Just learned that Peter Crank, known to his friends at TTR as "Pedro", has died. We shared TTR with Pedro in October 2008, as well as at least one other visit. Pedro visited TTR for quite lengthy stays. I remember him saying during the Oct. 2008 trip that he might have to cut the visit short because of the turmoil in the stock market. Pedro was as interested in ladies as any of the men there, but he was always a gentleman; never saw or heard of him doing anything in the least inappropriate. A very nice man. Very sorry to hear this news. We'll miss seeing and chatting with him. Obit. below copied from the online Argonaut newspaper. Peter Crank, longtime Marina del Rey resident and racing yacht crew member, dies (Created: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 4:45 PM PDT) Marina del Rey resident Peter Crank died April 11 at Marina Del Rey Hospital from an infection resulting from lymphoma. He was 64. Known throughout the Marina as “Cranky”, because of his initial demeanor, Crank was an experienced crew member on large racing yachts, a winner of Wooden Hull regattas in the Marina and an activist on Marina affairs, friends said. Born in England, Crank earned a masters degree in mathematics on a scholarship to the prestigious Cambridge University. He was a classically trained pianist who promptly became a “roadie,” touring Britain with various rock bands, friends said. Crank came to the United States, settling in Marina del Rey in 1980. He held executive computer management positions, first with IBM and then ARCO, and he later became a successful day trader. Crank developed a friendly relationship with David Asper Johnson, founder of The Argonaut, who would publish Crank's quixotic letters in the newspaper and wryly refer in his column to Peter's last name. While living on Fiji Way, Crank became vocally active on preventing a developer from cutting down trees that were a sanctuary for ospreys. He sailed a wooden boat, Scotch Mist to victory in Wooden Hull regattas and Single Mariner races. Crank would spend winters at resorts in Cancun that fulfilled three criteria: sail boats on the beach, salsa classes and free beer, friends said. He ended his days in a rented apartment, overlooking the water, on Palawan Way, day trading on a computer. Said one of his sailing buddies, John South: “Peter always believed in the old English adage ‘A beer a day keeps the doctor away' and he practiced it faithfully to the end. “Despite his nickname, he was actually a warm and caring person, who would do anything for a friend. Life in the Marina will be a lot less colorful without him.” RIP Pedro; we'll miss you.
Remember him well. Went on a couple of so called power walks on the beach with him and Chinos and others. did not know all those facts about him but enough to know that he led an interesting life. Thanks Steve for posting. Small world. TTR info gets around.
rip I also had the pleasure of meeting pedro on quite a few visits, shared a lunch table once or twice and have had many a friendly beer with him xx he will be missed xx:daveandmo:
He was the first person I ever talked to at TTR when I first went there. Meet him 2 times and he was a great guy and always friendly. RIP
