Peter Peckham; philanthropist, ex-Padres owner, yacht racer, 79
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By Jack Williams
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
June 30, 2006
For Peter Peckham, avoiding public attention was no easy chore.
His name resonated as much in business circles, where he was known for
real estate investments and his onetime partnership in the San Diego
Padres, as it did in the world of high-stakes yachting.
Only in philanthropy, it seemed, did he succeed in keeping a relatively
low profile.
"His philanthropy was always below the radar; he never wanted to be
acknowledged," his son, Michael, said.
One of his favorite causes was Children's Hospital and Health Center,
to which he and his wife, Nancy, made a major gift a few years ago to
endow the Family Services Program for cancer patients.
"The entire Peckham family is very closely involved in the Children's
mission," said Blair L. Sadler, president and chief executive officer
of Children's Hospital. "Peter himself was a man of unlimited energy,
extraordinary humor, and he always had a twinkle in his eye."
Mr. Peckham died Monday at UCSD Medical Cancer of complications from
injuries suffered in an auto accident June 19. He was 79.
In addition to supporting Children's Hospital, Mr. Peckham joined his
wife in contributing to such causes as the San Diego Foundation, Point
Loma High School, the San Diego Zoo, the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier
Museum, Volcan Mountain Preserve and Liberty Station.
"Pete didn't want credit for things," said Malin Burnham, a
longtime community leader and friend since childhood. "I'm sure Pete
did many things none of us will know about."
As president of Investcal Realty Corp., Mr. Peckham was involved in the
management of hotels including the Catamaran, Julian Lodge and Half
Moon Inn. He also invested in industrial parks and retail centers and
was a partner with Ben Chadwell in the Kona Marine Anchorage.
He took up sailing competitively as a teen at the San Diego Yacht Club.
Mr. Peckham won three world championships in 32-foot Pacific Coast
Class boats. His last title was in 1992 aboard the Confusion.
"He owned three or four of the PC boats over the years," Burnham
said. "He could race in them or sail them for recreation."
Mr. Peckham also sailed in a 5.5-meter Olympic Trials competition with
Olympic Star Class champion Lowell North and competed with Burnham,
Dick Deaver and Vince Brun.
He was a former president of the Columbia 4.4 Meter Racing Association
and the P.C. Class Racing Association.
Mr. Peckham and Burnham were among 15 partners, headed by Tom Werner,
who bought the Padres in 1990 from Joan Kroc for a reported $75
million. They sold the team in 1994 to John Moores for $80 million.
"It was a new experience for Pete and me, a combination of business
and recreation," Burnham said. "We got behind the scenes, mingled
with the players at the batting cages and the locker rooms."
Peter Hildreth Peckham, born Aug. 26, 1926, in San Diego, grew up
loving a variety of sports.
At Point Loma High School, he was captain of the football team and also
lettered in baseball, basketball and track.
He joined the Navy at 17 and served during World War II aboard the
aircraft carrier Casablanca. Then he followed Burnham to Stanford
University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business and was
active in Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
Starting his business career in San Diego with the Percy H. Goodwin
Co., Mr. Peckham learned the fundamentals of real estate brokerage
before opening Investcal Realty.
His daughter, Carol, died in an auto accident in 1969 just before
graduating from Point Loma High School. A son, Gary, died in 1974 at
age 20 from leukemia.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy; sons, Michael Peckham and Bruce
Peckham, both of San Diego; sisters, Jane Bishop of San Diego and Anne
Seed of Santa Barbara; and six grandchildren.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday at the garden of
Mr. Peckham's childhood home, 2905 Nichols St., Point Loma. Donations
are suggested to the Children's Hospital Cancer Care Center, 3020
Children's Way, Mail Code 5005, San Diego, CA 92123.