Obituary for “Korau”
Peter Andersen: 19 January 1946–29 April 2024
It is with sadness we learned that our long-term contributor, Peter Andersen, aka Korau, has passed away in Lower Hutt.
Peter provided “Word of the Day” firstly on the Whaleoil blog and latterly on The BFD website from early January 2015 until the end of January 2021. He has also provided a number of columns under the “Tech Talk” heading on The BFD, the last of these being submitted for publication shortly before his death.
Peter was born in New Plymouth to Ray and Ruth Andersen, the second of five children. After a short stint in Fiji, where his two sisters were born, the family moved to near Manaia in South Taranaki where his father ran a demonstration farm. Peter started his schooling at the Manaia Primary School. The family then moved to near Masterton in the late ’50s when his father became the principal of the Wairarapa Training Farm. Peter has credited his parents with giving him a lifelong love of reading and a very enquiring mind.
Peter completed his schooling at Solway Primary School and Wairarapa College, both in Masterton. After school, he secured employment in the office of Jones Timber Company (later Carter Merchants). During this time he did the smartest thing he acknowledges he ever did: which was to court and marry Glenda West, a local Masterton girl. The two best friends have remained married until Peter’s death, for over 54 years. Shortly before marriage, Peter changed employment to the ANZ Bank.
While in the bank, Peter and Glenda lived in Featherston, Levin, Auckland, Lower Hutt (where he had positions in two Wellington ANZ Bank branches and several head office positions), and Dunedin, rising to a branch management position. During his posting to his last branch, in the time of 20 per cent plus mortgage rates, Peter’s health suffered and after a breakdown he left the high stress banking world for real estate, where he stayed until retirement in 2011. The couple lived in Stokes Valley for over 30 years, having tired of the moving life after banking.
After retirement, Peter devoted his talents and knowledge to helping others with their tech problems by joining and tutoring at the Lower Hutt campus of SeniorNet. For seven years he was the chairman of the SeniorNet Executive Committee in Lower Hutt (2014–2021). He also continued driving, which was very handy when Glenda suffered ill health and couldn’t drive for some months.
Peter’s health declined over the past several years, firstly with a nasty bout of pneumonia, then heart troubles culminating in having a pacemaker installed. Finally, an enlarged prostate ending with cancer in that organ, which was the probable cause of his death.
Peter and Glenda had no children (by their choice) but were lifelong lovers of animals, having shared their many homes with two dogs and numerous cats. Both of them always believed in being good citizens and always helping those around them. Even in his declining years, Peter continued to help people with their computer problems with support from Glenda.
He also enjoyed TV and was thankful to have lived long enough to have seen the best of Canelo Alvarez and Lionel Messi, both perhaps GOATs in their fields.
He was also pleased to see the change of government in New Zealand, having a long-standing interest in politics.
Peter is survived by his beloved wife, a brother and sister and three cats.
