LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Charles George "Pete" Sonne


Dec. 10, 1938-May 1, 2022

Charles George Sonne, much better known as Pete, of Orinda, California, left us on May 1, 2022 at the age of 83, after a lifetime of making friends everywhere, filling the room with funny one-liners, playing a prank or two on his friends and family, and working hard in multiple long careers. Whether he was frequenting the college bars of Berkeley, shouting an ape call from the chairlift at Alpine Meadows, rounding up cattle with his horse pals, or roaming his almond orchard with one of the many dogs who "found" him, Pete always brought out some bright side of life (except when he was watching a 49ers game).

Charles was born on Dec. 10, 1938, in South Pasadena, California. At an early age, he stopped looking like "little Chucky" and soon became "Pete." He attended South Pasadena High School and UC Berkeley. Pete had a 33-year career in sales, mainly selling corrugated packaging, and a 31-year career as an almond farmer. Pete also served in the US Army and US Army Reserves from 1961 to 1974, retiring as a captain. He was passionate about his work and cared about doing the right thing for his colleagues and employees. His four-month retirement, starting in January 2022, was far too short.

Pete is survived by his wife Muriel, his son Peter and wife Holly, daughter Linda and husband Scott, and grandchildren Annika and Ashton Sonne and Peter and Scotty Harrison.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the East Bay Regional Parks Foundation or Bay Area Ridge Trail.