Peter Alexander Weinrobe

WALNUT CREEK, CA - Peter Alexander Weinrobe of Walnut Creek, CA, formerly of Westborough, MA and Jersey City, NJ, died peacefully on June 2, 2025 after a long brave struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Peter was born on June 27, 1951 in Los Angeles, CA to Alice and Philip Weinrobe. He was the devoted husband of (Rabbi) Debra Hachen and beloved father of Philip Weinrobe (Maia Friedman) of Brooklyn, NY, Carolyn (Jeremy) Zeitlin of Oakland, CA, and Melissa (Alex) Lippitt of Evanston, IL, and grandfather to Alice and Pearl Lippitt; Samuel, Harvey and Elliot Zeitlin; and Petra Weinrobe. He will be missed by his brothers-in-law, David (Gayle) Hachen and Daniel Hachen (Inda Cicelsky) and his many wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews.

Peter graduated from University High School in Los Angeles and was active in his temple youth group. At University of Oregon he co-founded the Sailing Club and took photos of college athletics for the AP, but his most memorable moment was getting arrested for protesting the Vietnam war.

During graduate school in California he worked as the regional youth advisor for SCFTY, the Southern California Federation of Temple Youth. He then moved to New York City where he worked in a family business. Through Reform movement mutual friends, he met a young rabbinical student, Debby Hachen, and they were married within a year. They settled in Massachusetts where Peter worked for twenty years in various tech related businesses in the early days of personal computers and networking. Peter took the position of Chief Information Officer for the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now the Union for Reform Judaism) in New York City in 2003, where he was known for his positive attitude as well as the many projects he oversaw and personal attention he gave to employees across the organization. He retired in 2011 and worked briefly as a computer consultant before becoming a volunteer and then part-time employee guiding children through exhibits at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ.

Peter took pride in being one of the first rabbinic husbands and was active in each congregation that Debby served. He enjoyed attending Sabbath and holiday services as well as assisting in building and renovation projects. He was an active member of Westborough Rotary Club, on the board of the Worcester Foothills Theatre, and assisted with sound and lights for the Westborough Players Club.

Peter loved photography, sailing, kayaking, hiking, biking, and all things tech. He never met a speaker or sound system he couldn’t wire. He was a Red Sox fan, a lover of well-aged scotch, and had his private pilot’s license. Peter’s favorite place was the Berkshires and especially hearing James Taylor annually at Tanglewood Music Center. The last time he was able to attend, he was thrilled to meet James in person.

Travel was a passion for Peter, from a summer teen trip across Mexico in the 60’s to a three-week hiking trip in 2017 in New Zealand. In addition to his many visits to Israel, Peter relished trips to numerous national parks and foreign countries, plus cruises in Alaska, along Norway’s fjords, through the Panama Canal, and even across the Pacific Ocean. He always had his Nikon camera along documenting the beauty of nature from majestic waterfalls and glaciers, to the smallest insect on a flower petal.

When he developed dementia in his early 60’s, he accepted it with dignity and equanimity, teaching by example and doubling down on living his best life.

Peter had many deep friendships including close men friends, whom he considered as brothers.

Above all, his beloved wife Debby and his children were the center of his life, and he was constantly amazed by their talents, accomplishments, and good hearts. Zichrono livracha, may Peter’s memory be a blessing.

The funeral service will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, June 6th, at Congregation B’nai Shalom, 117 East Main Street, Westborough, with interment to follow at Beit Olam cemetery, 60 Old Sudbury Road, Wayland.

The funeral will be livestreamed at https://www.cbnaishalom.org/livestream.html

The family will observe shiva at the congregation after the burial, concluding at 4:00 pm. Saturday evening shiva will be private. On Sunday, June 8th, the family will observe shiva at the home of Rabbis Rachel Gurevitz and Suri Krieger (12 Jacob Amsden Road, Westborough MA 01581) from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, with a service at 1:00 pm.

A gathering at the end of shloshim, the first thirty days of mourning, will be held in Walnut Creek, CA. Date and location to be determined.

Donations in Peter’s memory may be made to the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) at https://www.irac.org/support-irac-usa or any charity that supports social justice work and a better world.

Arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden.

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit his guestbook.