Peter Robert DeHaas' Obituary
Peter Robert DeHaas passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on March 14, 2026, in Bountiful, Utah.
Pete was born on November 12, 1940, in the Bronx, New York, to Peter and Jean DeHaas. His early years eventually brought him to Memphis, TN where he attended Memphis Catholic High School and graduated in 1958. Later, his family moved to Boulder, CO, where he attended Regis College in Denver before answering the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Navy in October 1961. During his time in the Navy, he was present during the Cuban Missile Crisis, an experience that left a lasting impression and helped shape his lifelong sense of duty and perspective.
After completing his military service, Pete settled in Fresno, CA, where he earned a degree in Marketing from Fresno State University. While in college, he was an active member of the Pi Sigma Epsilon fraternity. It was also during this time that he met his then wife, Gloria. Together they built a life and raised two children, Michael and Stephanie.
Pete was never afraid of hard work. While attending college, he supported himself through a variety of jobs, including working as a bartender, while also working at Juvenile Hall, and in the County Assessor’s office. He later began his career as a real estate broker in Clovis, CA.
In the early 1980s, Pete moved to the Seattle area, where he worked for Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) and later owned and operated service stations in Blaine, WA. Eventually, he returned to his real estate roots, starting an appraisal company in the Bellingham, WA area for more than 20 years. He loved the Pacific Northwest and the community and life he built there.
After retiring, Pete moved to the Salt Lake City area to be closer to family. To stay busy, he drove a school bus, a role that suited him well. He enjoyed interacting with the children, giving fist bumps with the kids as they got on the bus each day.
Pete is survived by his sister, Jean Conley of Granite Bay, CA; his son, Peter “Michael” DeHaas (Marci) of Clovis, CA; his daughter, Stephanie Hale (Ken) of Redmond, WA; and his four grandchildren, Kyler, Kailey, Kynna, and Kenli, who brought him great pride and joy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Jean DeHaas, and his sister, Joyce Phillips all from Olive Branch, MS.
Pete will be remembered for having 9 lives as he fought valiantly to recover from cancer several times, a quick sense of humor and an outgoing personality. Above all, he valued his family and took pride in the life he built and the people he loved.
Though he is gone, the lessons he taught, the stories he shared, and the memories he leaves behind will remain with those who knew and loved him.
The family asks that any donations be made in his memory to:
The American Cancer Society at https://Cancer.org
or
The Alzheimer’s Association at https://donorservices.alz.org
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