We Lost a Good Man Who Was a Husky Through and Through Today

Monday, February 5, 2024

In the evening I received one of those messages with news that you simply never want hear.

Daniel Claridge informed many of us old Huskies that his father, Peter, had passed away.

With Peter at the 2019 Rose Bowl Game

between Washington and Ohio State

 

Though Peter was engaging and still funny on this New Year's Day, he was already showing signs from the early stages of Altzheimer's disease.

From the University of Washington

1966 Football Press Guide

At 6-6, 190 lbs., is it any wonder that his lifelong nickname was "Spear?"

If you are telling a cherished story to a UW friend about someone called Pete Claridge they might have had to stop and think for a second or two.

If you were relaying that same tale to any Husky about Spear, they would know exactly who you were talking about.

I was a teammate of Spear's on that long ago Husky squad as a Sophomore as well. I found him to always be a happy-go-lucky soul who brought mirth, laughter and smiles to everyone in the room.

A touching moment at the 2018

UW vs. UCLA game also at the

Rose Bowl in Pasadena between

Paul Sabolić and Spear

Many of us had lost contact with Spear and his wife Sherlyn for a few years at this point. Thank's to the efforts of his son Daniel, Spear was with us once again and we were all the better because of it.

Daniel put on a great tailgate at the 2019

Rose Bowl Game that allowed lots of Husky

families to see Spear again

Spear is the tall drink of water on the far left with his two fingered Victory salute high in the air.

Unfortunately, Spear sank deeper and deeper into the grips of the insidious disease that is Altzheimer's in the past four years.

A good man has passed.We are all better for having him in our lives and will miss his joy for life.

Rest in Peace

Peter "Spear" Claridge