Westmont Magazine Making an Imprint on College History

Longtime trustee Peter Geddes died Oct. 5 in Menifee, Calif., one day before his 93rd birthday. He served on the Westmont board from 1960 to 1995 and chaired the development committee for many years. He owned a printing business in Pasadena and did work for the college before it moved to Santa Barbara; when he delivered catalogs to the new campus in 1945, he was one of the first outsiders to see it.

“Peter and his wife, Chris, became active members of the Westmont community and were great supporters of Warrior athletics,” says Chancellor David K. Winter. “Their gifts made it possible for many students, especially those with missionary parents, to attend the college.” Through his role with the development committee, Geddes worked with donors such as the Armingtons, who made gifts for the library and the residence hall that bears their name, and the Giesers, who funded Clark Halls.

Geddes helped to found Pasadena Christian School in 1946 with J. Vernon McGee and Charles Fuller and served as the first chairman of the board. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Christine, his daughter, Kay Schmook ’61, son-in-law James Schmook ’59, son Craig Geddes ’63, granddaughter Kristy Schmook Douglas ’86, six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.