Beloved Teacher, Peter Ward

Peter, a long-term asset to Garden Gate Elementary and the Cupertino community, passed away suddenly on June 10th, 2022.

 

His school staff, 20+ years of students, and his family are gutted that he is gone. We are filled with grief. 

About Mr. Ward
Mr. Ward was a beloved teacher and colleague for several decades at Garden Gate Elementary. Mostly teaching 3rd grade, he was well known for his use of "characters" while acting out concepts or vocabulary words. With his use of charades, and voices, he made an indelible impression and he would receive letters from students from year's past, saying just how much they remember his lessons. To staff, Peter was a staple when it came to fixing, mending, or running sound. 

Peter was a compassionate and caring teacher. He was patient and kind and his students were excited to be in his classroom every day. Peter was dependable and willing to do what was needed for his school, from fixing the tetherballs to making a giant spinning House Wheel for the weekly wheel spin, which is an integral part of the school community. Mr. Ward truly loved his students and school and they loved him back. 

About the Ward Family

Peter was a proud father, a voracious craftsman, and mountain biker. He was looking forward to taking his kids to Mexico to visit his parents, Tom and Jan, and to watch his oldest perform in Drum Corps this summer. 

 

EJ is a brand new high school graduate and will spend the summer in Drum Corps then will attending college in the fall.

Simon will be a senior next year, plays the clarinet in marching band and will study sciences in University in 2023.

Sophia loves band and is a strong color guard and plans on doing color and winter guard again next year.

About Peter
Tom and Jan are deeply saddened by the loss of their only child. Peter grew up in Santa Cruz surfing with his Dad and living in the mountains. He left high school early and attended Bethany College at age 15. He graduated with his Master's degree in Theology and a teaching credential by the time he was 21. 

 

We Ask for Your Help

If you know Peter's kids, you know they are industrious, hard-working and have ambitious futures. Their Mom, Andie, also a public school teacher, works several extra jobs to keep the kids at their High School and in band activities. She appreciates any support to directly benefit the kids.

With the oldest just graduating high school, and the other two close to follow, donations will go toward:

1. Funeral and arrangement costs 

2. Keeping the kids in their marching band and color guard activities

3. Helping fund college for the kids

 

Memory Board for Students, colleagues and school parents: Leave your favorite school-aged appropriate memory or photos of Mr. Ward here. These will be memorialized for his kids.

Memory Board for Peter's other friends and family: please leave your memories and photos here.

 

If you prefer to send an offline donation, you may contact us for the mailing address.

The venmo for the kids' account is @Andie-Ward-CA and shows a picture of Andie

 

Gratefully,

The beautiful and amazing kids of Peter Ward


Growing up in Santa Cruz, attending Bethany College in Scott's Valley, Peter loved swimming and surfing. 


Peter had recently taken up forging with his son. They made knives together. 


Peter is well known for his amazing Halloween costumes! From "the laundry" to a flower pot with his daughter, his creativity shined. 

Peter spent a substantial amount of time in and around Yosemite National Park.

Peter's recent visit to Mexico to visit his parents, Tom and Jan. 

Peter absolutely loved clouds. He saw their beautiful artistic shape and design and would draw and paint what he saw. 

Another beautiful hike in Yosemite National Park.

Our Mighty Mustang Band Dad

Sophia's birthday hike at Bass Lake, a place Peter spent a lot of time.

One of Peter's famous costumes- Being a bed with the bed bugs!