Obituary of Peter M. Douglass

Peter M. Douglass

Peter Douglass, 82, of Wolcott, New York passed away peacefully at home on December 9, 2024 after a long battle with cancer complicated by dementia.

Pete was born on February 22, 1942 to Ruth and Mack Douglass in Auburn, New York.  After graduating from Leavenworth High School in 1960, he went on to study Geology and earned his bachelor’s degree at Antioch University (1965), with subsequent Masters Degrees from both Pennsylvania State University (1968) and University of Illinois (1975).

After graduating from Penn State he started his career as a Geotechnical Engineer with Shannon and Wilson in Seattle Washington, specializing in tunnels and underground construction. A decade later he became the Vice President and Senior Principal Engineer for Hart Crowser. In the early 90s, Pete began his own business as an Independent Geotechnical Consultant. 

Being in the field was Pete's favorite aspect of the job. Early in his career he was excited to be involved in geological survey work on Mt. Saint Helens before it erupted in 1980. This work helped develop more accurate ways to predict and respond to volcanic eruptions and was so dangerous that those scientists and geologists were later dubbed 'Volcano Cowboys'. Pete so loved these unusual opportunities, that when the University of Illinois offered him a PhD for his Masters thesis, he turned it down, not wanting to over-credential himself into losing access to the 'on-site' aspects of his work. 

Pete's decades of dedicated involvement in every aspect of tunneling projects, from feasibility/design through construction, grew him into an expert of his craft, sought after by both owners and contractors trying to navigate construction disputes. This expertise made him particularly suited for participation in developing the improved contracting practices implemented by Disputes Resolution Boards (DRB). He was especially proud of his involvement in this unique approach to solving unexpected issues and how effectively it supported the timely construction of such massive projects. Throughout his private career, he served on the DRBs of over 25 projects, totaling 5 billion dollars, with often 10s of millions at stake, and nearly all resolved without litigation. In his last major project, Pete was involved in the development of the State Route 99 tunnel (Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement) which, at its completion in 2019, was the largest tunnel in the world traveling directly underneath downtown Seattle. For over 50 years, Pete had responsible involvement in tunnel and underground projects throughout the U.S. and abroad.

His work as a Geotechnical Engineer was his true passion in life. The happiness he gained from this life path imbued his most insistent life-advice to his children:  "When you love what you do, you'll be good at it. If you're good at what you do, you can make the money you need - it doesn't take much of a niche to be OK. Resist making that choice primarily for money; ultimately it will never make you happy. Life is too short to spend half of it doing what you don't love." 

His family meant more to him than anything else in the world.  His brother Mike was his best friend. The two of them were known for their shenanigans and practical jokes. Pete relied on his brother for advice and support throughout his life. He often mentioned how lucky he was to have such a good brother and friend.  He was 'Papa' to his granddaughter Sierra, who adored him and he loved her utterly. His silly ways and love of a goofy grin during photos lives on in her.

Romantically Pete's life held twists and turns - complicated perhaps, but full of love. He met and married his first wife, Dorothy, at Antioch, where they had his first daughter, Jamie, but parted ways during their time at Penn State. After moving to Seattle, work friends introduced him to Lola Cosner, the vivacious and creative mother of daughters Jenny and Cassidy. They enjoyed a menagerie of animals, road trip adventures, and renovating their new home. Pete loved a do-it-yourself house project!! He even invented an ambitious 200ft long, 30ft tall retaining wall along a highway to extend their yard (still standing after 40 years) whose design was adopted by Seattle's highway department. After the death of his wife Lola in 1989 he raised his girls on his own.  He was a devoted father that always provided a loving and caring environment with unending support. 

In 1993, after a brief courtship, Pete married Christie, merging her 3 children- Keri, Tina, and Jamie ("the boy")- with his own, creating a household of 5 teenagers....never an easy feat, but lots of fun was had along the way. He loved these kids as his own and considered them his children even after this marriage ended. 

After a lifetime as a devoted Seattleite, in 2016 Pete relocated to his childhood home of Wolcott, NY; he missed his brother and thought he might enjoy the familiar faces and small-town life of his youth. In 2019 Pete found his childhood friend Pat Drury and they married in 2020. The two were inseparable; they had an unconditional love and truly cared for one another.  Pete and Pat enjoyed long drives together and going dancing on Friday nights. 
 

Pete loved to be on the water.  He spent a lot of time boating and fishing in the Pacific Northwest.  In his youth he played soccer and was also great at billiards and bowling. After his return to Wolcott he was a proud member of the Elks. He always enjoyed being around friends and family. Pete was quick to laugh and always made sure you knew you were loved. He will be dearly missed.

Peter was predeceased by his sister Judy Pearson.

He is survived by his wife Nina “Pat” (Drury), three daughters Jamie Douglass, Jennifer (Steban) Waller, and Cassidy (Kenya Tilman) Douglass;  brother Michael (Linda) Douglass; granddaughter Sierra Waller; niece Michelle Pellicano, nephew Matt Douglass; niece Jody Zbinden, niece Pam Lewis; Pat Douglass’ children: Lynn M Beames, Cindy Bensalama, Jeffrey T Gould, Nathan Lang, Stephen Lang, Mark Gould, and Jordan Lang; previous marriage Christie (Johannessen) Douglass’ children, Keri Johannessen, Tina Johannessen, and Jamie Johannessen. .

There will be a Celebration of Life at the Wolcott Elks lodge in July 2025 - date and time to follow.