Peter Gordon Halsted

PETER GORDON HALSTED Mass of the Resurrection for Dove Creek resident Peter Gordon Halsted was held at 2 p.m. on Monday, October 15, at St. Jude Catholic Church in Dove Creek. Peter was born on July 26, 1938 to Charles Valentine Gordon Halsted and Doris Sanderson, in Dorset, England. Peter was sent to board at Felsted School while his parents stayed at the various flax mills they owned during the War. As flax was the prime textile used in uniforms, parachutes and other necessary military items, the mills were often bombed. Though not safe itself, England was more stable than the itinerate life of his parents. While far from her son, Peter’s mother died of cancer just days after a hockey accident tore his face and fractured his jaws and teeth. The young man was doubly traumatized. Though Peter struggled through many subjects in school, he excelled beyond any expectations in drafting. He pursued a career in engineering in heating and air conditioning. Having finished his studies and an apprenticeship, Peter decided to travel to America to the birthplace of his field to expand his knowledge. Leaving London while he readied his passports he met a lovely young woman doing the same. She was going to New York, he to San Francisco. A year later they met again at a party in San Francisco and eventually married. During his life in the City, Peter worked in top firms where he became involved in buildings such as the Saudi Arabian Airport, the Monterey Aquarium, and many high rise buildings in San Francisco’s business district. After 15 years of happy marriage, his sweet Helen died of Leukemia. Later, Peter married the daughter of one of Helen’s close friends. He and Donna Mae made their home in Meadow Vista where they produced one son, Walter. Peter longed to have a business of his own and trained as a picture framer with the renowned Paul Fredrick, the founder of the Professional Picture Framers Association. He and Donna Mae opened a frame shop and art gallery where they combined their talents of art, teaching and engineering. While the little village grew into a large town the couple became more concerned about the impact the growing city lifestyle and attitude was having on their son. Because of a dot on the map they traveled to Colorado to see what Dove Creek was like. Peter fell in love with it at first sight. They purchased land and stayed. On the way back to California during the first moving trip, Peter and Walter had an accident, rolling the F-250 four and a half times on I-70 just three miles from Green River. Peter sustained and overcame a broken neck. Walter suffered only scratches. Peter loved everything about his Colorado home and wished he had found it 20 years earlier. It was here he found devoted friendships and many outlets for his talents and hobbies. Four years into his Colorado paradise, Peter had a two pound cancerous spleen removed. Though seemingly healthy afterwards, Peter continued to suffer more fatigue and loss of weight. This past year was an ongoing battle with the ups and down of lymphoma. Last Friday, October 12, Peter lost the battle. Surrounded by his family he breathed his soul into the hands of the Eternal Father. Peter is survived by his wife, Donna Mae of Dove Creek; his son, Walter and wife, Mary; two grandsons, Augustine and Maxwell; a granddaughter in vitro; all of Orangevale, Calif.; his half-sister, Louise and husband, Kevin Hurlow of Backwell, England; and his nephews, Oliver and Nicholas.