Peter Hand Conard, a deep thinker and connector of people and ideas, died at home, after a long journey with lung cancer, on December 10, 2014, surrounded by his wife and sons. He was 52 years much too young.
Peter grew up in Vershire, Vermont, on the campus of the Mountain School, founded by his parents just after he was born. He and his two brothers were raised in a spirited, charismatic, intellectual home, where Peter absorbed, and became a master of, conversation and crossword puzzles. They skied the mountains of Vermont, beginning a lifetime of graceful, skillful, joyful oneness with ice and snow.
Peter attended Middlebury College, graduating with a degree in Geology in 1983. His years there were marked by making deep friendships (and good-natured mischief with them) that lasted a lifetime. Drawn to architecture and design, having built houses in Vermont, Alaska and Colorado, he earned a masters degree in architecture from the University of Oregon in 1991. Peter's passion was for creating homes that his clients love to live in, and were artistic structures revealing the beauty of their surroundings in unexpected ways. He was a gifted listener and interpreter of his clients’ desires, and his clients often became friends. He practiced his art and his craft with his partner, Jim Romano, at their firm ConardRomano Architects.
Peter and Laura met playing hockey in Seattle, and married, raising two sons, who were Peter’s pride and joy. He was devotedly involved in fathering Sam and Eli: coaching hockey, soccer and baseball teams, passing on his passion and skill for skiing, proudly cheering on rock climbing and ultimate Frisbee, participating on the boards of the schools his sons attended. Of all his passions, none were greater than his family.
Peter is a man remembered for his always-positive attitude and amazing smile. He has left his mark on this world with his keen wit, meaningful insights, and an extraordinary vision for seeing things that many of us could not; and by the many houses Peter designed that grace the planet in Vermont, Wyoming, Australia, the Shetland Islands, and Washington. He is survived by his wife, Laura, and their two sons, Sam and Eli; by his brother Nat and his wife Brenda Hamm, and their children Rebecca and Ben; and by his sister-in-law, Carol, and her children, Lindsey, Ian and Addie. He is predeceased by his brother David, and his parents, Doris and Mac. He is also survived by a large community of friends who loved him.
“It seems Peter lived his life the same way he played hockey...he showed and played all 60 minutes with total commitment and respect for the game and his team mates.”
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We are most grateful for the superb care Peter received throughout his treatment at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
Memorial contributions may be made to LUNGEVITY, a lung cancer-focused nonprofit organization.
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A Celebration of Peter’s life will likely be held in the spring. Peter’s Caring Bridge site will have updates about the date of the service.