Pete Sara Memoriam

Peter Charles Sara, age 74, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side at the UCSD Jacobs Medical Center on Thursday, January 20, 2022, after a twoand-a-half-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was described by his oncologist as “one in a million.” Pete was a full-blooded Italian and very proud of his heritage. He was a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, and a dear friend to many. Pete attended New Life Presbyterian Church since 1982, where he was a member and elder.

Pete’s deep love for the Lord and the church led him to a longtime commitment to Westminster Seminary California. Over the years, he helped build the main campus in Escondido, led a major renovation of the library in 2008, served as Trustee, supporter, built Westminster Village student housing, and was a champion of providing a beautiful campus for WSC students, faculty, and staff. His love for the seminary is evident in every aspect of the Village. During planning and construction, Pete spent many hours with WSC Vice President for Administration, Marcus McArthur, reviewing and perfecting every detail of the project in order to produce a lovely, efficient, safe and long-lasting complex for WSC students and their families.

Pete was born on March 28, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Peter and Bernadina (Campanelli) Sara. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with a Bachelors of Science in Special Education, where he then taught underprivileged high school students. Pete decided to enlist in the Navy. After receiving the necessary shots and paperwork to go to Vietnam, he was notified that his orders had been pulled out of thousands due to his degree in education. There had been a riot in the brig in San Diego, and they needed someone with his background to run an educational program for the inmates. Pete was transferred to San Diego, where he set up a program with the San Diego Community College District and

ran a successful program for the military.

After his military service, Pete was hired by San Diego Community College to run their college. During this time, he attended the University of San Diego and obtained his Master of Arts in History. He then met David Chigos, who was starting National University (NU) and wanted Pete to run their marketing program. He became Provost at the new NU Vista campus and took the time to get his Masters in Business Administration. He then attended United States International University (USIU) to pursue his Doctorate in Business Finance.

Pete then came to the attention of two successful partners in a construction firm, K.L. Wessel Construction, who had just finished building the Vista NU campus and took notice of Pete’s friendly personality and sharp marketing skills. He made the transition from education to construction, where he taught himself the ins-and-outs of the industry and was able to market the company successfully and increase their business from day one. It was during this time that K.L. Wessel was hired to build the new Westminster Seminary campus in Escondido, where Pete met and got to know Dr. Robert G. den Dulk.

In 1982, Pete met Jennifer, who was the office manager at one of the architectural firms he frequently marketed to, and she was quickly swept off her feet. When they decided to marry, Dr. den Dulk recommended a WSC graduate, Dr. Richard Kaufmann, who had just started a new church – New Life Presbyterian Church – to marry them. A breakfast was set up with the three of them to meet. Pete often referred to this meeting as the moment he came to the Lord. Pete and Jennifer were married by Dr. Kaufmann in 1984.

In the following years, Pete worked for Roel Construction and ran their Orange County office. And then, in 2004, at the age of 57, Pete and his good friend Mike Kunzik started Kunzik & Sara Construction, a very successful construction company, which continues to thrive to this day. Pete was very proud that his sons and brother-in-law are carrying on the name and continuing the success of the company.

Pete enjoyed traveling, talking politics and gardening around his home. He and Jennifer traveled the world, but especially enjoyed traveling in their new motorhome over the last two years. Pete was a devoted family man, and his wisdom and guidance were cherished by all who knew him.

Pete was a wonderful husband to Jennifer for 37 years and a loving father to his four children, and doting grandpa to his four grandchildren.

As a WSC Trustee from 2006 -2022, Pete Sara’s faithful service was indefatigable. His footprints are literally all over the campus, as he worked with creative energy and enthusiasm to be a faithful steward of what he had gained through years of working with WSC. Pete wrote in the Fall 2016 issue of UPDATE: “As I started building the seminary, God started to build my faith in Him. After many hours of discussion with Bob den Dulk . . . and later with Dick Kaufman, I came to the Lord and His Promised Kingdom.” Pete Sara is resting joyfully with His Lord and Savior in the Promised Kingdom.