hello,

My names Bella, I’m Johan’s long term partner and I’m writing this on behalf of Pete’s family he leaves behind: his son Johan, daughter Celeste, ex wife & the mother of his children Susan, and myself included as he asked me very tenderly a few years ago if he can be a father figure to me in this life.

As a lot of you may know pete can’t be here with us anymore.

He would be so frustrated and disappointed because he has so much planned, and so much to do on the ranch. He was always busy and productive. Almost too productive…

We always told him to relax a little bit, he deserves it plus he is semi retired.

He was just starting to open up to that idea (annual birthday trips to Hawaii).

He would be even more disappointed when he realized it fell on his son’s birthday and how much that is crushing both him and his sister.

Pete is and was loved more than I can describe, if you knew him you liked him at the very least. You could be the cashier at Safeway, the lady at the bank, the server at a restaurant, a person crossing him on the street and he would still find a way to make you smile, wether it be a small compliment or even a joke.

He is lighthearted, he is outgoing, he is understanding, he is the most genuine, he is generous, he doesn’t judge you, he wants the best for everyone, he is compassionate and competitive, he is creative, he is forgiving, he is talented, he is stubborn and strong, and most of all he is brave.

I think I speak for all of us when I say there is no “fill-in” for the place he holds in my heart, wrapping birthday gifts with Christmas wrapping paper from 20+ years ago and then putting something extra heavy in there just to throw you off..having dinners carefully planned out each and every night like clock work, trying to sneak and cheat at člověče nezlob se (person don’t get mad), shutting off every light in the house you aren’t using to save energy, talking to every animal he owns like a friend & taking the most incredible care of them, documenting everything through photos..he was THAT dad that said “hey, wait let me take a photo”.. It’s an absolute steal to take away such a bright light in this life and cut him short. He deserves so much better and so much more life and happiness.

He killed rattlesnakes left and right, I remember one time he sent me a video of him doing it to show me how it’s done and I remember getting angry and begging him to be more careful and use both hands and focus, because they are deadly and it scared me. He apologized and agreed and never did it again.

This time was different he got bit late at night and they couldn’t make it to him in time to sum it up short.

I can only hope he is at peace and with his mother and father, his best friend Johan(from Czech) and his best friend Doug, Paul, and maybe his dog Sophie who recently passed and I hope he is looking back and realizing just how many people truly cared and just adored who he was as a person.

And if you can read this: Dear Pete, you are one of one, you are the rarest. Your voice, cooking, smile, advice and laugh will be missed more than I can express.

I am starting a go fund me to pay for some things that no one can predict or prepare themselves for. To pay for mortuary services, to pay for burial, to pay for the venue for celebration of life and for the tri-tip and beans he wishes to be served to everyone. Anything you can donate is greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Love and appreciation from: Johan, Celeste, Susan, and Bella.