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.
In Loving Memory of Peter Ellstrom Deuel aka Hannibal Heyes’ Joshua Smith. On the 50th Anniversary of his entry into Eternal Life on December 31, 1971, I STILL mourn his tragic death every December 31 at 1:00 AM PST. His memory will ALWAYS live on in our hearts and souls. Loveya ALWAYS dear friend, and looking forward to meeting you in Heaven. THANK YOU Laura for keeping Pete’s candle burning “For Pete’s Sake”. Hebrews 4:1 Amplified
You touched our souls, Pete. That’s why we remember ……..xx
Remembering you on this day. I was 7 years old when I heard of your passing. It took a while for the news to sink in and to understand that you were no longer here. You were a big part of my childhood, Alias Smith and Jones in the 70s, I never missed an episode. So handsome with a gorgeous smile. I still miss you to this day at 57. You left this world to early.
Remember hearing of Pete’s passing.always remember him. Can’t believe 50years have passed
I join you all tonight. In less than 4 hours, it will be exactly 50 years since Pete died. As I have gotten older, I see more and more the talent he had. Everyone who acted with him was greatly impressed. Ben Murphy said in his whole career, never did he ever experience the close partnership he had with Pete Duel. How I would have liked his death never to have happened.
“Alias Smith and Jones” meant a lot to me. Out of my whole week, that one hour long show was the only thing I enjoyed. It was the only thing I looked forward to. I remember writing to the local newspaper in protest when they changed the show’s start time from 7:30PM to the new schedule of 8PM to 9PM. You see, my mother would not let us stay up passed 8:30PM on a school night.
On the night they made the time change to 8PM, I watched half the show. Then my mom came down and said I had to turn off the TV. I was so upset, I shook uncontrollably, yelled, cried and had a major anxiety attack. I could hardly catch my breath. I told my mom just how much that show meant to me. I was so distressed, my mother withdrew her bedtime rule for that one night of the week. On that first night, however, I was so emotionally and physically exhausted, I couldn’t finish watching the show.
I share this with you, because Pete meant a lot to all of us. This is a group that understands that.
God Bless you Pete Duel. Thank you for the joy you gave so many. May you find the peace that passes all understanding.