[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 17 (Thursday, January 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E78]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     WILLIAM (PETER) W. GRANT, III

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED PERLMUTTER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 28, 2021

  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize William 
(Peter) W. Grant, III, who passed away surrounded by family on December 
12, 2020.
  Peter was born in New York to W.W. Grant III (Bill) and Katherine 
(Kocie) O'Connor in 1932. He attended Phillips Academy, Andover MA and 
Yale University, graduating with a degree in English. While at Yale, he 
met Rhondda Lowery and they were married in 1955. They moved to New 
York City where he had started his career at Bankers Trust Company in 
1954. Together they moved to his parents' hometown of Denver in 1958. 
He attended Harvard University's two summers-long Advanced Management 
Program in the mid '70s, widening his ever-growing circle of friends 
and associates worldwide.
  A nearly lifelong Colorado resident, he retired in 1993 from his 
position as Chairman of the Colorado National Bank of Denver and 
Colorado National Bancshares after a 35-year career there. He rose from 
bond trader to President and Chairman, over years that brought a 
multitude of changes in banking from a single branch to holding 
companies; the addition of a credit card issuer (Rocky Mountain 
BankCard); interstate banking and finally a sale to First Bank Systems 
(now USBank) in 1993.
  His second career as a devoted philanthropist and advisor spanned 
over many years. He was a Director of Plains Petroleum and Barrett 
Resources. He served on, often chairing, the Boards of The Gates 
(rubber) Family Foundation, The Denver Museum of Nature and Science 
(formerly the Denver Museum of Natural History), The Nature Conservancy 
of Colorado, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The 
Episcopal Church Foundation, Four Mile Historic Park, the Rocky 
Mountain Conservancy (formerly the Rocky Mountain Nature Association), 
the Illif School of Theology, the Midwest Research institute, Colorado 
Energy Science Center, KRMA-TV, Channel Six, as well as an active 
vestryman and Senior Warden for St. Barnabas Episcopal Church (of 
Denver). He was active in the Andover Alumni Association and funded a 
scholarship.
  With his wife of 65 years, Rhondda, they supported the Smithsonian 
American History Museum providing lead funding on the Jefferson Bible 
conservation and printing and the Abraham Lincoln exhibit at the 
Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. They have been significantly 
involved in the Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, supporting the 
Gates Summer Internship Program as well as other initiatives in stem 
cell research there. Most recently, they were one of three sponsors of 
the Denver presentation of American Democracy: a Great Leap of Faith 
developed by the National Museum of American History and currently on 
exhibit at the History of Colorado Center. He stood with integrity, 
honesty, intelligence and admirable devotion to his large Grant family 
and his friends with a great sense of humor.
  Peter was a long-time steward of Grant family interests in Colorado 
properties. His father Bill initiated development of their parents farm 
property southwest of Denver in the early '80s. Peter and two other 
family branch representatives entered into a partnership with Jordan 
Perlmutter to develop a number of shopping centers at the sites. One 
family branch resides in England; Peter was instrumental in persuading 
British Airways to open daily direct service to Denver. The Grant 
Family managing ``Senior Committee'' which he developed, survives today 
as a model of family investment and stewardship now serving and 
benefiting the 4th, 5th and 6th generations.
  Peter was a devoted fan of the Colorado Rockies, both the hockey team 
(now the New Jersey Devils) and his beloved baseball team. He is 
survived by his wife Rhondda, their three daughters: Hallidie Haid 
(Don), Deirdre Mercurio (Jim) and Liza Grant, as well as six 
grandchildren: Relly, Wes, Marielle, MacKenzie, Patrick and Caleigh. I 
appreciate his lifetime service to our community.