G. Peter Rockwell was valued by his many friends for his wit and generosity. He was on the boards of a number of charitable organizations, and was quick to contribute to the charities and causes of his friends.

Mr. Rockwell, 58, died Friday of cancer at his Chatham Towers, Uptown, residence.

The grandson of Col. Willard F. Rockwell, founder of what became Rockwell International, Mr. Rockwell grew up in Edgewood. He graduated from the Kiski School and attended the University of Denver and Point Park College.

Steve "Froggy" Morris, a retired bar owner and friend of Mr. Rockwell for more than 35 years, enjoys relating a story that Mr. Rockwell told him:

Richard Nixon was visiting the Rockwell family compound in Florida shortly after he resigned the presidency. When Nixon asked Peter Rockwell what he did for a living, Morris said Mr. Rockwell told him he responded, "Well, Mr. President, I have a bar in Pittsburgh, Ryan's Pub, and in the winter I have a chartered fishing business here in Florida."

Mr. Rockwell was one of the owners when the Regent Square bar opened about 30 years ago, Morris said, and he ran a charter fishing business for about 25 years in south Florida, where he also maintained a second home.

Mr. Rockwell worked with the Rockwell Foundation, which distributes money to charitable causes. He was involved in fund-raisers and charitable efforts for a number of organizations, including the Pittsburgh Emergency Medicine Foundation and the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, where he often worked with Morris.

"Our 24th annual golf tournament will be Sept. 12 at the South Hills Country Club," Morris said, and this time, it will be held in honor of Mr. Rockwell.

Survivors include his mother, Constance, of Uptown; three brothers, Kent of Fox Chapel, Terry of Sewickley and Russell of Davidson, N.C., and a sister, Lynne Boorn of West Palm Beach, Fla.

A memorial service will be held today at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Sixth Avenue, Downtown.

The family suggests contributions to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Western Pennsylvania Chapter, Convention Towers, 960 Penn Ave., #1000, Pittsburgh 15222.

Arrangements are being handled by John A. Freyvogel Sons Inc.