Peter A. Huot

Retired Lt. Col. Peter A. Huot, who devoted 22 years to the Army and received a Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War, died Aug. 11 in Rohnert Park of complications from pneumonia.

He was 78.

Huot moved to Sonoma County about 20 years ago after a military career that took him, his wife and four sons to such varied places as Korea and Japan.

Born in Detroit, Mich., Huot came from a family of glass blowers that included his father, his uncles and grandfather. He was raised in Turtle Creek, Pa., and graduated from Clemson University in South Carolina, where he was on a football scholarship.

He was drafted into the Army soon after graduation and eventually served a tour in Vietnam that earned him the Bronze Star. He retired from the Army in 1972.

"He didn't make a big deal about the awards and medals," son Chris Huot of Rohnert Park said.

The family never had a long-term home, Huot said, but that only made life more exciting.

"We were Army brats," he said. "We were in a different school every year. It was always an adventure."

Huot said his father managed to make each move "sound like it was one of the greatest places to be on the planet."

Military life took the family to Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, San Francisco, Novato and Germany, among other places.

Huot said that when his father was in uniform he cast an image that was partly regal but also "get the job done" military toughness.

When the uniform was off, Huot was a dad who loved hugs and frowned at being bombarded with report cards that didn't meet his expectations.

After the military, Huot started a land-sales company that primarily dealt with properties in Lake and Mendocino counties.

"What he enjoyed the most was running his own company," his son said. "The freedom to do things the way he wanted to."

His hobbies included fishing, cooking, flying his Piper Cherokee Warrior aircraft, traveling to Cabo San Lucas and annual trips to Maui with family.

In July, the family made one last outing to Maui that entailed visiting Huot's favorite restaurants and watching the sun set.

"He's going to leave a big gaping hole, I think, for a long time," his son said. "I'm a little biased, but he was the best dad I've ever known. I try to be as much like him, but those were big shoes to fill."

Huot is survived by wife of 54 years, Amy Huot; sons Chris of Rohnert Park, Pete Huot Jr. of Kelseyville and Eric Huot of Rohnert Park; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Huot home in Rohnert Park.

Donations may be made to Sutter VNA and Hospice in Santa Rosa.

-- Tracie Morales