Remembering Peter O. Crisp

By David Evans Shaw

It is an honor to join in celebrating the remarkable life of Peter O. Crisp.  Peter passed away on August 4th at the age of 93.  

Many will remember him as the legendary cofounder, with Laurence Rockefeller, of the pioneering venture capital firm Venrock in 1969. At the helm of Venrock during an unprecedented era of scientific discovery and technological innovation, Peter helped to provide vital development-stage support for hundreds of entrepreneurial companies that changed the world, including Apple, Intel, Apollo, and Boston Scientific.  
 

As just one example of the impactful roles he played, Peter served for 16 years on the Apple board, helping to guide the company through one of the most consequential corporate journeys in modern history.  

With Peter’s passing, the world has lost much more than a visionary champion of entrepreneurship. He was a man of uncommon wisdom, integrity and generosity who helped people, companies and non-profit institutions realize their dreams.   

More than 40 boards of directors benefitted from his service and judgment as a partner in building successful enterprises.  His support of healthcare was particularly impressive, including more than four decades as a trustee of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His contributions were recognized via honors including the National Venture Capital Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. And the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award in 2024. 

My relationship and friendship with Peter began with an improbable meeting more than 40 years ago.  

I was a young entrepreneur trying to raise capital for a startup called IDEXX. Without an appointment, I travelled to Venrock’s offices on the 56^th floor of 30  Rockefeller Center in New York City, hoping for a meeting.  At the reception desk I was told that no one was available, and I was asked to leave the office.  But somehow an arrangement was made to share a ride with a Venrock partner to LaGuardia Airport where we both had flights to catch.   A little while later I climbed into the passenger seat of Peter’s Volvo station wagon on 49th Street beside the skating rink at Rockefeller Center and we departed for LaGuardia.  

During that drive, Peter listened as I described my vision for IDEXX, and he asked astute questions . When we arrived at the airport, he told me that my venture sounded interesting, and the next step would be a follow up meeting with several Venrock colleagues. He wrote a name and telephone number on the back of my airline ticket.

Only after returning home did I discover that the man who had generously shared his time with me was the legendary founder of Venrock. That single act of engagement and generosity changed my life and, to me, captures the spirit of Peter Crisp.  

There is wonderful symmetry in the story. Peter’s own relationship with Laurence Rockefeller had begun when, after reading a magazine article about Rockefeller’s venture investing as a young man, Peter simply wrote him a letter. Laurence opened a door to opportunity for Peter, and Peter did something similar for me.

Months after our ride to LaGuardia, Venrock led IDEXX’s first institutional financing, and we went on to become one of their most successful investments. Over the next two decades, my friendship with Peter grew, and in 2005 I joined Venrock as a partner, supporting important life science investments including Ironwood,  and Ikaria where I was the founding CEO.   

Along the way I was blessed to learn from his experiences and perspectives, including his wonderfully simple description of three phases of a fulfilling life: 

Learn. Earn. Return.   

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to interview Peter for a film I made about the creation of IDEXX, upon the occasion of our induction into the Life Sciences Hall of Fame.  In that film  Peter related the circumstances of our first meeting, the reasons for his interest in IDEXX, and his appreciation for what the company ultimately accomplished. 

More recently, I met Peter at his home in Florida to hand-deliver a copy of my book: Wave Making, Inspired By Impact. Peter subsequently provided insightful feedback on ways that the world could benefit from my book, and he wrote a review that now means more to me than ever, including:  

“I am grateful that our relationship has enriched my life.”

Peter’s words reflected his characteristic generosity. I happily return the sentiment, many times over:   

Peter enriched my life—and the lives of countless others.   

He opened the door for me and many other entrepreneurs by believing in our potential for worthy accomplishments with the opportunity.   

Farewell to a remarkable man. I send deepest sympathies to Peter’s family, gratitude for our friendship, and great admiration for an enduring legacy and life well-lived.