By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

For several years, Pete Durbrow, and his wife, Florian "Skeet" Durbrow, spent their summers in Omena, Mich., in an Ingalls Bay farmhouse the two converted into the family summer cottage.

And without fail - as they took the 500-mile drive up to their favorite spot each year - Pete Durbrow would meet a friend.

"He knew about a million people," said his daughter, Betsy Durbrow Parker of Kansas City, Mo. "He always saw someone he knew. He was a real social being."

Lamonte "Pete" Durbrow III died Friday at his home after a long illness. The longtime Hyde Park resident was 87.

Raised in Hyde Park and Mount Lookout, Mr. Durbrow graduated from Withrow High School and continued his education at Miami University, where he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

He earned a bachelor's degree in business in 1936.

Mr. Durbrow entered the U.S. Navy to serve in World War II.

Stationed for four years off the coast of California and in the China Sea, Mr. Durbrow became a lieutenant commander and served as the commander of two minesweepers.

After he was honorably discharged, he returned to Cincinnati and began working at the family company - the then downtown-based Durbrow-Otte Associates, a building materials company.

Mr. Durbrow rose from the rank of sales representative to eventually become president of the company, in 1965.

He retired in 1976.

A longtime member of the Cincinnati Country Club, he was an active, avid golfer who took pleasure in watching his daughter, Laurie Hyndman of Falmouth Foreside, Maine, share his enthusiasm for the sport.

"Dad would come to all my tournaments but he'd have to hide behind trees so I wouldn't get rattled," said Ms. Hyndman.

He was also proud that his grandson, Alex Parker, chose to attend college at his alma mater, Miami University, and to join the same fraternity.

Mr. Durbrow was a member of the University Club and the Rotary Club.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, Florian Durbrow of Hyde Park; his two daughters; and his grandson; survivors include a sister, Mildred Durbrow Didlake of Anderson Township; and four other grandchildren.

Service is at 2 p.m. today at Church of the Redeemer, 2944 Erie Ave., Hyde Park.

Memorials: Hospice of Cincinnati, 4310 Cooper Road, Blue Ash, 45242, or to Church of the Redeemer, 2944 Erie Ave., Cincinnati, 45208.E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com