Peter Adams was born in Khabarovsk Russia. He was in an orphanage until he was two, when he was adopted in 2000 by his parents, John and Andrea Adams. Peter was a handsome, strong, polite and big-hearted guy. He loved his job as a security guard. In recent years, Peter had come to make some good friends. He was a resident and then a volunteer at the young Adults in Transition Program (YAIT) part of the YMCA and where he became a leader and a spokesperson.
Peter grew up with his parents and sister on Bainbridge Island WA. His parents hoped that with a loving family, he would be able to overcome his early life in an orphanage. Although he was an adorable boy, he had many emotional challenges from an early age. Peter’s needs grew beyond the capabilities of public school. Not understanding the “tornados in his head,” he acted out against others. He went intermittently to therapeutic schools that gave him a better chance of learning and positive peer interaction. His parents always hoped he could come home to stay.
Peter liked the wide-open spaces and cowboy culture of New Mexico. He was proud of the summer where he helped out on a cattle ranch in Nebraska. The family shared barbeque on his 18th birthday at the Texas school where he finished his high school education. Peter’s favorite vacations were always around water including Cape Cod, The Adirondacks and Winthrop WA. His appetite and appreciation of a good meal were legendary. He liked a wide variety of music and improvising on the piano and guitar. Peter had a wonderful singing voice.
On May 23rd, 2019, Peter took his own life—at a time when he seemed to be thriving. He had a good job, a new kind & loving girlfriend and an apartment of his own, despite his ongoing struggle with bi-polar illness.
Peter leaves behind his parents John & Andrea Adams, his older sister Karen Hollenbeck, brother-in-law Robb Hollenbeck, niece and nephew Evy & Cy Hollenbeck, his older sister, Natalie, and his niece, McKenzie, and his many grandparents, aunts, and uncles. We love you Peter. You were our big Russian son with the incomparable bear hugs. May the peace so elusive to you in life be yours.
A service will be held for Peter at Plymouth Church in Seattle on Saturday June 29 at 2PM.
https://www.seattleymca.org/blog/memory-peter-adams
