This past Sunday at CKRC club race 5, Peter suffered a health emergency while racing in the Rotax Masters class and unfortunately did not survive. All those in attendance and other people connected to Peter were devastated to learn this news and continue to mourn Peter in their own personal way. The family has written the following to share with us.
August. 26, 1951, Penticton, B.C.
July 10, 2022. Strathmore, Alberta
It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Peter Sammon passed away unexpectedly at the age of 70. Peter had a passion for life and lived it fully. He was born in Penticton, B.C. to Kathleen (nee Auton) and Andrew Sammon on August 26, 1951.
Peter received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics from the University of British Columbia. He went on to Cornell University to study for a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics which he was awarded in 1978.
He married his hometown sweetheart Christine and together they moved to Wisconsin, where he held a post-doctoral appointment at the University of Wisconsin-in Madison. The two of them then moved on to Chicago where Peter held a two year Dickson Instructor position at the University of Chicago.
He settled in Calgary where he worked for the Computer Modelling Group, his own company Dynamic Reservoir Systems, BP and finally with the Computer Modeling Group again where he continued his research into numerical solutions of PDEs and reservoir simulation. The techniques he helped develop were incorporated into CMG’s suite of engineering software products, one of which he led as product coordinator. His work contributed to the commercial success of CMG, creating opportunities for software developers in Calgary, and helping engineers world-wide understand and optimize reservoir problems.
Peter and Christine had a true love for life and shared many incredible experiences, constantly moving and discovering. True partners, they travelled the world together, learned new skills together, and most importantly, laughed together. Their love for each other was always clear. Any arguments were short lived and even when they were exasperated with each other, it was always supported by an undercurrent of humour and amusement. Peter was very aware of how lucky he was to call Christine his wife. (? Written by Maggie Sammon)
He was an amazing father to his only child, Maggie Sammon. They loved to spend evenings together watching comedy and sci-fi movies, followed by long chats and laughter into the wee hours over a glass of Lagavulin (eventually having to be amusedly “shushed” by Christine who was trying to sleep.) He was always game to follow Maggie on adventures trusting her, even if it got him into trouble, like getting hopelessly stuck in waist deep powder on a Japanese ski hill or attempting to jump fenced barriers when lost at the Monaco Grand Prix.
He was most happy to see Maggie married to her wonderful husband Reece De Clifford. He loved having long chats with Reece about everything from advances in technology to basic mechanics to silly anecdotes.
We were so grateful he was able to help Maggie + Reece welcome their first child Miles. Though he always tried to convince everyone he “wasn’t good with babies”, it was plain to see the love between the two boys. Peter shared his endless curiosity with Miles, he loved taking him for walks outside to explore the world together. He was an incredible Papa, a true natural, whether he realized it or not.
Wherever he went he immediately immersed himself in that place and made many lifelong friends all of whom enjoyed his quick dry wit and his brilliant mind. He was a generous patient teacher to all. He was an avid lover of many things, among them, good food and wine, music of all kinds with a specific interest in jazz, motor sports of all kinds with strong interests in kart racing and F1. He loved to downhill ski and spent time in the gym during the off season to stay fit so that he could continue both kart racing in the summer months and racing down ski hills in the winter. He traveled widely but had a special love for Italy a country he truly treasured getting lost in.
He leaves to mourn his wife of 44 years, Christine Sammon (nee Hellwig) who shared his passions and his beloved daughter Maggie Sammon (Reece De Clifford), his adored grandchild Miles, his sister Wendy (David Erickson), his sister-in-law Barbara (Brian Staton) and his many nieces and nephews and grandnephews and one grandniece. Though he liked to think of himself as non-sentimental guy, we all knew the truth, that he adored his family and wouldn’t hesitate to move mountains for all of them. His love and generosity for his family, his example as a husband, father and uncle was something we could all learn from.
At this time we ask that you all give the family time to process this sudden and tremendous loss. Please know that we appreciate the outpouring of love, but require some time before we are able to properly thank you all. We wish to have a celebration of life that is worthy of such a great man, as such we will take some time until we are in the emotional state to plan a proper send off.
If friends so wish, in lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to some of Peter’s favourite things:
- Calgary Kart Racing Club. (CKRC) https://ckrc.com/ (Contact the Club President via their website.)
- https://www.jazzyyc.com/donate/ (Check the ‘in memory of’ button on the JazzYYC site)
- CKUA https://ckua.com/
