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Saturday, July 2, 2005
Peter Ostertag, dead at 46: Athlete made sure
everyone had fun
By
LISA STIFFLER
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
In the world according to Peter Ostertag, a grueling summer run
more than a dozen miles uphill -- through the woods, toting a
fishing pole -- was a fun outing with friends and a chance to
experience nature.
Delving into the mind-boggling intricacies of computer code was a
chance to work hard and inspire others.
When Ostertag ran the Boston Marathon in April with his wife,
Patricia, and friends, it wasn't an expression of machismo or drive
to break records, but an opportunity make sure everyone performed
their best.
All of this activity, "he just found it to be stimulating,
exciting," said Rod Brown, one of Ostertag's numerous running
partners. "It was living, being challenged and always trying to
improve -- just being alive. He just loved it. One thing after
another."
Ostertag, a resident of Woodinville, died Thursday. He was 46 and
is survived locally by his wife, son and daughter.
A native of Canada, he graduated first in his class from the
University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario.
He worked at Microsoft for the past seven years as a senior
software engineer.
 "He was a guy that did his work very well, held a very high bar
for himself," said Paul David, a Microsoft colleague. "He was a
great role model for the other engineers that he worked with. He was
never a guy who asserted authority. He was somebody who showed
people how to do things by doing them very well himself.
"Peter was a real generous soul," David added. "A quiet guy with
a big presence."
Ostertag was an active member of Eastside Runners, a running club,
and enjoyed bicycling, cross-country skiing and reading.
On June 18, he crashed his bicycle on a ride to raise money for
the Cascade Bicycle Club, a non-profit group that promotes bicycle
transportation and safety. He was traveling about 40 mph and wrecked
after a fellow cyclist either clipped his front wheel or he swerved
to miss the other bike, friends said.
Ostertag, who was wearing a helmet, was hospitalized at
Harborview Medical Center and died from head injuries.
"He loved to do long trail runs and liked to do long trail runs
that involved running into a lake to do some fishing," said Ed
Sobey, a friend who often ran with Ostertag.
"He would quietly organize a run, send an e-mail out and say,
'We're going to run up this mountain, why don't you come?' " Sobey
said. "He was a guy who shared his activities with other people and
encouraged other people to join him."
Arrangements for a memorial service are pending.
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