Memorial arrangements
On August 23rd, Claire, Robert, Joan, Dietlinde, and Matt gathered on "Mount Claire" (a name coined by Peter) outside of Peter and Claire's home in Broadway, Virginia. Together, they installed a bench along Peter's favorite walking route. Stephan, Zeynep, Susanna, Klemens, Sophia, and Kasimir joined via phone, and together they shared poetry, quotes, and stories in memory of Peter as they scattered his ashes on a sunny, Sunday morning. Some of Peter's ashes are buried next to the bench at the foot of a beautiful oak tree overlooking the Shenandoah Valley.
True to his humble spirit, Peter requested a small, private funeral. In addition to the memorial we held in Broadway, we will host a small gathering of close family and friends in the summer of 2021 in Salzburg Austria, where his remaining ashes will be interred in the family tomb.
Peter
Saturday, August 23, 2020 Hillside Memorial on “Mount Claire”
By Claire Robin
So much embodied in a name:
Energy, determination boundless
A Renaissance Man in contrasting grooves –
Intellectual, scientific
Yet personable, gracious, and empathetic.
Athletic: mountain climber, cyclist,
Snow skier, wilderness hiker
Yet lover of saunas, massages, and pedicures.
Mozart, Peter’s spiritual essence,
Yet Bruckner, Brahms, Bach, Beethoven,
Schubert, Schuman and others
Filled his musical hours.
Peter - true to his Salzburg roots,
Thankful his father encouraged
Piano lessons and classical concerts,
Initiating a life-long passion.
Peter – an Austrian world-class business traveler:
Russia, Brazil, Australia, China, Tokyo,
Costa Rico, and the United States (his home)
Yet a selective vacation traveler repeatedly to
Taos, Crete, Vienna, and Salzburg,
All places to ease his business stresses.
Yet even in leisure, he stayed motivated:
Skiing blacks in Taos, hiking at noon in Crete, attending
Music festivals in Salzburg, taking long walks in Vienna.
…Then arrives the most recent Peter, the one I know best:
The relaxed Peter in Virginia.
Re-reading Seneca, delving repeatedly into Bernhard’s novels,
Walking with his bright yellow walking sticks on one of his five
Paths, depending on the weather and his desires; doing daily balance
Exercises on the brick patio; drinking his morning coffee while
Sunning on the front porch; choosing his nightly read from the books
Piled high by his reading chair: philosophers, historians, scientists,
All stacked, waiting for Peter’s evening and nighttime selection.
Freed from most tensions, the last of his life contrasts his earlier years.
But the final years held his innate integrity: honesty, kindness
Politeness, love and concern for his family, friends, and business associates.
All who knew Peter loved him.
His presence will be sorely missed,
But his memory will last our lifetimes.
I myself so loved and enjoyed sharing Peter’s
Passions and his daily routines.
He will forever be my beloved husband.
And, moreover, he has blessed me with his wonderful children.
Energy, determination boundless
A Renaissance Man in contrasting grooves –
Intellectual, scientific
Yet personable, gracious, and empathetic.
Athletic: mountain climber, cyclist,
Snow skier, wilderness hiker
Yet lover of saunas, massages, and pedicures.
Mozart, Peter’s spiritual essence,
Yet Bruckner, Brahms, Bach, Beethoven,
Schubert, Schuman and others
Filled his musical hours.
Peter - true to his Salzburg roots,
Thankful his father encouraged
Piano lessons and classical concerts,
Initiating a life-long passion.
Peter – an Austrian world-class business traveler:
Russia, Brazil, Australia, China, Tokyo,
Costa Rico, and the United States (his home)
Yet a selective vacation traveler repeatedly to
Taos, Crete, Vienna, and Salzburg,
All places to ease his business stresses.
Yet even in leisure, he stayed motivated:
Skiing blacks in Taos, hiking at noon in Crete, attending
Music festivals in Salzburg, taking long walks in Vienna.
…Then arrives the most recent Peter, the one I know best:
The relaxed Peter in Virginia.
Re-reading Seneca, delving repeatedly into Bernhard’s novels,
Walking with his bright yellow walking sticks on one of his five
Paths, depending on the weather and his desires; doing daily balance
Exercises on the brick patio; drinking his morning coffee while
Sunning on the front porch; choosing his nightly read from the books
Piled high by his reading chair: philosophers, historians, scientists,
All stacked, waiting for Peter’s evening and nighttime selection.
Freed from most tensions, the last of his life contrasts his earlier years.
But the final years held his innate integrity: honesty, kindness
Politeness, love and concern for his family, friends, and business associates.
All who knew Peter loved him.
His presence will be sorely missed,
But his memory will last our lifetimes.
I myself so loved and enjoyed sharing Peter’s
Passions and his daily routines.
He will forever be my beloved husband.
And, moreover, he has blessed me with his wonderful children.
in memoriam donations
Thank you for the outpouring of love, flowers, and food that many of you have already sent. We are finding much peace and gratitude in the supportive community that Peter cultivated.
If you would like to make a donation in Peter's honor, we suggest the following organizations.
If you would like to make a donation in Peter's honor, we suggest the following organizations.
- The Fort Worth Nature Center and Preserve - One of Peter's favorite getaway spots in Fort Worth.
- We all know Peter loved classical music. Two of his favorite orchestras are linked below, but we're certain that he would have appreciated a donation to any organization that supports or promotes classical music.