Peter Muiruri Kamau

Treasured in our heart youll stay, until we meet again someday. Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. text-align: right; align=right Denis Waitley text-indent: 0.5in1.5in 22pt Peter Muiruri Kamau 1.5in 9.5pt Sunrise - June 10, 1937 Kanyariri Kikuyu, Kenya Sunset - February 5, 2013 Seattle, Washington 9.5pt INTRODUCTION 9.5pt Shakespeare once said, We know what we are, but know not what we may be. 9.5pt If that is true, then Peter Kamau made a great life journey for himself whereby he was continuously evolving, discovering his interests and himself by uniquely connecting with others. From the red-soil farmlands of Kenya to beautiful Pacific NW, Peters life was immensely filled with education, music, dance, laughter, languages, culture, multicultural celebrations and foods shared with friends from around the world. 9.5pt EARLY LIFE 9.5pt Peter Muiruri Kamau was born to Simon Njorge and Gladys Njeri in Kihingo Kanyariri in Kenya. He was the first-born child of eight children Joshua Kihara, Wanjiku Nyamu, Margaret Wanyora, Isabella Njeri, Stanley Kinyua, Ezekiel Njuguna and Nancy Wangari. Preceeded in death by Margaret Wanyora, Isabella Njeri, and Stanley Kinyua. He grew up in a small Kenyan farm village, healthy, curious and very good with completing his chores. He attended Kanyariri Primary through Standard 6, Kabete Intermediate for Standard 7-8 and then completed his High School and College at St. Marys College in Kisubi, Uganda. Following completion of his studies in Uganda, he was employed by Kenya Railways from 1958-1960. In 1960, he was awarded a full-scholarship for further studies in the United States.EDUCATION 9.5pt An avid reader with a thirst for knowledge, education was something Peter greatly valued as he realized it would not only give him the opportunity to discover his interests but also enrich his career development. Peter graduated in 1964 from Yankton College in South Dakota with a B.A. in Economics/History and also from the University of Oregon in 1968 with a B.Sc. in Political Science/Public Administration. Throughout his lifetime, he continued to be a student of life by pursuing multiple Certificate programs in the following fields: Medical Administration, Human Relations, Life Insurance, Real Estate and Interpreter Services. In addition to his social charm and charismatic personality, he learned to speak over six languages and tid bits of languages from around the world. Throughout his life he kept up on politics, world affairs, Kenyan news and politics and infinite subjects of interest. 9.5pt CAREER(s) 9.5pt Peter was a man of many hats literally and figuratively. With such a diverse educational background combined with such a colorful personality, he maintained various careers over the years. His various professions included: Teaching French, Swahili, and Linguistics at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.Canada, where he also founded the International Students Club which helped international students acculturate into the country. When he moved to Seattle, his occupations included: Accounting, Real Estate, Insurance, Medical Administration, Sales, East African Arts and Crafts, and Swahili/Kikuyu Interpretation for court cases.9.5pt MARRIAGE AND FAMILY 9.5pt In 1975 Peter met June at a dance and after a 4 year courtship they were married in September 15, 1979. They were happily married for over 33 years. Peter leaves behind his wife June, two daughters Meredith Njeri Macharia and Jennifer Jennie Kamau, 4 siblings and countless nieces, nephews and cousins. Aside from his immediate family, he was well connected and very dedicated to his Kenyan community family, his Canadian family, his church family and his family in Kenya. 9.5pt HOBBIES AND SERVICEPeter loved and appreciated music from all genres including Kenyan and East African. He has a vast collection of Kenyan/East African music and whenever he had the chance, hed dance to it and essentially share his joy of music with others. He especially enjoyed playing his favorite music in his car he embraced that people could hear his music for miles. Whenever there were Kenyan/African cultural events, Peter would reside on the dance floor for the majority of the time. His signature moves reflected his enthusiasm for dance, his humor and zest for life. If the beat was just right, one of his signature dance moves was shakin his right shoulder vigorously while making expressions of immeasurable delight! Such a site to witness, with such exuberant humor and so much joy!Health and Wellness was something Peter was very passionate about. He loved nature and the outdoors. As a fitness enthusiast, he loved to exercise taking long walks around Greenlake, exploring local parks or working out at the 24 hour fitness gym. He enjoyed swimming, biking, soaking in the hot tub and relaxing in the sauna or steam room. It shouldnt surprise anyone that Peter made many friends while at the gym and as a result, as a group of men, they would discuss politics, world affairs and attempt to solve problems of the world. In addition to being health conscious and mindful about nutrition and exercise, he carefully studied natural remedies which would improve his health or aid with prevention which he shared with others for their benefit too. For example, he carefully researched The China Study, natural herbs, and health resources from the Mayo Clinic. Although he had a international palate and maintained a healthy diet, his most favorite dishes included the following Kenyan dishes: Nyama choma (roasted meat), Chapati, Mukimo, Ugali, and Ngwaci (sweet potatoes). Peter was a huge fan of National Geographic, Animal Planet, and The Discovery Channel he had a strong appreciation for animals in their natural habitat much of which was filmed in East Africas Serengeti (his homelands). Another animal which Peter coveted was the Oregon Duck! He was an avid sports enthusiast especially when it came to supporting his alma mater the Oregon Ducks! You may have often seen Peter wearing his University of Oregon hat, sweatpants, shirts etc. His favorite sports included: Basketball, American Football, Tennis, Soccer, and Track and Field (especially the Kenyan runners).Peter enjoyed connecting with people. He loved to talk and laugh with others, was always up for a good debate/discussion on any subject from politics, religion, world affairs, geography, health and fitness and language. Whenever he would meet someone for the first-time, he would inquire where they were from. Whatever the response, Peter would find a humorous or insightful way to connect with them making new friends quite easily. For example, Peter would ask Where are you from? Respondent: Indonesia Peter would respond I am from Jakarta and then would proceed to say a few words in their language which usually completely surprised them. That was Peters way of sharing that we are all one family, connecting with others through love was his universal language. He cared deeply about the people he came to know and loved to visit with them taking the time to learn about them and their lifes journey. Peter thoroughly enjoyed children, people from all walks of life and also his family in Kenya. He sponsored two of his nephews and assisted them with their assimilation to Seattle. 9.5pt In addition, Peter was very active within the NW Kenyan community from Portland to Seattle.9.5pt Peter was very devoted to the St. Thomas More Parish. His faith was an important part of his life. He loved and adored his diverse church family and especially appreciated the sense of community. He was confirmed in 2010 and embraced his Catholic faith with love and passion.9.5pt SUMMATION 9.5pt Peter Kamau was a remarkably fun-loving, high-spirited person. He was a person of great integrity, devotion, love, compassion, service and especially humor. Above all, Peter believed in family, faith, hard work, independence, community, and compassion. His lifes journey is represented in this expression: Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail 9.5pt Those are words of wisdom that we will always cherish as his legacy. text-align: centeralign=center 9.5pt Here we dance, laugh, we walk not alone text-align: centeralign=center 9.5pt Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall text-align: centeralign=center 9.5pt Never far, your music, spirit, youre always home text-align: centeralign=center 9.5pt In our hearts, in our souls and all text-align: centeralign=center 9.5pt The sun, the rain, seeds planted text-align: centeralign=center 9.5pt Look beyond the horizon, over the waves and mountain trees text-align: centeralign=center 9.5pt Your legacy, inspiring, never taken for granted text-align: centeralign=center 9.5pt Together forever, empowered and free 9.5pt We are thankful for the outpouring of love and support from family (Canadian, American & Kenyan), friends, Peters long-time Family Doctor Dr. Linda Clark for 28 yrs of devoted, compassionate care, the Kenyan community locally and abroad and the St Thomas More Parish. We especially appreciate and thank those who traveled far to attend the funeral, including Junes sister Lois (from Mazatlan, Mexico), sister Brenda & her husband Frank, nieces Christine, Jenny, Danielle & Vicky, along with many other family and friends who traveled from various parts of British Columbia, Kenya and the East Coast. 9.5pt When Peter first arrived in America as a young student on a full scholarship, he landed in New York City, got lost and called the Kenya Consulate for assistance. They asked where he was and said Dont move. Of course if he had GPS then it wouldnt have been a problem. He thought GPS was the greatest thing and used it frequently to help navigate when June & Peter moved from Seattle to Lynnwood in May 2009. He loved to hear the words You have arrived when he had successfully found his way back home. Peter no longer needs his GPS as God is now saying to Peter You have arrived. Welcome Home. Karibu Nyumbani.9.5pt We were truly blessed to have Peter in our lives and he will live on deep in our hearts and memories forever. May God welcome you into his heavenly kingdom and keep you in his loving care forever until we meet again. Announcement: 9.5pt In lieu of flowers, in memory of Peter M. Kamau, the family is requesting that donations be made out to: Research Dept of Neurology, Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 13400 East Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259