Longtime Programmer and Adventurous Explorer
Arrita “Peri” Frantz ’67
March 1, 2024, in Peterborough, New Hampshire, with her husband and children by her side.
A longtime programmer and an adventurous explorer, Peri was born on March 25, 1946, in Los Angeles. She grew up in Berkeley and studied chemistry at Reed, but after a brief stint as a chemist, she transitioned to computers and worked as a programmer for many years. She eventually started her own business, Periwinkle Computer Consulting, and also worked as a QA specialist and engineering manager at Apple.
Outside of work, Peri dedicated her time to the international community of people who explore, study, and protect caves. Every summer, she would travel to caving events in Europe, China, Botswana, and Malaysia. When not underground, she took on many leadership roles, including secretary/treasurer of the National Speleological Society. She is survived by her husband, Bill, and her sons, Jefferson and Ethan.
Appeared in Reed magazine: Fall 2024
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