A.E. Peter Vandegrift of Langley, died on Dec. 6, 2012, after several years of declining health. He was born in Bartlesville, Okla., July 12, 1924 , the only child of Leroy Vandegrift and Zella Marie Downey. He was educated in the Roman Catholic and public schools of Bartlesville, graduating in 1942. He attended NYA Radio School and in 1943 joined the Army and served in the Pacific as a high-speed radio operator in the Signal Corps. After the peace he served with the occupation forces in Kobe, Japan, rebuilding Japan’s communications infrastructure.
On returning to the States he earned his BSEE and MSEE degrees at Oklahoma State University. There he met his future wife, Clara Ann “Claree” Bartlett of Collinsville, Okla. They were married Aug. 4, 1948 and in 1950 Pete began his 36 year career with Boeing in Wichita, Kansas. He retired in 1986 as E/3-E-6 Wiring Design Manager. Their three sons were born in Wichita where he and his sons were active in YMCA Indian Guides and Boy Scouts.
In 1963 the family was transferred to Seattle, settling on Mercer Island. He remained very active, serving as Scoutmaster of Troop 624, Post Advisor of Explorer Post 624 “The Mountain Patrol,” Cascade District Commissioner, and Chief Seattle Council Assistant Commissioner. He received the national Silver Beaver award for service to scouting.
In 1976 Pete and Claree moved to Whidbey Island where for 21 years they enjoyed raising livestock on their five acre “farm.” After selling it for a less strenuous life style, they relocated near Langley. He was an avid genealogist and was past president of the South Whidbey Genealogical Society. He was an active member of St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods Episcopal Church in Freeland, having served as Worship Leader, Vestry member, and Sr. Warden. In his last years he became an Oblate of Tanglewood, a Benedictine monastery in Freeland.
He is survived by his wife Claree, his sons Eric (Debra), Bart (Mauricia), Kirk (Judy) and six grandchildren.
Services at St. Augustine’s will be Tuesday, Jan. 15, beginning at 1 p.m. in the parish hall; a time for fellowship, light refreshment and sharing of memories of Pete’s life. At 2 p.m. the Burial Rite will be in the nave of the church followed by the Committal in the Columbarium. Suggested memorials are Whidbey General Hospital Emergency Services and St. Augustine’s Memorial Fund.
