| Sources |
- [S888] Social Security Death Index 1935 - Current, (www.ancestry.com).
Name: Peter Zander
Last Residence: 94589 Vallejo, Solano, California
Born: 18 Dec 1929
Last Benefit: 94589 Vallejo, Solano, California
Died: 26 Aug 2010
State (Year) SSN issued: California (Before 1951)
- [S927] Obituary.
Dec. 18, 1929 - Aug. 26, 2010
Pete Zander passed away
Aug. 26, 2010 at the age of 80 after a courageous battle against lung cancer. His family will miss him dearly, but he will live forever in their hearts and memories.
He spent his remaining months as he always did - surrounded by his loving family including four grandchildren and one great-grandson. Pete is survived by his wonderful wife and partner in life, Norma Zander; son, Richard Zander (Brenda); daughter, Linda Smith (Bill); four grandchildren, Marie Bailey (John),
Niki Smith, Peter Zander and William Zander; a great-grandson, John L Bailey; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by his mother, Clara Zander; brother, Tom Zander (Kathy); and sister, Evalina Moniz (Bob - retired Vallejo firefighter). His father, George Zander (retired Vallejo firefighter); sister, Dolores Zander; and brother, Adam Zander, preceded him in death.
Pete was born Dec. 18, 1929 in St. Anthony, N.D., and moved to Vallejo with his family in 1939 towards the end of the Great Depression. He attended Vallejo Senior High School where he was a star football and baseball athlete earning the nickname "Alley Oop." Before and after school he also worked for the Vallejo Times-Herald as a paperboy and switchboard operator.
While sports were a passion of Pete's, Norma was unequivocally the love of his life. They met in 1947 when Pete moved across the street from Norma. Shortly thereafter, they began dating and married on Feb. 26, 1950. Norma still has the gold bracelet Pete gave her on her 16th birthday.
Pete excelled in all sports but primarily football, where he played both offense and defense. A local business owner offered Pete a scholarship to play football at junior college but Pete declined the offer because he wanted to become a police officer for the Vallejo Police Department.
As soon as Pete turned 21, he quit his job at People's Ice and Fuel, took a big pay cut, and joined the Vallejo Police Department. Pete was anxious to begin his new career as a police officer. Even though his uniform wasn't ready for his first night as a police officer, he strapped on his gun, pinned his badge on his civilian clothes and patrolled lower Georgia Street. This was his first beat as an officer and he worked this area numerous times throughout his career.
As the Vallejo Police Officer's Association President, Pete was instrumental in providing many benefits and privileges that Vallejo police officers enjoy today. He successfully negotiated contract modifications that allowed Vallejo police officers the flexibility of living outside Vallejo city limits. One of Pete's greatest accomplishments as Association President was the implementation of CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) retirement benefits for the officers. He also helped secure binding arbitration for the department, which was a landmark contract. He proudly served the city of Vallejo until he retired from the Vallejo Police Department in 1978.
Pete was active in the National Guard from 1949-1969, and retired as 1st Sergeant. When he became 1st Sergeant, he was the youngest 1st Sergeant in California. As part of his National Guard duties, Pete was activated to the Watts riots in 1965.
Being born in North Dakota, Pete was a country boy at heart. Since Norma refused to move back to North Dakota, Pete brought the country to their life in Vallejo. In 1968 they started their own business, Pete's Feed, which sells horse feed and supplies to racehorses. They've sold at many of the California county fairs, Golden Gate Fields and the now defunct Bay Meadows Racetrack.
Pete and Norma owned several racehorses throughout the years. While it was more of an expensive hobby than a moneymaker, Pete thoroughly loved and enjoyed his horses. If he wasn't home in the afternoon, he could be found feeding his horses.
While Pete loved being a police officer and his horses, there was nothing that he loved more than his family. He and his family would travel two or three times a year to Reno to participate in slot tournaments. He also enjoyed watching sports on television (especially the 49ers) and getting together for family dinners and barbeques.
Visitation will be held 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at Twin Chapels Mortuary, 1100 Tennessee St., Vallejo, with funeral services being held 11 a.m. Tuesday also at Twin Chapels Mortuary. Burial will follow at Skyview Memorial Lawn, Vallejo.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Kaiser Vallejo Hospice.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.timesheraldonline.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Twin Chapels Mortuary, (707) 552-6696.
Published in TimesHeraldOnline on August 29, 2010
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1929 - 2010 (80 years)