Peter Rowland Kuhn

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Andy Chacon on August 31, 2004:

Peter Rowland Kuhn Born May 20, 1928 - Died March 3, 1978 Peter Rowland Kuhn's death was marked with all the distinctive signs that so characterized his life. Off on a tennis outing with long-standing partners, a competitive doubles game, a winning margin, a few seconds of distress, and Peter was gone. He died as he had lived, surrounded by friends, doing what he liked, and doing it well. The four days between that moment on the tennis court, and his burial at West Point, revealed as much about Peter as would a detailed chronicle of his life. First came the outpouring of sentiment from family and friends who converged on Westfield, New Jersey, to be at Camilla's side. All were intent on providing comfort to Camilla, and the Kuhn children. It evolved that Camilla, Mark, Lucy, and Emma provided more comfort and strength than they received. I am sure Peter is proud of his family. God knows, they are proud of him! In fact, the closeness of this family is something we should notice and remember. The excuse of the busy executive, that he does not have time to know his children, did not suit Peter; he simply made the time. Family responsibilities were not divided between Peter and Camilla, they were shared. For the future, we can be sure that the integrity of this family will continue undiminished. For all those who came, brothers, classmates, friends, business associates, the "receiving" of the whole family's friends, was endless. For those who could not be present, north, south, east, and west, the cablegrams, transatlantic calls, Paris, Japan, the "shock echoed!" Everyone wanted to "share" in some way. Camilla specified gifts to the Class of 1951 Endowment Fund, and the response was awesome. Flowers, Mass Cards, Memorial tributes to favorite charities, and the incredible abundance of food, for which Peter was notorious for thoroughly enjoying, were received. It was clear that Peter deeply touched the lives of so many. His friends will treasure the warmth of their memories. In reflecting on Pete, it is interesting to reread his biographical sketch written long ago in the Howitzer, considering that such vignettes were not intended to be prophetic. Yet in this case, it certainly proved to be, " an air of relaxation" was an outward sign; and " he managed to help many of his classmates away from the brink of foundation. (His) ever good humor brightened many a dull day, and his steadiness will bolster any outfit with which he serves." Such was Pete in 1951, and so he was in 1978. We must not get the idea that Peter never got angry or frustrated. Mean and petty behavior invariably found his disdain. Pompous and mindless acts frustrated him. Yet he never flailed out at these things; just a sharp barb encased in a smiling remark told of the object of his irritation that there was a better way to behave. His family cherishes his favorite expression, EQUANIMITY of which he was the epitome. His professional colleagues will remember his consistent wisdom and drive for personal excellence, both tempered by a warm sense of humor. His neighbors will remember his concern for the community and the people he served so loyally. The parishioners at Our lady of Lourdes, where Peter served as a lector, will recall his eloquence and dedication. To an extent far greater than is true of most of those leaving the "rock bound highland home," Pete continued to help classmates, in a collective sense. When it became known at the 25th Reunion that through the special generosity of a classmate, 1951 would have an opportunity to make an unprecedented, substantive, living contribution to West Point, Pete was quick to accept the challenge. His dedication, sound structuring, and numerous careful presentations, won the approval from the Association of Graduates, to establish the 1951 Class Endowment Fund. A precedent was set. The Fund with Peter at the helm commenced on a goal to swell the coffers, from about $30,000, to a quarter million. His work to that end became a real labor of love, and as of the time of his death, in less than 2 years, the Fund was within $10,000 of its goal. Many worked as fundraisers, but those who did agree that none dedicated himself so entirely to the establishment and perfection of the Fund, always careful to protect its purpose, as Pete. In a way, it is regrettable that future cadets who will benefit from projects the Fund will underwrite, will not know the extent of Pete Kuhn's help in making such possible. Yet it's an even greater tribute to him, that Pete would not have sought any special plaudits for himself. What the Endowment Fund will accomplish, must be considered, in part, a monument to him. A classmate who attended the funeral observed; "I can only guess what ran through people's minds at the graveside service. Peter's honorary pallbearers seemed to reach back for a straighter back and a firmer stance. Father McCormick reached back for a stronger voice, as he read the scriptures. Most importantly, the Kuhn family stood by him, with the personal dignity and warmth that so mirrors Peter. At the end of the ceremony I resolved to walk away without turning back, yet I couldn't manage it. I was compelled to look back even though self-consciously. I was not alone. There is no real way to catch fully what Peter meant to so many. There was too much about him to know in one lifetime. Perhaps Shakespeare comes closest: "His life was gentle, and the elements so mix'd in him, that nature might stand up and say to all the world, this was a man." Camilla, Mark, Lucy, and Emma note with pride, though Peter's "flame" has been untimely extinguished, the warmth from his "glow" will endure forever. Classmates and Family. jac; 18185 + Obit, wc 981

admin