John Peter Franks

May 10, 1946 - September 23, 2016

May 10, 2017 would have been John Peter Franks’ 71st birthday. He passed away in Belmont, CA on September 23, 2016, and will be forever missed by his family and friends.

The son of Stan and Lucille Franks, Peter was born in Palo Alto, CA on May 10, 1946. As a child, Peter moved with his family to Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Connecticut, and Switzerland. When his family returned to Mexico in 1961, Peter went to Spokane, WA, where he had extended family, to attend high school. He graduated from St. George’s School in Spokane, then returned to Palo Alto, CA to attend Stanford University, graduating from Stanford in 1968.

Peter spent most of his adult life in his beloved San Francisco Bay Area, living in San Francisco and Marin. He had three great passions: investing in the stock and commodity markets, long-distance running, and bridge.

He worked for many years at the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange, followed by many more years at Charles Schwab Co. He eventually moved to Phoenix, AZ to continue working for Charles Schwab. Peter also purchased a home in Silver City, NM, where he liked to spend time and made many good friends.

One of Peter’s lifelong passions was running, particularly ultramarathons (races longer than 26.2 miles) on trails. He completed some 30 of them, four of 50 miles. And he raced well, including a best time of four hours and 45 minutes in Marin County’s notoriously brutal Quadruple Dipsea Race (which he finished five times) and a 4:22 at the Skyline 50K.

But what he most loved about running was the camaraderie of friends and the connection with nature. While living in Marin, his favorite running haunt was Point Reyes National Seashore, where he logged many miles solo and with others. Peter enjoyed running with his friends on the nature filled colorful picturesque trails of Marin. They would laugh, tell stories and log in the miles after work or on the weekend. Peter was a quiet man, gentle soul, intelligent, witty, charming and very pleasant to be around. His friends appreciated his amazing sense of being in the moment and embracing their friendship.

Companions dubbed Peter the “Surgin’ General” for his ability to pull away on tough hills. Another sobriquet was “Sneaky Pete,” for his pre-race ritual of declaring doubts about even finishing, then competing ferociously. All recall his dry wit, his intelligence, his caring for others and his infectious smile. In later years in Silver City, he spent many hours in Tonto National Forest on the course of the Zane Grey 50 Mile race.

One of Peter’s many legacies in the running world is the Headlands 50K, now among the nation’s premier ultramarathons. Peter co-founded the event (with Guy Palmer, in 1995), as the Point Reyes 50K, then ran the race and worked as a volunteer for many years after.

Peter’s wit, intelligence and value of friendship – as well as his self-deprecating humor - were also greatly appreciated by his friends and partners in the world of his other great passion, the game of bridge. Peter became an expert bridge player early in his life and achieved the status of “Life Master” before he was 30.

Peter’s temperament at the bridge table was unflappable. He was always polite, courteous and considerate to opponents and partners alike. He made his partners feel valued and respected, even on occasions of the loss of a game or tournament.

Peter was the perfect partner and everyone loved to play with him. His favorite partners were players well-known both nationally and in the S.F. Bay Area. He was sought after as a partner for his encyclopedic command of the game as well as his temperament at the bridge table. He partnered or played with several famous individuals, but out of respect for their privacy as well as his own, he never mentioned names.

Peter was first or second in many major Regional bridge events over the years including the Grand National Teams and the San Francisco City Championship.

Peter is mourned by his three sisters, Elizabeth Franks of San Mateo, CA, Mary Louise Olsson of Woodside, CA, and Margaret Anaya (Heriberto) of San Antonio, TX and Seattle, WA. He is deeply missed by his four nieces, Christie, Jessica, Monica and Natalie, grandnieces Mackenzie and Abigail and numerous family members in Spokane, WA, as well as all his friends in California, Washington, Arizona and New Mexico.

Heartfelt thanks are extended to his special friends in the running and bridge communities, for their contributions to this obituary.

May Peter now run free and fly.