CGU grad, political consultant, traveler, pianist 

Peter Dan Vasilovich was born September 5, 1946, in Fresno, California. His grandparents immigrated to America from Montenegro in 1914.

He grew up on his family’s farm in Reedley, California, attended rural elementary schools and Reedley High School, where he served as student body president and boys’ state representative.

He attended Fresno State College, then enrolled at UCLA, graduating in 1970. He served honorably in the California Air Force National Guard in Fresno during the Vietnam War.

After serving as administrative assistant to Senator Rose Ann Vuich from 1985 to 1990, he moved to Claremont to attend Claremont Graduate University. At CGU he earned a master’s degree in international studies and a doctorate in political science.

When he lived in Central California, he worked as a consultant to and director for various political campaigns. In Southern California, he pursued careers in marketing, sales management and hospitality services.

He traveled to South America, the Soviet Union and Europe. He enjoyed playing classical piano, collecting carvings of exotic wood objets d’art, playing chess, and gazing in awe and wonderment of the Giant Sequoia redwood trees of Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.

Forever the student, he engaged the American philosophy of autonomy and life with in-depth consideration of the human agenda.

“In so doing, he lived a principled life with an emancipated mind,” his family shared. “He was kind and compassionate in his concern for the freedom and well-being of others.”

When evaluating his life, he often referenced a poem by Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken,” the ending lines of which revealed the nature of his autonomy: 

‘… Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.’

In 2020, Mr. Vasilovich retired to his family’s farm in Reedley, where he lived in appreciation and acceptance of the finitude of his days.

He is survived by his sister Debra Vasilovich, and brother Robert Vasilovich and his family.

A private family service was held at Belmont Memorial Park in Fresno.

The family asks that remembrances be made to your favorite charity.