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.
Philip, It is lovely to hear your comments about Pete, but if you are thinking he was in the episode showing Joshua Smith learning poetry in order to make someone fall in love with him so that he could use her to save The Kid, then I’m afraid you are mistaken. This story was in Season 3 after Pete’s death. The episode was “The Ten Days That Shook Kid Curry”. It was Roger Davis playing the part of Hannibal Heyes. Nevertheless your admiration and joy of Pete’s acting is clear from your comments, and yes, we all loved this cheeky chap with a smile that could melt your heart!
Dear Pete and Family…you will always be with us because of your great heart and the love, inspiration and talent you shared with us. I was 11 years old and my sister Holly ( also passed away) was 15 years old. We loved Pete So much – what a fine actor and good human being. God Bless his family…I am sure it is beyond difficult to lose such a one as Pete. What I do know is that after reading about his car accident and resulting head trauma/hip -pelvis trauma and having seizures as a result of his accident…A Huge Number of People with Brain Injuries are suicidal on and off for life ( Myself Included). Many (if not most young men in Petes day) self medicated with a bit of alcohol to soothe the brain/pain which is not something you can understand unless you have had head traumas! I watch his videos on youtube and am so mesmerized. What a tremendous loss. I hope that you know that many people like Pete consider suicide daily because they don’t have the right understanding of what they need to heal their Brains. He did the best he could until he couldn’t any longer. I am So sorry for your loss of such a beautiful brother and friend. Again, God Bless you All.
Reading so many loving comments about Peter Deuel all these years after his death mean so much to me. Pete and I were related (cousins) but unfortunately we saw their family very infrequently. But he has always held a special place in my heart. He accomplished much more than most actors trying to make it in the business and it’s so sad that he didn’t realize it. But I am well aware of how depression and alcohol can distort your thoughts. His death did impact his family in some ways that were positive, which is a blessing. I saw his sister, Pam, about 1 1/2 years ago as well as some of his other extended family. Unfortunately, it was another death in the family bringing us all together. Let us not ever forget Pete.
My sister and I Adored Pete in Alias Smith & Jones. (Myself 10 and she 15 years old.). I have never forgotten him and now reading this story this evening I understand why he chose to end his life in a moment of despair. Something I could not fathom as a young girl because he appeared to be a God who had it all and more heart than most. He was ahead of his time in so many ways. Very sensitive and Kind hearted. You have done a wonderful tribute to him here ! God Bless…..I have had a brain injury also…strangely enough, and so I understand the extreme difficulties that come with that and know how I have also felt like ending it also due to side effects and depression at times.
45 years gone my beautiful man,I would have liked to say time has healed the wounds of you leaving this world but in truth it hasn’t,i miss you even more if that is possible.Peter you are with me every day always will be,you are a joy, through the sadness when you smile on that silver screen my heart sings you truly are very special man,peace ,happiness and ecology now Mr Duel forever loved and never forgotten xxx