Peter Henry Zakel

Age 70, died Wednesday, August 27, 2025 in Fremont, California from complications due to stomach cancer. The eldest of three children, Pete was the first American-born child of Henry and Edith Zakel, who emigrated from post-war Europe to New York City, then moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1952. Pete grew up hearing two languages, and German words often peppered his vocabulary early on. Very smart and a voracious reader, Pete loved comic books, science-fiction/fantasy novels, rock-’n’-roll, and the piano.

In high school, he acted (“badly” he said) in several plays; played trumpet and percussion in marching band, symphonic band, and orchestra; and earned “Most Intelligent” yearbook honors his senior year. His early interest in computers — thanks to his high school geometry teacher, Mr. Robert Goubeaux — had Pete spending long hours accessing a distant mainframe with the Wilbur Wright High School computer modem, writing and running programs.

After graduation came classes at Wright State University, but Pete didn’t have the patience for college, despite an IQ of 157 and active membership in Mensa, the famous society for those with IQs in the top 2% of the population. After deciding a four-year degree wasn’t right for him, Pete completed a six-month computer institute. He had no trouble getting hired. After computer work at NCR’s credit union for a few years, he left Ohio in the late 1970s to further his career in the burgeoning computer sciences. (And in part, he admitted, to get as far as continentally possible from his mother.) He found his home in California, first in Long Beach and eventually settling for good in the Silicon Valley.

Success followed quickly, and it was at Century Analysis where Pete met the love of his life, Linda. They started out as friends but their feelings blossomed into love and they were married in 1991.

His love and encyclopedic knowledge of music was wide-ranging and eclectic, including the Beatles, Elton John, Yes, ELP, Leon Russell, Beethoven, P.D.Q. Bach, Weird Al Yankovic, the Who, Olivia Rodrigo and the Grateful Dead, whom he saw more than 100 times. Pete performed recreationally with friends and enthusiasts in groups including the LyraTones, local German clubs, and his church. And music cemented a bond between Linda and Pete as well: They often performed together, Linda singing, Pete on the piano.

A loving and devoted stepfather, Pete was a remarkably kind and dedicated caregiver for his beloved wife Linda. He appreciated the nurturing community he found in church, finding love and support from his many friends and wonderful pastor at First United Methodist Church in Fremont.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Zakel (Ayres) of Fremont; stepdaughter Tammy Pease of Jamestown and stepson Brian Pease (Patricia Euzebio-Pease) of Lodi; sister Lori Zakel (Mark Knowles) of Springfield, Ohio and brother Ken Zakel (Angie DeBrosse) of Kettering, Ohio; and nieces Megan Knowles (Greg Kucukarslan) of Los Angeles and Marissa Knowles (Chance Stidham) of Springfield, Ohio.

A memorial service for friends and family will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at First United Methodist Church, 2950 Washington Blvd., Fremont, California  94539.

Per Pete’s request, his ashes will be scattered in Glen Helen Nature Preserve, Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to Glen Helen, 405 Corry Street, Yellow Springs, OH 45387 (glenhelen.org/give) or Humane Society Silicon Valley, 901 Ames Avenue, Milpitas, CA 95035 (hssv.org/give).