Peter (Pete) Drake Pennington

Peter Drake Pennington (Pete), age 40, was born on June 21, 1981 in Goldendale, Washington. He died in Bend, Oregon on June 4, 2022. From a young age Pete loved nature and the great outdoors. Growing up he was active in Boy Scouts. He trained in Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, and became an Eagle Scout while attending high school in Kent, WA. Pete received a liberal arts degree from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. He later earned a master's degree in counseling from OSU Cascades in Bend, OR. Highlights of his career include mentoring at-risk youth in a wilderness program, and building a successful problem gambling recovery program. He was a skilled and compassionate mental health counselor. Pete was incredibly creative, with interests varying from playing and composing music, to wildlife photography, to writing poetry, fiction and nonfiction, to documentary filmmaking. He was constantly pushing himself to learn new skills and take on ambitious projects. An orchestra piece that Pete composed was performed during his commencement ceremony at Grinnell College. Pete traveled the world. He enjoyed yoga, and practiced meditation. He loved kids, and got along well with elders. He was an avid sportsman. Pete kayaked through the Grand Canyon, and was a rock climber. He hiked, biked, backcountry skied, hunted, and fished. He loved camping, and spent many nights under the open skies of Central Oregon. Throughout his life, Pete struggled with his mental health. He continually worked hard to understand and navigate these challenges. As a counselor and educator he dedicated his career to helping others with similar troubles. Pete is survived by his beloved chocolate lab, Anna; his mom and dad, Sue and Paul Pennington; sisters Amy Pennington (Shahrear Navin Rahman) and Laura Pennington (Elliot Stapleton); niece and nephew June and Avery Stapleton; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be deeply missed by those who love him, and his memory will live on in their hearts. A celebration of Pete's life will take place on Friday, September 9, 2022, at 12 Noon at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd, Bend, OR. Memorial donations can be made to NAMI of Central Oregon info@namicentraloregon.org), or a charity of your choice.

Tributes

Peter (Pete) Drake Pennington

June 21, 1981 - June 4, 2022