Peter Liebowitz, popular Holy Names University Business professor, passed away Sunday, November 25. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, December 8, at 1 pm at the Castro Valley Center for the Performing Arts, 19501 Redwood Road, Castro Valley.

Peter’s family announced the service and said a reception will follow at the center. The family said that he died after two emergency surgeries.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Peter Liebowitz’s name to:

Castro Valley Center for the Arts
P.O. Box 2777
Castro Valley , Ca. 94546

or

Oakland Zoo
Development Office
9777 Golf Links Road
Oakland , Ca. 94605

or

Holy Names University
Advancement Office
3500 Mountain Blvd.
Oakland 94619

Professor Liebowitz taught several courses in the Business Department at HNU, including Marketing Research and Survey of Global Business. He was a highly respected teacher and mentor.

“He was a beloved teacher, mentor, and advisor who made the world of business exciting and challenging.  He brought excellent speakers to his classes, linked students to great internships, and brought out the best in each one,”according to Business Department Chair, Marcia Frideger, SNJM, PhD. 

Chad Miller 08'
"Professor Pete brought the best out of everyone he encountered; he was always more than willing to help anyone in any way that he could. He was an amazing man who helped me in so many ways, I will never forget him."

One of his students, Erin K. Twomey, said, “Professor Pete is so very much a part of my success during my time at HNU. He made academic theories come to life with real business situations. His classes were made up of case studies, and called us all to be "subject matter experts" or as he called them ‘Sme's.’ Professor Pete wanted us to succeed in life and he did whatever it took to help us do just that. He cared so much about us and in return we cared and always will care about him. Many people remember him as a sports fan but in reality Professor Pete was a fan of life. He supported every single one of his students as strongly as he supported his A's, Cal Bears, and Hawks athletic teams. I will truly miss Professor Pete and will never forget the important lessons of business and life that he taught me.”

Professor Liebowitz received his Masters in Business Administration from UC Berkeley, his undergraduate business degree from Cal State East Bay and had completed post-graduate work in International Business at Harvard University . He had more than 20 years’ management, marketing and sales teaching experience. His course development included web-based product training, CD-ROM marketing development, video/in-person marketing and sales training delivery.

He also was an avid sports fan and was active in the community. He created a successful fundraising campaign for the Castro Valley Performing Arts Center which had raised $8.1 million. He also consulted with the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business to create a new fundraising opportunity: Haaski Annual Golf Tournament, which netted $100,000 per year. He consulted with several nonprofit and profit organizations to develop and execute business plans. He sat on several boards of directors.

He was president of the Castro Valley Babe Ruth League for three years; a major donor to the Eden Hospital Foundation and Board member for the Children’s Theater Workshop. He also was a Castro Valley Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year.”