REMEMBERING PETE DUEL
Thank you to everyone who leaves such poignant and heartfelt expressions in The Memorial Book—and for all your kind words about this site. Your kinship is extremely appreciated. —Laura
Please post your thoughts below. The previous Memorial Book was receiving too much spam, so I had to close it and start this page instead. The previous memorial page also had hundreds of remembrances. I hope to someday transfer them here.
There may be a delay between when you leave your thoughts below and when your post appears, but rest assured, the post will eventually be published. Please keep in mind that many questions still remain about Peter’s state of mind in those final days of his life. One recent question is how much of a role the anti-seizure drug, Dilantin, played on his thoughts. Perhaps Pete was a victim of a pharmaceutical drug and not so much of self-inflicted depression. Also note that Geoffrey Deuel sometimes visited this page. Thank you.
Dear Helen,
Thank you for posting your sonnet on the Book and sharing it with Peter’s fans.
The sonnet is beautiful, touching and obviously penned with much affection for Peter; it brought tears to my eyes.
Peter is always loved and sorely missed.
Vicki
A Gentle Soul
The glass within the picture frame protects your dimpled face
Yet, somehow it has found a home within our beating space
I am one of many who miss you still today
Your unpretentious smile, your unassuming way
I pray for you, your family – the many friends you made
Your caring, gentle nature will truly never fade
Heaven gained in splendor – the moment you arrived
But, we so deeply, deeply wish – you had somehow survived
By shining light on issues that needed desperate change
You fostered renewed commitment that spanned a wider range
We’ll honor your convictions – protect what you held dear
Respect the Earth – all creatures – truths we all must hear
There are no tears in Heaven – the Good Book tells us so
Of your deep, eternal worth – you now, at last, do know…
Helen C. Spillane
May 27th, 2016
This sonnet is dedicated to Pete Duel. Thank you for blessing us with your gentle, altruistic soul.
I remember being really anxious to watch his show every week like it was a contemporary addiction of something unnameable.
I was a child when I thought I fell in love with him but he was a face to my eyes and a love in my heart that I’d rather leave alone. I was totally devastated when I heard he’d died.
It didn’t matter how or why only that he was gone for ever. And I felt I’d never be the same again. I wasn’t either. His death left me numb for years , seeming so pointless to having happened at all. I lived in a fog just shuffling through days that turned to years. There seemed to be no help for me as I’m sure he felt no help coming to himself either, if indeed he saw he might need it.
I’m a stranger to him and he, me but television joined us all to a man who should’ve lived much longer and a talent than transcended all he left behind.
I’m 58 now and sweethearts have come and gone. Many painful things have been lived through by me but none were as mind bending and heartbreaking as his prematurely giving up on hope. I took it very personally, but I’ve never stopped remembering him and will take his memory to my grave.
Thank you for your reply I don’t think us fans of pete will ever find anyone who can match pete in enyway is was and still is simply the best from suexx
Thank you, Susan. I couldn’t agree more. No one compares to gorgeous Pete. He had it all. The more I’ve read now about the effects of Dilantin, I can’t help but wonder how much it played a role in his severe depression and suicide. If only we could turn back the hands of time…