Born on January 14, 1952, in Chicago Heights, Illinois, to Arthur Robert Tobey and Marta Harper Tobey, Peter spent his formative years growing up in the vibrant Bay Area of California. He later moved to Boring, Oregon where he raised his family, before moving to the Rogue Valley about ten years ago.
While he made a career of computer programming, Peter was a brilliant and multifaceted individual. His true passions resided in the realm of artistic expression. An inventor and kinetic sculptor, he possessed a rich imagination and brought his creativity to life through his unique works. He had an ear for music, dabbling in clarinet, harmonica, piano, and electric bass, and enthusiastically attending live music performances. In recent years, Peter embraced a meditation practice and enjoyed singing for and with his meditation community.
Although his highest level of education was a handful of classes at Foothill College in California, he was a self-educated lifelong learner. He could easily engage in conversation on a vast array of subjects – from organic chemistry to current politics, from the mysteries of quantum physics to the philosophies of mysticism, and from the marvels of engineering to the intricacies of the human condition. He possessed a childlike sense of wonder and curiosity for the world, a quality that remained with him throughout his life.
A proud and devoted father, he is survived by his children Elizabeth Tobey (she/her) and Boots Tobey (they/them), as well as his loving partner Janice O’Connor, his sisters Marta Tobey and Caroline (CJ) Zaworski, and his former wife Terry Tobey.
Peter was laid to rest at The Forest Burial Ground at Willow Witt on Monday, May 20th. This location held special significance for Peter; he loved to visit the ranch, often walking from his nearby property on Shale City Road. And it was at a concert at Willow Witt that Peter met his partner, Janice. The natural burial process will allow his body to become part of this special place.
Peter's brilliance, quirkiness, humor, kind heart and infectious smile will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
If you’d like to make a contribution in his memory please support a local artist, musician, or farmer in your community, or make a donation to an environmental conservation organization.
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