Peter Kleis

Peter Loring Kleis died in a single-car accident in his Tesla near his home in Los Gatos on January 22, 2015. He touched many lives with his positive, adventurous spirit, and infectious smile.

Peter was born in Santa Clara, California on May 4, 1967 and grew up in Cupertino attending Faria and Meyerholz Elementary, Miller Junior High and graduated from Lynbrook High School in 1985. He played water polo and was a High School All American. He earned a degree in Environmental Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara where was also was a brother of Sigma Chi Fraternity and played water polo for the Gauchos. Peter was a graduate from the Owner/President’s Management Program at Harvard University. He began his career as a Commercial Real Estate Broker and grew his business to become President and CEO of Granite Capital Investments, an Investor and Developer of Apartments, Shopping Centers and Renewable Energy projects around the globe.

Peter was very involved with the Los Gatos community. He was a coach with the LG High School girl’s water polo program, coached flag football for 18 seasons, and was a Cub Scout Den Leader for Pack 556. He was a consummate coach to all of his kids, nieces and nephews, and friends whether it was wake boarding, snow skiing, or life coaching. Peter was determined to help his pack succeed to Eagle Scout. He was a Boy Scout Life Scout. He had the most GNAR points of anyone he knew. He was an avid world traveler and even signed off his emails with “Sent via my Samsung Galaxy phone as I run around the World.”

It was described as life with Peter was always an E-Ticket ride! There was never a dull moment. He had an incredibly positive influence on so many people. He was known for his incredible smile, great charm, intelligence, wit, and ready with a huge hug. He had ADD and brilliant in that – an IPad, a cell phone, the case study and his hand up on every topic. Always doing four things at once. He was a vicious competitor – big, strong, and mean. He played to win. He had an agenda for his life and his family… live it full and live it with fun. That he did.

Peter is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer Croll; devoted children Katie, Maddie, and Colin Kleis; stepchildren, Jack and Chloe Croll. He is also survived by his former wife Ruth Kleis, by his brother Robert Kleis of Napa, his sister Nancy Kleis Robinson of Gilroy, and his beloved dog Rookie. He is preceded in death by his parents Norman and Patricia Kleis. Countless family and friends will miss his generous loving spirit. He was bigger than life.

The Peter Kleis Memorial Charitable Foundation has been established to continue Peter’s legacy. Check back for more details of the charities and scholarships we hope to support and establish in honor of Peter.

Fund Administrators

• Nancy Robinson

Donations

CharitySmith accepts donations in two ways:

The above Memorial Fund is established as a division of Charitysmith Nonprofit Foundation (EIN 87-0636433). All donations are tax deductible in accordance with federal tax law. Receipts for tax purposes are sent via US Mail within two weeks of donation. Please consider asking if your employer participates in a gift-matching program. If so, your donation may be matched by your employer.

For questions regarding your donation or this memorial fund please contact CharitySmith.