  It was at Mama!s house and you were playing a game sitting at the card table Mama always had set up in the living room.  My first thought was a YANKEE.  REALLY.  Little did I know what a great person I had met and what a profound influence he would have on our whole family.  As one of the pooter sisters that lived away I did not feel as close to my family as I would like to have.  

Your generous spirit and love of family changed all of that for the Kihn family. You and Robin began hosting family get togethers and every time Bud and I, or just me, came to town you would have everyone come to party!!!! 

We all miss you and talk about you and all the wonderful times we had with you,

Pete, I also think about how you lived your last pain filled years on this earth with such grace and dignity.  I never heard you complain or take out your feelings on anyone else.  Robin was so lucky to have found you and to have spent 25 years with you.

I also think about your decision on July 3, 2012 and how brave you were to make it.  I can only hope that my life could effect someone half as much as your effected so many.

I love you and miss you.

Suzi

I met Pete in early 1971 when the Army assigned me to a field office in Miami, FL.  I had met my wife on a blind date in late 1970 and I was helping my future brother and his wife move into a house in SW Miami.  Pete was also there and when someone pulled some drapes out of a box to see how they would look, he and I immediately transitioned to two gay interior decorators.  It was the start of a terrific friendship.  Later during the day, a mouse ran out of a washing machine we had moved into place.   At the end of the move Pete proclaimed it the “Day of the Rat!” and we laugh about it to this day.  

Over the next number of months I spent a lot of weekends with him and his buddy Bob, who Pete called Captain Tuna, the Chicken of the Sea.  This included a fair amount of bar hopping and playing of pinball machines on Friday nights.  There were always “war stories” to be traded…..his landing on an aircraft carrier…..my helicopter trip in Korea to an infantry base in an open three seater.  I got out of the service in September of ‘71 and started working in Fort Lauderdale.  I would make the trip down to Miami on a regular basis and Pete was always very generous with a place to stay, if needed.  Within 8 months I was re-assigned to work Miami and Miami Beach and I moved back to Miami.  During the next year we had some great times and even bought a boat together that we used to water ski in a lake not far from his place.  I proposed to my wife Robyn (yes, I married a Robyn too) and asked Pete to be one of my groomsmen when I got married in May 1973.    My wife and I moved to Roanoke, VA with a job transfer in 1974 and by ‘75 or ‘76 I had lost track of Pete, knowing only that he had moved to Houston at some point.  It was within the past month or so that I mentioned him to my computer savvy daughter when she was visiting and that I wished I knew what happened to him.  She pulled out her I-Phone, I said “Try Stephen Peter Smith, ADT, and Houston, Texas” and within 5 minutes I learned of his passing on July 4th 2012.  

Pete had a number of funny “sayings” and I unashamedly use them…. even now.  I will offer a toast with “Here's looking up your old address”.  Recently a young engineer had done a nice job for me on a project and I told him “You're a gentleman, a scholar, and a judge of fine ladies underwear”.  I always loved that one.  I think it is a true compliment to a person when you repeat sayings or comments that they regularly said.  I find it a way to remember them…….on a regular basis.  Furthermore, he was a very good dancer and my wife has often said, “No one could slow dance the way Pete Smith could.”  To this day I have not been able to perform better on the dance floor than my old buddy Pete!

My thanks to his wife Robin for spending time with me on the phone so I could learn much more about my good friend's life over the past 20-25 years.  I hate that he struggled in the last couple of years with his health.  What Robin said about him was absolutely true.  He was just a really good guy!

Bill Sinclair

Sometimes when you take a step back from your life and really think about the events and people who helped shape the person you are now, You begin realize that one person who cares about their friends or family can have a huge effect on life's path.

I met Pete through my aunt Robin when I was still in high school. I didn't realize it at the time but Pete would have a great influence on my life. Over the next year or so I got to know Pete through family functions (basketball & volleyball games, barbecues, holidays etc.) We talked about a lot of things but most of the time we talked about my favorite subject  (the outdoors.) Well knowing that hunting and fishing was an important part of my life upon my graduation Pete bought me my first deer rifle a Winchester lever action 30/30. Pete said to me the first deer you take I want some sausages!  Little did we know that it would be 20 years before I would have enough money to join a deer lease and actually harvest my first deer with that very rifle.
After high school I went into a construction job. With a 50lb concrete pneumatic chipping hammer in my hands I started working for Webber Drilling Co. It was at the time a decent job for a young man, but after 2 years of freezing in the winter and burning in the summer sun, I looked around at my co workers who had worked there for years men in their 30's who did not have anything as far as vacation time or 401K or savings and lived from check to check. At that moment I realized that this was not who I wanted to be.
Pete heard I was looking for a different job and offered to bring me an application from his office at ADT Security. I am sure he put in a good word for me with the installation manager (Dave Irwin).  A few weeks later I had interview with Dave Irwin and Bill Bailey. That interview changed my life's path for the better. I have been with ADT/Tyco now for almost 27 years. 
Through the years Pete was always there for our family with a kind word, or advice, and if needed a verbal kick in the pants to help put you back on track. I guess the bottom line is he really cared for those around him (family or not).
I don't know why it has taken me this long to write this down, but it was on my heart today and I wanted to share this with everyone
       Harold P.

Uncle Pete its been a year tomorrow since we had to say goodbye. Our family misses you terribly. I miss you more than words could ever express. Thank you for loving me and Candice like your own. Thank you for spoiling us rotten. Spending weekends with you and Robin has helped make me who I am today. I fell in love with rockin' roll, and the beach because of our trips to galveston blaring Dire Straits.. I miss your witty comments, and your some how soothing snore after a big ol helping of your spaghetti or lasagna. I miss your smile and hugs everyday. We all love and miss you so much.
 
 We will die everyday waiting for you
   dont be afraid, we have loved you
        for a thousand years
 We'll love you for a thousand more

Can't believe it's been a year since Pete passed. Think of him alot - especially recently with this anniversary coming up. Love you brother - rest in peace.

Robin, I just got the news about Pete.  My prayers are with you and your family .

Robin, A lot of good things were said about Pete from the family side. From the ADT side, Pete was not only a co-worker of mine, but I also considered him to be my friend, counselor and mentor. There are so many stories of acts of kindness that Pete did for us. He was a Legend and go to person at ADT. I miss the after work socials that we shared. As you know, Pete was a gifted story teller and great at telling jokes that would keep us in stitches for hours. He always knew the right things to say to take the edge off of a stessful day and always someone to look up to ... a mentor. Pete will truly be missed.    

With deep admiration and respect,

Robin,
Prayers and hugs to you during this difficult time.

Robin, Heartfelt sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time of loss. Pete left a loving legacy while the world lost a great man.  I think it no coincidence that a devoted veteran like him was freed from his mortal chains on Independence Day.  May you feel comfort in knowing that tearful separations today bring the promise of eternal reunions on a brighter day.  The sun will rise again. In the meantime, may your sweet memories together bring solace to your grieving heart.  Many thoughts and prayers are with you.

Robin, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and I hope that this brings you some comfort at such a difficult time.

Robin,you &  the boys are in my prayers.   Pete touched many lives,including mine.  He  always. called me  "kid" it makes me smile thinking of it.  I am thankful  he was a part or my life.

Gods Love and Peace be with you all during this time. To John Leslie Kristen Kayln Kyle and Kerry my Prayers are with you all! Maybe my papaw and him will meet up in heaven and go fishing together! Love you all!

Pete...I am really going to miss you.  You were a wonderful father in law to me and always had great advice.  You were a great dad to John and Stephen and a great Paw Paw.  I cant say enough how much you were loved and will be missed.

Love,
Leslie

Pete I know you're in a better place now.  I am writing this on behalf of Bill Bailey and myself when I say it has been a joy knowing you.  Bill had many stories to share with me about your adventures with ADT.  You have been a brave man who fought with your health for many years.  Many prayers for your family at this time.  May the peace of God fill your loved ones with comfort, and may God gently wrap his mighty arms around you at this time.

Love, Rebecca Bailey

OBITUARY

Peter Stephen Smith

January 14, 1944 – July 4, 2012

Brookside Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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