I am so sorry to hear of Pete's passing. We were best friends at City and roommates our Freshman year at UTK. We lost track of each other after college. We spent many hours playing tennis together in Jr. High and High School. We had some wonderful hiking, biking and canoe trips in the mountains with Mark Russell.
So sorry to hear of Peter's passing. He and I enjoyed whitewater canoeing and we even managed to get first place on the 4th of July race down the Nantahala. I enjoyed many fun camping and canoeing trips with Peter and Mort Averett.
I too am saddened by this news. Ironically, I had a dream about Pete just a few months ago; we were back playing our clarinets in the band. After reading his obit, I see that Pete made a good life for himself and enjoyed life to the fullest. Maybe my hubby and I even passed him on Lake Lanier without realizing it! Peace to all.
I am saddened to learn of Pete's passing. Pete and I were good friends early at CHS and played in the Band together for our Sophmore year. He loved his clarinet, and we hurt a lot of my neighbor's ears trying to mix his clarinet notes with my cornet whines when he could come up and spend the night with me! I lost touch with Pete after CHS, but am thankful to learn (from mort averitt's comments) that he was as successful as he was in life. Pete had an engaging personality; I had no idea he was as smart as he turned out to be, but it doesn't surprise me in the least. Thank you for the fun times we had, Pete, and for simply being my friend. Rest easy. I will see you again, soon enough.
I'm very sorry to hear about losing Pete. He had to have been one of the kindest people I ever knew. My most vivid recollection is of him in band, chuffing away on a bass clarinet. It's a pretty temperamental instrument, but determination to tame it showed in him from head to toe. I didn't know him past City, so I'm thankful to Mort for the heads-up and the obit, and to all of you for sharing your remembrances in this virtual, even if sad, reunion.
My memories of Pete started when he moved to Chattanooga. He and I met in elementary school... Normal Park. Pete live a block or so from my grandparents in Riverview which meant I had someone to play with after school. My first memory was that he was a very good roller skater. He trained and competed. In all the skating party races and games no one stood a chance. Our summers were spent at the Riverview park taking tennis lessons and hitting for hours. His family always enjoyed canoeing and white water sports on the weekends. In high school our interests didn’t allow as much time to be spent together. But we did have several fun and interested camping trips!!! Remember, Mort? When Mort, Pete and I headed to UT, I remember many times riding up to and back from Knoxville in a VW Bug along with Mort’s sister. The boys didn’t have cars for the first semester. After that, I lost track of everyone since I came back to Chattanooga to go to school, marry, and raise a family. I am sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. It was interesting to read his bio... and a little surprising is how many similarities are in our resumes. Pete, rest in Peace!
Mort Averett (1971)
I am so sorry to hear of Pete's passing. We were best friends at City and roommates our Freshman year at UTK. We lost track of each other after college. We spent many hours playing tennis together in Jr. High and High School. We had some wonderful hiking, biking and canoe trips in the mountains with Mark Russell.
Mark Russell (1971)
So sorry to hear of Peter's passing. He and I enjoyed whitewater canoeing and we even managed to get first place on the 4th of July race down the Nantahala. I enjoyed many fun camping and canoeing trips with Peter and Mort Averett.
Mort Averett (1971)
For those that are interested, I did find an obituary for Pete from the funeral home. He passed in October, 2017. Here is the link to the article: http://integrityfuneral.memories/3205433/Ryther-Peter/obituary.php
I know he will be missed.
Elaine Sharp (Mason) (1971)
I too am saddened by this news. Ironically, I had a dream about Pete just a few months ago; we were back playing our clarinets in the band. After reading his obit, I see that Pete made a good life for himself and enjoyed life to the fullest. Maybe my hubby and I even passed him on Lake Lanier without realizing it! Peace to all.
Ike Adams (1971)
I am saddened to learn of Pete's passing. Pete and I were good friends early at CHS and played in the Band together for our Sophmore year. He loved his clarinet, and we hurt a lot of my neighbor's ears trying to mix his clarinet notes with my cornet whines when he could come up and spend the night with me! I lost touch with Pete after CHS, but am thankful to learn (from mort averitt's comments) that he was as successful as he was in life. Pete had an engaging personality; I had no idea he was as smart as he turned out to be, but it doesn't surprise me in the least. Thank you for the fun times we had, Pete, and for simply being my friend. Rest easy. I will see you again, soon enough.
Jud Barry (1971)
I'm very sorry to hear about losing Pete. He had to have been one of the kindest people I ever knew. My most vivid recollection is of him in band, chuffing away on a bass clarinet. It's a pretty temperamental instrument, but determination to tame it showed in him from head to toe. I didn't know him past City, so I'm thankful to Mort for the heads-up and the obit, and to all of you for sharing your remembrances in this virtual, even if sad, reunion.
John Gager (1971)
My memories of Pete started when he moved to Chattanooga. He and I met in elementary school... Normal Park. Pete live a block or so from my grandparents in Riverview which meant I had someone to play with after school. My first memory was that he was a very good roller skater. He trained and competed. In all the skating party races and games no one stood a chance. Our summers were spent at the Riverview park taking tennis lessons and hitting for hours. His family always enjoyed canoeing and white water sports on the weekends. In high school our interests didn’t allow as much time to be spent together. But we did have several fun and interested camping trips!!! Remember, Mort? When Mort, Pete and I headed to UT, I remember many times riding up to and back from Knoxville in a VW Bug along with Mort’s sister. The boys didn’t have cars for the first semester. After that, I lost track of everyone since I came back to Chattanooga to go to school, marry, and raise a family. I am sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. It was interesting to read his bio... and a little surprising is how many similarities are in our resumes. Pete, rest in Peace!