Peter Gaylan Houck

Peter Gaylan Houck originally of Albany, NY,  age 71 passed away peacefully at his home in Albany, KY June 16th comforted by the company of his two loving children, family, and friends of the family. “Pete” or “Peter G” as he was referred to by some, served in the U.S. Army as an E4 Specialist as an optical lab technician shaping lenses for fellow soldiers. 

Those lucky enough to be mentored by Peter in the workplace valued his superior managerial skills. He instilled self-confidence in his employees and fostered comradery. He didn’t do anything like anybody else. He had a sparkling vocabulary and a bright mind, interested in everything. Who does a crossword puzzle with an ink pen? He was an innovative Scrabble player, an avid reader, a photographer, and a philosopher. Knowledgeable about all kinds of wildlife and sharing that knowledge with family on trips to Maine; the canyonlands of Utah and New Mexico; Yellowstone; Niagara Falls, and Gulf Shores Alabama. Peter would get as excited over a Kingfisher as he would a whale.

Pete instilled his love of fishing and boating skills in his son, daughter, and granddaughter, spending days and weeks with them on Dale Hollow and Lake Cumberland nose-to-nose with Walleye and Stripers. He was a devoted citizen making it to the polls to vote even when sick. He knew baseball and football stats like nobody’s business. Peter adored his children, and granddaughter, and made sure they knew it, referring to each one as “the best kid”. He kept us connected as a family. We will miss his blunt demeanor, his kind and generous heart, dark humor, his mad cooking skills (always willing to offer a seat at his table), and his bailing us out of electronics difficulties. We take inspiration from a journal entry of his:

“Today I learned to hope rather than expect.”

Above all else Peter was an insightful, loving tender human being, tasked with many roles, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, husband, and friend. Peter is survived by his children, Sarah Jeanne of Albany, KY, and Robert Benjamin of Cleveland, OH; granddaughter Chassidy Elaine Cross; sisters Sherry Houck, Virginia Houck, and Laura Houck all of Albany, NY; brother Steven Houck of Vanderwagen, NM.; and loyal dog Roscoe.

Private arrangements were requested by the family. Campbell-New Funeral Home was honored to be in charge of arrangements.

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