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and Intellectual Productivity |
Pat Ensor
University of Houston Libraries
plensor@uh.edu
Paul was one of those people you only have to contact briefly in order to feel a tremendous positive impact. I have been inspired by his warmth, his availability, and the humanity of his vision. The world is a poorer place without him, but he lives on with us in many ways. Thanks for this opportunity to comment on this shattering loss.
Marjorie E. Bloss
Center for Research Libraries
I am stunned at the news of Paul's death. Like many others, I had worked with him on programs and on committees and found him a dynamic force -- but one with a warm sense of humor, and with an encompassing openess that did not exclude people who knew less than he. My heart goes out to all his professional colleagues, for we have lost an important leader in today's quickly changing world. Even more, my heart goes out to his family for their loss is beyond imagination.
Czeslaw Jan Grycz
Univ of Calif (Retired); Poniecki Foundation
grycz@well.com
Paul, Greetings!
When we exchanged e-mail the other day and I was impressed, anew, at how always personal were your communications; how you, reliably, found time to individually answer a query or respond to a note.
Your leadership has meant a great deal in these transitional times during which CNI was created. But it is your friendship I'll miss. I have no doubt this is true of others. Your ability to accomplish serious work while establishing bonds of personal community (spiced so often with lighthearted laughter) were much of the reason for your success... you exemplified a model we will do well to emulate.
I particularly appreciated your insistence at getting to the tough questions and the difficult issues. It forced me to take more seriously the shape of work in which I was lucky to be involved. At the same time, you were supportive, too, of projects that reached out to new constituencies, especially the disenfranchised. What was remarkable to me was that your support of such projects didn't blur your focus or your goals for CNI or dilute them, but rather expanded CNI's (and your) impact.
It is said that when we die, it is a sign that our work on this earth is done. It seems hardly possible that this could be true of you, who appeared to be hitting a particularly productive stride in your life. It is however, undeniably true that your work will henceforth have to be carried forward by the countless people in whom you've instilled your enthusiasm, standards, vision, and motivation. This will not be easy; and you will be sorely missed.
Neither does the image of "resting in peace" seem to fit the dynamic and always inquisitive demeanor, I knew. No doubt in the life hereafter there will be someone to recognize that "resting" is not your style, Paul.
We, who once again face our vulnerability in your death, pray that your spirit find its proper place. We hope, too, that living - as fully as you had - will earn a measure of compensation sufficient to balance the sorrow you leave behind.
Chet
Madeleine McPherson
University of Southern Queensland
The death of Paul Evan Peters is a great shock. I only met him a few times, and heard him speak as often, but regarded him as one of the most effective thinkers, communicators and catalysts for cooperative initiative in the profession. Because he was also such a likable person, I'm sure there will be many in Australia who will share your sense of the loss of someone precious and irreplacable.
Steve Worona
Cornell University
slw1@cornell.edu
Richard West's words are painfully apt: The impact of Paul's loss is hard to comprehend and impossible to overstate. He saw... he knew... he understood... he articulated and organized. And he built... idea after idea, project after project... from a seemingly never-ending wellspring of insights into what the important problems were and how to take that all-important first step towards solutions. He created synergy from disorder, bringing together people and concepts that would have been unaware of each other's existence without his mind-opening introductions. He set the directions we will be following for years to come, but now without the ongoing benefit of his unerring compass. This truly is an incomprehensible tragedy!
Donald Spicer
Vanderbilt University
Paul was the embodiment of CNI, from its founding until today. The energy of the organization and the spirit of its meetings eminated from him and his presence. It is hard to imagine a gathering without him leading us. It will be very hard to even come together in a couple of weeks.
Susan Barnes
Mann Library, Cornell University
sjb5@cornell.edu
I last saw Paul this past July when he and Rosemarie took me with them to see Independence Day. I'm so glad to have had the chance to spend that last lighthearted time with the two of them
Paul had a very big influence on my career and my life. I will miss him terribly.
Dorothy Coakley
San Francisco Public Library/Bernal Heights
I am very sorry to hear of Paul's death. Member of the cyberspace community have lost a friend and mentor.
Vicky York
Montana State University-Bozeman
I heard Paul Evans Peters speak on a number of occasions and was always stimulated by his presentations. He was a true visionary and perhaps more importantly, a true coalition builder. He saw a place for all the stakeholders in creating an information community. His legacy is one of possibilites from which we can continue to move forward.
Vint Cerf
MCI Communications Corporation
vint_cerf@mcimail.com
Paul was a source of inspiration, education and vision for many of us in the computer and communications community. He energized a segment of the academic population that often felt itself to be outside the glowing heart of a modern revolution and made them wholly a part of it.
His puckish humor and zest for living will long be remembered and appreciated as much as his vision and drive will be missed.
I hope that his family will learn from his many colleagues that his memory will live on in their own works and that he has left an indelible mark in the history of cyberspace.
Vint Cerf
Gary Gisondi
New York Public Library
ggisondi@nypl.org
It was a privilege to work with Paul during his all-too-brief stay at NYPL. An inspiring colleague, he helped me and my cohorts launch the Library's first local area network at Lincoln Center--at a time when not everyone here yet shared his vision of the future, which has become our present. I grieve his passing and know our community will miss him greatly.
Gary Gisondi Research Libraries Network Administrator The New York Public Library
November 19, 1996
Barbara M. Robinson
Robinson & Associates
broeo@aol.com
I, like so many others, am deeply saddened by Paul's death. I valued his counsel and wit. I mourn his loss personally as well as for all of us in the profession. There are far too few visionarionaries. And in these turbulent times Paul's wisdom was so energizing and inspiring. I hope that CNI will bring us all together to celebrate his life and to comfort one another.
I quote a favorite passage from The Union Prayer Book:
We stand in awe of all created things, The power within them that gives them form The ancient law that rules them all: Fish of the sea, birds of the air The quiet stone and the beating wave All woven from a single loom. We stand in awe of all created things. We stand in awe of courage, Honor to those who endure The seeker, the giver, the one who loves, All who sing and all who weep The one who makes his loss a gain The one who gives his heart to life. Honor to those who endure And honor to all who are just. To be just, upright, and faithful: Let this and this alone give joy To reach as high as one may dare And do not hurt and kill no hope: Let this and this alone give joy.
Terry Carroll
Cooley Godward, LLP
carroll@tjc.com
I did not know Paul, except insofar as he shows up in his work, including CNI and its mailing lists. However, I've very appreciative of his work to establish this forum for the exchange of information and for education. Rest well, Paul.
Kerry Webb
CSIRO Australia
kwebb@cmis.csiro.au
To inspire means to breathe life into. Paul was an inspiration to many of us.
Alex Byrne, President
Council of Australian University Librarians
alex.byrne@ntu.edu.au
Members of the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) and other colleagues throughout Australia, have been very saddened to learn of the untimely death of Paul Evan Peters. He was a most valued colleague and friend to many of us. We valued our interaction with him, both personally and professionally.
Paul Evan Peters's contributions to the development of global networked information resources has been immense and will be his enduring legacy. It will continue to provide inspiration and example to us in Australia and to colleagues throughout the world.
Our hearts go out to his wife, family and friends.
Alex Byrne
President Council of Australian University Librarians
Chris Groeneveld
Koninklijke Bibliotheek, The Netherlands
chris.groeneveld@konbib.nl
Paul's contribution to the freedom of information and scholarship is invaluable. His death is a great loss for the library and information user community.
Dan Iddings
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
iddingsd@clpgh.org
He will be truely missed by those of us how were his friends and those of us who aimed to be his colleague. Few of us will ever be in his league.
Dr. Robert Philip Weber
InterTrust Technologies Corporation
weber@intertrust.com
I'm very sad and dismayed to learn of Paul's death. He was an "original".
Linda D. Miller
Library of Congress
lmil@loc.gov
I guess that I am still in shock. Your announcement on the web makes the impossible seem somehow real. We will all miss him terribly. Those of us in the Washington area will all be monitoring the web page to find out about local arrangements, etc. I know that the LITA Newsletter is acting now to prepare a memorial tribute.
Peter Stone
p.t.stone@niss.ac.uk
Paul: from across the Atlantic, we will miss you badly.
Your enthusiasm, and willingness to catch a 'plane to enthuse colleagues worldwide, are irreplaceable.
I cannot thank you enough for the pleasure of sharing your explorations into new territories of knowledge - an infectious delight which had led many, many, of us to overcome caution and work together towards greater goals.
Peter
Joseph Romano
Visual Resources Association
Joseph.Romano@oberlin.edu
I am very saddened to learn of the death of Paul. Although I did not know him very well personally, having only met him for the first time about a year ago, I was always impressed with his leadership abilities. He had a wonderful way of bringing together diverse groups of people for discussion and civil debate.
Joseph Romano
Dr. Ching-chih Chen
Simmons College (Grad. School of Lib. & Info. Sci.
cchen@vmsvax.simmons.edu
I served at the Board of LITA with Paul when he was LITA President, and also served with him on ALA Council. This is such a shock to learn of his most untimely death. Paul was a dynamic leader who shall be sorely missed! My deepest sympathy to his wife, other family members, and the staff of CNI.
Neil Smith
The British Library London
I was shocked and greatly saddened to hear the news of Paul's death. I had only been in touch with him 2 weeks ago to ask him if he would contribute a piece to a book the British Library is producing. Typically, he immediately said yes.
I know that I speak for other British Library colleagues who knew Paul in saying that he always showed great interest in what was happening on this side of the Atlantic and was genuinely keen to see more contact between the US and the UK. I will personally miss his humour and enthusiasm even though we only managed to meet 2 or 3 times each year.
I'd also like to pass on our condolences to all the CNI staff - especially Joan and Craig, and my personal condolences to Paul's wife Rosemarie.
Neil Smith Assistant Director, Digital Library Programme The British Library London W1V 4BH UK
GraceAnne A. DeCandido
H. W. Wilson Company
gdecandido@wlb.hwwilson.com
Once, in the pages of the late, lamented Wilson Library Bulletin, I wrote a report of a CNI conference and called Paul "the pied piper of the net." I always thought of him that way. His enthusiasm was grounded in his luminous intelligence. And he was a terrifically nice guy.
I loved the story he often told of how the net was now in a hunter-gatherer anthroological stage, where the pioneers would leave their own little information valleys and venture over the next virtual ridge, bringing back ever-new morsels.
I will miss him very much indeed.
Richard P. Hulser
IBM Corporation, Higher Education
rhulser@vnet.ibm.com
A great colleague, an inspiration, and an amiable philosopher about the information universe are but a few words to describe Paul Peters, though I think it would take volumes to relay a full appreciation of him and his contribution to our profession.
I am sure each of us who knew him could relay many stories about our interesting and fun conversations and experiences with him. His leadership, knowledge and friendship, combined with a great sense of humor, will truly be missed.
R Bruce Miller
University of California, San Diego
rbmiller@ucsd.edu
TO: paul@cni.org FROM: rbm I'm gonna miss you a lot. I'll miss your warm teddy bear hug, but I won't miss your spirit, your humor, and your love because they are the legacy that you have left us. Thanks for being part of my life.
Douglas Greenberg
Chicago Historical Society
douglasg@chicagohs.org
From my earliest contact with Paul while I was Vice President of the American Council of Learned Societies, I found him a stimulating colleague and an endless source of ideas and enthusiasm. I think we met before CNI had even been officially "rolled out", and I knew immediately that I was in the presence of a person of rare vision and imagination. His leadership of CNI was brilliant, but he was also fine and humane man who brought a breadth of perspective and interest to his work that is rare. We had seen less of each other since my move to Chicago, but our occasional contacts were always warm and laughter-filled. I will miss him.
Eileen Hitchingham
University Libraries , Virginia Tech
hitch@vt.edu
My first reaction was an "Oh no!" and a feeling that I had to jump up from the computer and tell someone what a terrible loss we had all suffered.
For me Paul was such a vital, central part of what I have seen as the revolutionary and evolutionary changes in the world of information, that I can't get beyond seeing the void that he leaves.
My sympathy to all his family and friends.
George Brett
Boulder Public Library
ghb@sherman.bouler.lib.co.us
I'll miss Paul in ways that are hard to write. He had a way with words, ideas, and especially people that I have always admired.
Such a gentle person. God Bless you Paul.
Karen Wielhorski
Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas
Karenw@sfasu.edu
As the Co-chair of the Texas Library Association Annual Conference, I invited Paul to speak as our keynote speaker this past April. In the short time he was with us in Houston, I felt I got to know him as both a challenging national leader in his field as well as a warm and friendly person. I remember his love of Thai food, and his discussions about science fiction. I will miss his wit and wisdom and haven't begun to realize how his absence will impact our national dialog on the development of networked information environments. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, and to the great CNI folks who worked with him.
Kenneth M. King
CREN
kmk7@cornell.edu
Paul was always a person who could light up your day. Just looking at that smiling and unboundedly optimistic face always reassured me that everything was possible. There was noone more fun to drink with than Paul. He had a world class sense of humor, a keen mind, and he was an inexhaustible source of information and insight. Wherever technology was headed, Paul was sure to know where you could find the action. He had a vision of information transforming the world. He helped push the envelope. He was a wonderful friend and colleague who enriched my life and I will never forget the fun we had together.
Rosanne Farkas
Bibliographic Asst., Columbia Univ. Libraries
rf4@columbia.edu
Paul Peters was a real human being. We support staff in Bibliographic Searching at CUL had frequent contact with Paul in the '80s since our dept. was the forefront of RLIN production. Paul never arrived in the dept. without first greeting the support staff heartily. He was always a welcome colleague to our dept. head, who much appreciated his wit and humor as well as his ability to unravel systems problems. At this sad time we can only console ourselves with thoughts of his many professional contributions and the fact that he was able to lead an active life to the very end. Searching at CUL had frequent contact with him in the '80s as our dept. was in the forefront of RLIN production. Paul never arrived to trouble- -shoot systems problems without first greeting support staff heartily. His wit and humor were as much appreciated by our dept. head as his ability ility to unravel systems snafus. At this sad time we can only console ourselves with thoughts of his many professional contributions and the fact that he was able to lead an active life to the very end.
Michael LaCroix
Creighton University - Reinert/Alumni Memorial Lib
lacroix@creighton.edu
I was fortunate that I had the opportunity to hear Mr. Peters speak at several different library and CAUSE events. I was always impressed by his articulate vision of information resources, access, and distribution. His presence and advocacy will be sorely missed!
Bob Rosenberg
Thomas A. Edison Papers, Rutgers University
rarosenb@rci.rutgers.edu
As a minor player at CNI meetings, I was always flattered by Paul's remembering who I was and what I did. He set a tone for the organization that was at once relaxed and serious. I can only imagine that he was a good person to work for and with, someone who will be deeply missed, and I extend my condolences to all who knew him well.
Carole S. Armstrong
Michigan State University
armstr15@pilot.msu.edu
while I cannot say that I knew Paul very well, I have always been impressed by his ability to communicate complex concepts in a very understandable way. I recall when he came to speak with the Heads of Science Libraries Discussion Group (ACRL/STS) about the ARL/AAU task force on science and technolgy information. He presented the information and led a discussion in a way that we all felt we had a much better understanding of the issues.
I have also had the privilege of observing Paul's interactions at recent ARL meetings and have been grateful for his comments.
His death is a great loss to the information field. My sympathy is extended to his family and colleagues.
David Zeidberg
The Huntington Library
zeidberg@huntington.org
Paul and I first met when we were participants in the 1983 ARL Academic Library Consultant Training Program. We were on the same team assigned to LC for a project, and, as with everyone else who knew him, I began a great friendship. His generosity was unlimited: he looked after my daughter Lara the year their lives crossed in New York when Paul was still at Columbia. I remember his comment when he first met her at Grand Central and she showed up with enough luggage for a world tour -- "I should have brought bearers," he said. You all knew as I did that what made his brilliance in our work was his great wit and gentleness underlying his keen intelligence and pragmatism.
While we have been in touch on-and-off through email over the years, I last had a chance to talk with Paul at length at the RBMS conference in Santa Cruz. He was one of those rare friends one has in life who can pick up the thread where it was left off, perhaps years earlier. It is a smaller world now without him.
I would like to be able to write a personal note to Rosemarie if someone at CNI could give me her address.
--David Zeidberg
Andrew Prescott
British Library/London Guildhall University
andrew.prescott@bl.uk
Paul was an inspiring pioneer who, it seemed to me, in many ways acted as the conscience of the Library networking community. This is a catastrophic loss at a critical time.
Jan Merrill-Oldham
Harvard University Library
jmo@harvard.edu
Paul. The first person I ever heard speak about the National Information Infrastructure. Expounding behind a tall brew, colleagues enraptured, in some godforsaken restaurant in the south. The first person I ever saw stand before an audience and read a presentation from a laptop screen. No apologies. Thinking, thoughtful; passionate and easy; beautiful. Rosemarie's name tucked into every fifth sentence--or the family "we."
Barbara Paulson
Library of Congress
bpau@loc.gov
Paul was my friend and teacher for ten years. I will miss his wisdom, especially the moments when his quirky humor would light the way to new understanding.
To Rosemarie: You were a help to me at a time when I needed it. I hope I can be of help to you. -- Barbara
Abby Goodrum
University of North Texas
goodrum@lis.unt.edu
A brilliant and beautiful light has gone out of this world.
Steve Metalitz
Smith & Metalitz, L.L.P.
metalitz@iipa.com
Paul was a bridge- and network-builder in the best and truest senses of those overused phrases. He strove to build links between disparate viewpoints and interests, in search not of the "split-the-difference" compromise, but the truly creative solution. His untimely passing is an incredible shock, and he will be sorely missed.
Jan Miller
University of Pittsburgh School of Law
jmiller@law.pitt.edu
There are no words to describe the impact Paul Peters had on my life and the lives of many others around me. Paul gave me my first full-time job 24 years ago and we worked closely together for 6 years thereafter. During that time as my mentor he taught me how to tap my intellect, communicate my ideas and love the sharing of knowledge. "Learners," he used to say, "make the best informers." I have found truth in his words over and over again throughout my life. More importantly, he was my very dear friend and we spent many hours together working and playing with the abandon of a youthful collaboration that is not encumbered by the limits of time. Even after Paul left the Pittsburgh area we kept in touch, visiting in New York, and more recently in Washington, or via email when we couldn't seem to be in the same place at the same time for extended periods. We had the kind of friendship that was not defined by the frequency of our encounters, but rested in the way in which we could so easily pick up where we had left off, no matter how long ago or far away we had last met. While I could write pages about Paul, his wonderful wit and wise ways, my words somehow pale in the face of my feelings. I once attended a presentation he gave when his last two slides advised "Change is Inevitable," and "Embrace the Inevitable." Somehow, losing Paul presents the greatest challenge to those words. He was loved and will be missed.
Judith Axler Turner
judith@turner.net
My heart goes out to all those at CNI who had the pleasure of working with him, and to his wife and family. May you all find comfort in your memories. I will, too.
Oren Sreebny
University of Washington
oren@cac.washington.edu
I'm terribly shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Paul's death. I think of Paul as being a true leader - not just in terms of his tireless professional activities, but one of those rare people who every contact with left me enrichened in some new way - whether it was his insights on the ways business approached collaborative activities or his latest science fiction find. Paul has had an enormous influence at the intersection of information and technology where so many of us are now spending our lives, and I can't quite imagine us groping into the future without him. I think I'll probably always now regret not taking him up on his offer to join the crew for a drink in the hotel lobby at Educom.
John Curley
National Research Council Canada
john.curley@nrc.ca
I met Paul during the harbour dinner cruise of the Internet Society Conference in Kobe in 1992. We invited him to give a talk here at CISTI (Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information) on the topic of objectives of CNI, and subsequently invited him back to Ottawa as featured speaker in our first "Government on the Net" conference in 1994. He was great at communicating perspective, at seeing the forest not just trees, at getting diverse groups to see common directions.
He was among the warmest people I have met. As I think back it is easy to remember many insights presented humourously, and small accommodations -- for example greeting new CNI delegates by name on arrival, or during his visits here, being infinitely accommodating to those wanting some of his time to discuss anything from document standards to electronic democracy. He was a people person who always found the time.
To his family and friends, I am sure I echo my colleagues' sentiments here to say that our hearts are with you on this sad occasion.
Joseph Grant
Free Book Information Library (www.bookzen.com)
jgrant@bookzen.com
Paul was not only a remarkable person, he was a visionary and, in the truest sense, an INCREDIBLE librarian. We are fortunate that he inspired so many students and fellow librarians who will carry his visions forward.
j. grant
Billie Joy Reinhart
Cleveland State University
b.reinhart@csuohio.edu
Although I had only met Paul for a few minutes after two presentations - one in Ohio and one at ALA, I was most impressed by his warmth and real concern for others. He was one of the unique leaders who who treated all he met as equals. He gave the same attention to a simple question from a student as he would to statements of experts in the field. He seemed to encourage others in their intellectual persuits. This knowledgeable humanitarian will be missed
David Smallen
Hamilton College
dsmallen@hamilton.edu
Progress in any activity is largely due to the people that invest their energies in it. Paul was a person who made a difference - we should be thankful for the time he was with us and the work that he accomplished.
Kathryn J. Deiss
ARL/OMS
kdeiss@cni.org
I offer my deep condolences to Paul's family. To his wife, Rosemarie, I offer my most profound sympathy.
As one of his colleagues, I, too, grieve at his untimely death. Visual images of Paul have been appearing in my mind (sometimes involuntarily) -- almost all of these vivid images are of Paul laughing and enjoying the company of his colleagues and friends. He showed many, by example, that living each moment with relish was the only way.
He will not be replaced in action, thought, or word by anyone. We, in the library and technology worlds, owe him a great debt for the stimulus and vision he brought to our enterprises. Personally, I will miss him very much.
Peter Graham
Rutgers University
psgraham@rci.rutgers.edu
These pages can only begin the process of expressing the loss and heartbreak we feel, for the technology is still too cool a medium for us. Yet it is important and meaningful for all and any of us to add to this virtual cairn our love for Paul and the way we miss his organizing, human warmth. We will express ourselves in many ways, as Paul did. --pg
Jennifer Cram
Queensland Department of Education, Australia
jcram@qednsl.qld.gov.au
I first met Paul in 1994 at the ALA conference in Miami. I had already ready a great deal of his writing and had a high level of professional respect for his achievements. The wonderful surprise was how nice a person he turned out to be! He will be sadly missed by the profession, but his legacy will live on in the achievements he paved the way for.
Karen Storin Summerhill
Georgetown University Law Library
summerhi@law.georgetown.edu
Paul was one of those people with the great gift of really enjoying what he did, and his gift to so many of us was helping us to enjoy and understand his vision. Every time I heard Paul speak, I came away with at least one solid new idea, and many more thought-provoking questions, jotted down to be pondered later.
As a professional, he was truly stellar, neither indulging in self-promotion, nor retreating to the ivory (or is it silicon these days?)tower. As a person he was kind and generous, and a lot of fun.
What a loss for us all.
Karen Campbell
Hamline University
kmcampbe@piper.hamline.edu
Paul Peters was an inspiration to me from the time I began running across his name during Library School. I had decided to learn as much as I could about libraries and networks, as I was sure this was the future of information and librarians needed to stake a role in that future. I found a great deal of support for that view in Paul's work.
In 1994, I ran across a reference to a talk Paul had given in which he talked about the dawn of the Mesoelectronic Era. As a former geologist, I was intrigued by this metaphor and hunted down his e-mail address in order to ask if there were plans to publish the talk. He responded by sending me the entire unpublished talk vie e-mail! I have used a paraphrase from it as my .sig file ever since and have never grown tired of it.
I did have the opportunity to hear Paul speak at Educom in October and was impressed by his knowledge and humility. The library and networked information worlds have truly lost a visionary leader.
****************************************************************************
Karen Campbell Bush Library
Reference/Technology Librarian Hamline University
kmcampbe@piper.hamline.edu St. Paul, MN 55104
We are "web weavers and dancers at the dawn of the Meso-electronic period"
--Paul Evan Peters, 1947-1996
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Evan Alan Reader
California State University, Chancellor's Office
evan_reader@calstate.edu
My heartfelt condolences go out to Paul's family as well as to the CNI staff. I can't imagine how we'll get along without him. His good humor, friendship and spirit made CNI events something we all looked forward to with great expectation. Indeed, he will be missed.
Phyllis S. Mirsky
University of California, San Diego
psmirsky@ucsd.edu
It is only appropriate that we use the technology that Paul so effectively championed to recall our fond memories of him. But using the electronic airwaves doesn't lessen the pain of our loss. Those of us who worked with Paul over the years recognize that his energy and vision served as the engine for moving both the profession and society toward effective use of technology.
We will miss him terribly.
Eliot Christian
Government Information Locator Service
echristi@usgs.gov
On behalf of all those involved in the Government Information Locator Service and related initiatives, I would like to express our deep sense of loss. Paul was an essential guiding light for us and an inspiration to me personally. I remember especially how Paul spoke eloquently and with great humor at the several GILS-related conferences over the years. He always made us feel uplifted, enlightened, and fortified to share with him the great tasks that lay before us at this critical juncture in human history.
It was our great privelege to know Paul and to work with him--for this we will always be thankful.
Charlotte Kuh
National Research Council
ckuh@nas.edu
It is trite to say I am shocked and saddened by Paul's death--but I am. We at the NRC were working with him to try to help define the NRC's role in understanding the implications, especially for higher education, of the emerging ubiquity of networked interaction. Paul was a source of insight and encouragement in an amazingly complex area. Not only that--but he was a wonderful person to have lunch with--witty, humorous, and awfully smart. I don't think he can be replaced--but I hope CNI will continue his good work.
Scott Langhorst
Virginia Community College System
solangs@so.cc.va.us
In the early 1990's, I was a "newbie" going to my first EDUCOM and other similar conferences. The world of networked information, cyberspace, and "new" learning paradigms was quite confusing --- until I heard Paul talk. He was a clear voice in the babble, a friendly smile, and radiated a genuine interest in our mutual struggles to harness technology for education.
Jill Arnold
University of Michigan
jillar@umich.edu
I was truly shocked to read of Paul's death; he will be sorely missed. I had the opportunity to get to meet with Paul and his wife last summer at the CAUSE Board meeting and then at Seminars for Academic Computing. I was so impressed by his vision; his quiet yet compelling personality; his caring ways.
He will be missed and all of you close to him are in my thoughts.
Hazel Gott
UKOLN, Bath, England
h.a.gott@ukoln.ac.uk
It was with a great sense of shock and sadness that I heard of Paul's sudden and untimely death. As Richard West intimates, his loss can hardly yet be imagined as it will be so profound.
In my dealings with Paul, concerning conferences over the past couple of years, I have found that he always had time - time to encourage; help; advise - time for anyone, whether 'important' or not, and he was so generous with his appreciation.
May I add my sympathies to his wife and family, and to his colleagues. Paul will be sorely missed on both sides of the Atlantic.
Paula Kaufman
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
pkaufman@utk.edu
My long association with Paul dates back to the time we spent together at the Columbia University Libraries. I knew when I first met him, and when I had the opportunity to work with him throughout the ensuing years, that he was someone very special. Special for his vision, his analytical abilities, and his talent for rallying people with diverse perspectives around critically important issues. Paul was a wonderful colleague, professional leader, and friend.
Larry Rapagnani
University of Notre Dame
rapagnani.1@nd.edu
Paul was a visionary, scholar and friend. He really had a great sense of humor. A devotion to family was what he talked about most when not in a formal speaking role. I know he really loved his wife and what he was doing at CNI.
He could make the most complex subject understood. Take the Internet for example with all DC complexities associated with it. His leadership, keen insight, and exuberance has had an impact on all of us associated with the CNI program.
He will be missed by one and all. For me, this is a great personal loss.
Richard Giordano
Brown University & University of Manchester (UK)
rich@cs.man.ac.uk
Paul,
I can write about our long friendship and professional relationship, but you know, and I know, that I would not be the person I am today if it weren't for you. You'll be in my heart, always.
/rich
Sharon Royal
CNI
sharon@cni.org
Paul was a wonderful boss. No other can touch his style and grace. He was always there to hear any problems you may have and gave suggestion on how to solve them, if he didn't do it for you. I will never forget the time when I threaten to spank him, and he said "Yeah, yeah, promises, promises, Sharon".
And he was also a very good friend. I will never forget what he has done for me and my son.
Paul Vassallo
National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST
paul.vassallo@nist.gov
Such ability, such tenacity, such affability, such grace, such imagination, such creativity, such commanding authority, such amiability - all embodied in one person, Paul Evan Peters, now gone. How sad for all of us who knew him and benefitted from his having been here. Vaya con dios, Paul.
Linda J. Knutson
Nicolet Federated Library System (Green Bay, WI)
lknutson@mail.wiscnet.net
I worked with Paul in my capacity as the Executive Director of the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) on many projects during the eight or nine years ending in 1995. Paul was Program Chair of the 1988 LITA National Conference; he was responsible for the LITA President's Program in 1990 in which the NREN (National Research and Education Network) was first brought to the American Library Association community at it's Annual Conference that summer. That program completely filled standing and sitting space in a huge room, and became the event of the conference. Next Paul and a few colleagues formed the LITA Imagineers Interest Group, which continues to this day to bring imaginative and cutting edge programming to the ALA and LITA conferences; persistently challenging the traditional viewpoints of change by bringing the best and brightest of science fiction writers who explore the new and emerging meanings of community in the advancing and future technological world. In addition, the Imagineers provided a home for dozens of like-minded bright librarians, of all ages, who otherwise might not have found a comfortable niche in the land of library associations.
Not surprisingly, Paul was elected to the LITA Presidency, serving the 1991-1992 term. He was by this time working at CNI, and as LITA President invited myself and the LITA Program Officer to attend the CNI meetings for that year... and we were able to continue to participate in subsequent years. Thus Paul helped LITA network with representatives of the many constituencies represented in CNI and participating in their programs. Many of the CNI representatives were also LITA members, if not leaders, and thus the general profession benefitted as LITA and other units of the American Library Association enriched the conference programs.
Paul worked so well with individuals, and was always becoming a mentor for yet one more young librarian with promise. And he was always there to make sure the contributors to information technology were recognized for their individual contributions. Working at a level where it would be easy to forget the individual participant; Paul always made sure that those he had recruited to contribute were recognized.
I will personally find it difficult to imagine our profession without Paul Evan Peters being in the leadership as we move into the 21st century; for he was one of the handful of leaders I could depend upon for vision and courage as we move into the next millenium.
My sincerest condolences to Paul's marvelous wife Rosemary, whom I have had the pleasure to meet, and to his parents and brother.
Philip Tompkins
Indian University Purdue University Indianapolis
Tompkins@iupui.edu
Paul Evan Peters may be succeeded but he will not be replaced. With a gift for grasping the shifting topographies of highly technical developments, he was able totranslate them into prose that was both illustrative and enjoyable. His capacity for successful professional endeavors as well as for personal friendship was a rare and unusual gift. "Once a friend, Paul was a friend for life," said a colleague of his recently.
He also had an enviable capacity to withstand the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune with wit and humor -- both within and without the Beltway.
Those of us in higher education were able to rest well at day's end knowing that Paul was there. And now all is changed.
"Margaret, are you grieving, Over Golden Grove unleaving...?"
(Gerard Manley Hopkins)
Louise S. Sherby
Hunter College
lsherby@hejira.hunter.cuny.edu
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Paul's death. He will be sorely missed by the library community. My deepest sympathy to Rosemarie.
Lisa Covi
University of Michigan
covi@umich.edu
On a very personal note, I am deeply shocked and grieved to hear of Paul's death. Not only did we work together at Columbia University and when I was at EDUCOM, but he was very supportive of my dissertation work which I recently completed. As recently as last week, we exchanged email about it. Although I know how busy he was, he always seemed to have time for a few words with me. The world seems a little colder knowing I will never see Paul again. His enthusiasm and friendship will be present to me through my work for years to come.
Lisa Covi
Jim Tuccy
University of Denver
jtuccy@du.edu
I did not Paul well, but heard from him very often via his CNI e-mail postings.
I'm sure someone will continue the postings but I will miss the wit and style he included in those brief messages. I will also miss what he provided through his conference presentations and writings.
Jim Tuccy
Jean Armour Polly
Net-mom.com
polly@well.com
I will miss sitting in the audience while Paul gives a trademarked, vintage speech, full of literary allusion, puns, and clever metaphor. Clearly, the cutting-edge profession of "cybrarian hunter-gatherer" started with this man. I am sorry for the generations of cybrarians who will come after Paul, and not know him as we did.
Paul was an avid birder. I have to think that, in this season, he's simply heard the call of another migration.
"And when he dies, he says he'll catch some blackbird's wing,
and he will fly along to heaven."
- "Gulf Coast Highway" Nanci Griffith
I wish him well, and my condolences to his family and fellow workers.
Michael Matthews
USAID
My sincerest condolences. It is a true shock to hear of Paul's death. He will indeed be missed.
Karen Hunter
Elsevier Science
k.hunter@elsevier.com
When CNI first started, Paul thought there was a place within CNI for commercial publishers. Not all members agreed with him, nor with his decision to encourage me (and my company) to become an active participant. That took courage on his part, and I hope over time most of those who were opposed came to agree with his actions. Paul created within the CNI framework a space in which companies such as Elsevier could interact with university colleagues with a minimum of formality or constraint. In our case, TULIP was a direct result and CNI unofficially fostered TULIP's development throughout. Paul had the sense and flexibility to give us all the opportunity and room to find within the CNI framework that which worked best for each of us. My condolances to his wife and his colleagues at CNI, ARL, CAUSE and EDUCOM. He did something which made a difference and he will be greatly missed.
Gleason Sackman
Net-happenings
gleason@rrnet.com
Paul will be missed by all!
Jim Cleary
I was saddened to hear of the death of Paul Evan Peters. I met him at the
Internet Conference in Kobe, June 1992.it was the last day of the conference
and Paul had a pocket full of yen to get rid of so he bought me lunch and a
drink before heading back to the USA. I was struck by his friendliness and
interest in someone new to the Internet from far away Australia. He was a
genuine intellectual with a wide ranging interest in ideas and a visionary who
will be sorely missed.
Richard C. Rockwell
With good humor, insight, and vision, Paul Evans Peters was an
inspirational leader for the enormous community that has been trying to mold
the Internet into the kind of intellectual resource that it should be. He
constructed essential conversations that were not occurring in any other
venue, conversations involving libraries, researchers, publishers, software
houses, funders of development and implementation, and users. Paul understood
the principal issues -- technology, content, finding tools, property rights,
economics -- and helped us to focus upon them effectively. He always reminded
us that what we know today is certainly not what we will deal with tomorrow.
He was there at a time that we needed him. We still need him, but what he
accomplished has made us better-prepared to proceed ahead without him. On
behalf of the 350 colleges and universities in North America that constitute
the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research and the
members outside North America, I express to the staff and board of CNI our
deepest condolences.
Mary Ellen Tucker
My deepest sympathy to his family for this untimely loss. I knew Paul in
his early days at Columbia. He had a special talent even then for being able
to explain complex technical problems to "regular folks". He will be
missed.
Terry Kuny
There are so very few people whose passion and intelligence drives an
entire profession forward. Paul was certainly one of the few. His voice was a
tenor of our time; the loss of this voice diminishes the chorus of all of us
who care about libraries and education.
Ron Larsen
Paul,
You are the warmth of a bright sunny day shining on all, the richness of a
field of wildflowers carried by the four winds, the spirit of a thoroughbred
unconstrained by tradition. You touched many lives; you touched mine. Peace
be with you.
Good bye, dear friend. Ron
Sandy Paul
Paul was one of the "brightest lights" in my life -- I smile every time I
think of him.
Having convinced him to become the Chair of NISO, I enjoyed watching his
ability to turn those in the vendor community -- publishers and
wholesalers/retailers of books and journals -- into active participants in
NISO and then in CNI. He had an amazing understanding of the demands the
future would place upon us and the importance of every sector of the
intellectual community developing a shared vision and set of expectations.
I so very much appreciated his warmth, his perspective, his joy of life,
his open arms, the people he brought into my life, and his wisdom. I will
miss him as we move into the future, trying to achieve the imporant goals he
envisioned for all of us.
Sandy Paul
Frieda M. Davison
I have delayed posting my comments until now because I was (and still am)
having a very difficult time trying to comprehend the death of my dear, dear
friend Paul. Paul and I worked together at Columbia (along with many others
who have commented on these pages) at a time when it was just downright
awesome to be a part of that insititution. We worked hard and we played hard.
Many of our work problems were solved in the midst of our play. In
particular, I am remember margarita parties on the roof of our Columbia
apartment building. Paul and Rosemarie lived across the hall from me and
David and Susan Barnes lived four floors down from us in the same building.
Having pizzas delivered to the roof, watching the planes land at LaGuardia,
and caring for each others' cats were all part of it. Paul told me once that
after we and Susan moved into that building, it turned into a dorm rather than
an apartment building.
I still remember how I described Paul to my husband shortly after we moved
there. "You're going to love this guy. He's from Louisville, [Ky.]; he loves
to play pool; and he loves Heaven Hill bourbon." Those of you reading this
must be aware that those three things also describe my husband David. In
fact, Paul was sort of a 17 year younger (and softer) version of David. Their
striking resemblance to each other would sometimes cause interesting incidents
to happen. When the four of us would meet for dinner (as we did at the Cliff
House in San Francisco) people often thought they were father and son. And
the two of them really took advantage of it. Paul would say, "Well, DAD, what
have you been up to?" and David would answer, "Well, SON, not too much!" and
they would be off -- laughing and chuckling and talking about cooking (like
how best to cook a duck or whether it was bean soup or soup beans), Male and
Saint X high schools in Louisville and their respective knee problems from
playing football, politics (which Rosemarie always got carried away with and
they would end up letting her have the floor and just sort of smiling at each
other) and on and on until the wee hours of the morning or evening or
whatever.
Paul found joy in the simplest of things like watching a squirrel dive
bomb a bird feeder outside his dining room window. He was always ready for
fun like the Halloween parade in New York City or watching the balloons being
blown up for the Macy's Parade. He had a quiet, gentle way of looking at you
as you talked yourself into a corner that he had known all along you couldn't
get out of and yet kindly, with a twinkling eye would calmly lead you back
onto the path that would allow you to grow and learn and never even be
embarrassed that you were SO stupid you could have had those original
thoughts. He always had a ready hug and loved to be hugged himself (he was
cuddly) -- thank you Rosemarie for sharing those hugs with all of us.
I have rambled on for more than my share and I apologize for that. Paul
was so special to all of us. He will always be tucked in that special corner
of our hearts that is reserved for the very few that touch our lives from
heartbeat to heartbeat. I (and David) loved you Paul. Thank you for touching
us, for loving us, for being there when we needed you (oh, so many times).
You will be with use forever and a day.
Frieda
Don Porter
I've been reading these tributes with tears flowing. As Steve Worona says,
this truly is an incomprehensible tragedy. I first met Paul when we worked
together on a committee 8 or 9 years ago. I didn't fully appreciate until now
how much I treasured the small contacts I've had with him then and since. What
a wonderful delightful talented gentle loving person. We must all now find new
depths of insight and creativity in ourselves and others to take up where Paul
left off.
Clay Burrows
I meet Paul about 15 years ago when he was at Columbia University and we
quickly developed very close professional and personal friendship. I could
not have asked for a better mentor and friend. I have worked, played and gone
through personal tragedies with Paul and he would always put every situation
into its proper perspective with wit, humor and understanding. I am sure he
would want us to be positive in this time of grief and to continue to move
ahead with our dreams.
I will keep his sprit alive by remembering his positive outlook on every
situation no matter how dire it may seem. I will celebrate his legacy in
everything I do for the rest of my life. Most of all, I will always be very
proud to say that Paul Peters was one of my very dearest friends.
Cindi Carbine
Paul was my first boss while I was a student in an undergraduate program
and graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh during the 1970s. I knew
Paul as a boss, peer and as a friend. I think Paul always demonstrated quite
compentence, as Richard West described in his remembrances. This quite
compentence is only one of many characteristics that identifies Paul as a
great listener and negoiator.
There are few people in this world who I can count as extraordiary. He is
one them. He has profoundly touch my life in ways I can hardly articulate, and
I am a much better person from knowing him. Paul - you will be remembered with
enornomous affection and missed with great sorrow.
Patrice A. Lyons
It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Paul Peters.
In life, there are few occasions to meet someone who is capable of inspiring
large groups of persons from varied backgrounds and disciplines to work
together toward a better understanding of common goals. Paul was such a
person. His leadership and wise counsel will be missed, but also his
kindness.
Please let me know if I may be of assistance to CNI in carrying forward
the efforts begun by Paul Peters.
Melanie Goldman
To me Paul Peters was a monumental person. He was an inspiration to many
of us trying to shape the Internet and its vast resources into something of
value for research and education. He was a visionary. If Paul was giving a
talk or participating in a workshop, you knew that the event was going to be
exciting and that we would push the boundaries of our understanding. He was a
warm and caring person. I will always remember his friendly smile which
suffused his face when he greeted someone he knew. We will all miss him. My
deepest sympathies to his wife, his family, and to all who worked so closely
with him at CNI.
Bob Bocher
I first met Paul when we served on ALA's TESLA committee in the late '80s.
I very much appreciated his sense of humor and wry whit. Over the years I
shared several conference programs with him and I always enjoyed hearing his
presentations. He had an uncanny ability to articulate a sense of
organization, harmony and vision in what many of us see as a chaotic world of
information and technology. -- Bob Bocher
John Garrett
It's impossible to imagine our shared enterprise without Paul.
In so many ways, Paul created at CNI a safe harbor for people and ideas
which would never otherwise have met, and empowered the creation and
sustenance of a new, common community. Without Paul and CNI, I don't think
that the many collaborations among university folks, researchers, publishers,
non-profits etc. could or would have happened. Without Paul, it's hard to
imagine what happens next.
I remember someone saying after an early CNI meeting that it didn't seem
like Paul actually did anything. I believe it worked so well because Paul
created CNI in his image, rather than the other way around: warm, safe,
secure, welcoming, open. A safe place for a new idea, a new friend, a new
story.
My warmest sympathies to Paul's family, including all of us.
John Garrett
Eileen Shannahan
I wish to offer my condolences to Mr. Peters' family, friends, and
co-workers. As a student of Library and Information Science at USF I have
been made acutely aware of his work and vision for the field I wish to pursue.
I want you to know that his death has greatly saddened my professors and
fellow students.
David Lewis
More than anyone I have known, Paul was able to focus ideas and people so
that wonderful, sometimes impossible, things would happen. I am glad to have
known and worked with him. I am better for it.
Peter Syverson
I first encountered the Paul Evan Peters "magic" when a group of CGS
graduate deans began thinking about transforming dissertations from dry paper
volumes into fully-searchable electronic documents. Paul was immediately
captured by this idea, and threw himself into the project with his
characteristic enthusiasm. The help that we received from Paul, Joan, and the
rest of the CNI folks was crucial in getting the "electronic dissertation"
project off the ground. I am incredibly thankful that there are people like
Paul in this world, and like many others, will miss him.
Carol Mandel
The following notice, drafted by Jef Fall (a colleague of Paul's when they
both were at Columbia), will appear Sunday November 24th on the obituary page
of the New York Times. It is from a group of former colleagues at Columbia,
and I think it expresses the thoughts of many of us:
PETERS, Paul Evan, of Arnold, Maryland, 48. We shall never forget his
patience, his humor, and his gift for making the difficult understandable and
the unlikely come true.
Rosemarie, our thoughts are with you.
Debbie Masters
Such a loss. Such an untimely and tragic loss. For our profession, but
also for our world. How can we have CNI in a few weeks without him? But, how
can we not? It is what we owe him. To carry on his work with energy and with
imagination. It's his legacy to us all; it is our continuing tribute to him.
I had an incredible opportunity to work closely with Paul during a
six-month leave in the spring of 1995 when I worked as a Visiting Program
Officer at CNI. Although I had been attending CNI meetings, and had seen and
heard Paul speak at a variety of other professional meetings, it was really
during my leave that I came to know and appreciate his insights, his energy,
his vision, his thoughtfulness, his caring, and his humor. He welcomed me as
a member of "Team CNI" from the first day, giving me opportunities to
participate in meetings and projects other than the ones on which I was
directly working, and making me feel that I was an integral part of the CNI
effort. The experience of working for and with CNI exceeded all my
expectations, both personally and professionally. It was very hard to leave
and move on. I will remember Paul personally teaching me how to attach files
to e-mail messages and how to modify templates in a database, offering
comments on drafts of materials I was preparing for a workshop we were
offering, encouraging me, listening to my opinions, supporting me with advice
on career opportunities I was exploring, sharing stories of his travels and
adventures, giving me insight into the players and politics in the world of
networked information, and laughing over the "toys" I brought into CNI, and
the "double dactyls" submitted to a newspaper contest.
Joan, Craig, and Jackie--My heart is with you as you cope with this loss.
Rosemarie--My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope that the tributes we
share will offer comfort now and in the future. We share your grief. We mourn
your loss and ours. With deepest sympathy, Debbie
Brian Kahin
Paul was a wonderful collaborator, colleague, and friend. He was a
statesman with a deep affection for people, able to bridge different
perspectives with stunning insight and humor. Paul had a keen understanding
of the interaction between the political and the intellectual. He created a
remarkable sense of community not just around the Coalition as an
organization, but around a constellation of important ideas and issues that
extended in every direction. Paul was, it seems, the apotheosis of networked
information!
Beginning a project with Paul made me feel that anything was possible,
everything was manageable, and it would all be fun. The loss I feel is
enormous, and I shudder to think of the sorrow that Rosemarie and those who
worked with him at the office must be bearing. My heart goes out to you.
Todd D. Kelley
Paul, Your work is not finished, but you knew it never would be. That is
why you were so good at urging us on, inspiring us, and helping us to see and
understand the future through what we knew of the past. You instinctively
knew how to be a great teacher, for this is what a great teacher does. You
were a model for me and many others who needed your light for our path. Thank
you. I will miss you oh so much, yes, but as with all good teachers, you will
always be with me.
Sue Martin
My favorite memory of Paul is one of sitting around a table in a hotel
lounge in some city (perhaps Denver) having a heretical discussion of the
possibility of merging LITA and ACRL, and forming a professional association
outside ALA.
Paul, you had just asked me for a list of my recent favorite science
fiction authors or books, and I hadn't responded to you yet -- I'm sorry!
As others have said, a light has gone out of our lives. I was asked if I
wanted a picture of Paul; I don't think any of us need pictures. He is in our
minds and memories as though he was standing right next to us.
His death is a tragedy. Paul, we will miss you terribly.
Sue
Charles W. Bailey, Jr.
Paul, I do not know why we have been suddenly parted, where you travel, or
what unimaginable sights you see. I only know that a true explorer's rest is
brief before his eyes fix on a new horizon. Until we meet again, may the
skies be clear, the waters blue, and a strong, good wind fill your sails.
Kate Wakefield
I was shocked by the news, and now am simply overwhelmed, reading the
tributes to Paul posted by friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Paul was a
key mentor for me, and helped me frame the questions which still drive my
professional development. He was a great sounding-board and eminently
sensible. I wish I could have gotten to know you better, Paul. I wish I had
taken more time.
My heart-felt condolences to Rosemarie, and to those struggling to hold up
the pieces at CNI. The library profession NEEDS this organization, and I hope
CNI can survive this loss. I don't see how it can, but I also can't envision
the profession without it.
As one co-worker here stated when I broke the bad news ... you'd better be
sure that what you're working on today is what you want to be doing, and what
you want to be remembered by. Words of wisdom for us procrastinators. Paul,
thanks for setting such high standards for me. KW
Edward D. Garten
Several years ago Paul have the keynote speech for a series of events
celebrating the University of Dayton "coming online" OhioLINK. This was the
first time Paul had been back on campus since graduating UD in 1969. He was
surprised to meet his mentor in computer science, Bro. Tom Schoen, still
teaching after all these years and still remembering Paul as one of his finest
students. Paul seemed to enjoy this visit back to his alma mater and we
appreciated his very fine and visionary speech that day. Personally, I will
miss Paul because he had quickly grown to become a friend.
Peter R. Young
Pauls's passing has left an enormous loss in our lives; but his example
provides a singular example for those of us who continue to care about the
tremendously difficult process of transition. Paul's ability to capture the
human elements admist a confusion of technological and acronynimic
entanglements was inspiring and unique. His example was one of human scale
for a fundamentally confusing global change.
Let those of us who knew Paul as a colleague and friend find ways of
celebrating his life and his conribution now that he is no longer among us to
inspire, laugh, and to lead.
Patricia Battin
I first met Paul almost twenty years ago when he joined the Columbia
University Libraries staff to lead us all through the challenging,
invigorating and frustrating effort to transform the 230 year old card
catalogue into the Columbia Libraries Information Online (CLIO) He was in
inspiration to us all, a visionary colleague and a warm friend. His
contributions to Columbia were enormous, and it was evident even then that one
institution could not -- should not -- confine his talents and energies. He
made a brief stop downtown at NYPL after leaving Columbia before moving into
the national/international arena where he has brought disparate groups
together, reconciled differences, articulated clear and understandable
directions for an uncertain future, all with his characteristic wit, grace and
penetrating insight. I know that I have not yet assimilated the enormity of
our loss. I will miss his friendship as well as his leadership. Rosemary,
your loss is incalcuable -- please know that you have our deep
sympathyathy.
Mike McAllister
I worked for Paul 10 years ago while he was at Columbia University. He
saw the revolution in cyberspace and virtual reality coming long before it
happened. The world has lost a true visionary. He will be sorely missed.
Gerry Bernbom
Paul was a rare person. He possessed a treasure of riches and shared them
freely: his humanity and humor, insight and wisdom, savvy and practical good
sense. He truly saw possibilities that others hadn't, then helped us to see
them too. Even more, he brought people and ideas together so that
possibilities could become reality.
I've been thinking often of a phrase Paul used to describe the work of
CNI: "A rising tide raises all ships." Paul was a tremendous force in our
professions, whose ideas and efforts raised and carried many of us.
He was a tremendous force in my own life. I miss him terribly.
My condolences to Rosemarie, and to Paul's colleagues at the Coalition who
shared in his vision and his work.
Ward Shaw
We already miss your fast intelligence, your love of words, and your holy
irreverence.
Goodbye, friend.
Eric Lease Morgan
One of the many times I heard Paul speak was at the USAIN 1995 Annual
Meeting in Lexington, KY. It was at that conference where Paul germinated a
seed for me that had been planted many years ago. This seed, which I now call
the Ladder of Understanding, describes a relationship between data,
information, knowledge, and wisdom, as well as provides the means for
librarianship to evolve from an information dissemination profession to a
knowledge profession. More specifically, this relationship moves the library
from one of dispensing information to fostering knowledge and understanding:
The Ladder of Understanding
It has been said that understanding is like a four-rung ladder. The first
rung on the ladder represents data and facts. As the data and facts are
collected and organized they become information, the second rung on the
ladder. The third rung is knowledge where knowledge is information
internalized and put to use. The last rung is wisdom, knowledge of a timeless
nature. Technology has enabled more people to climb between the first and
second rungs of the ladder with greater ease. Similarly, technology may enable
libraries and librarians to climb higher on the ladder as well and provide
knowledge services instead of simply information services.
While these ideas are not new, they were first articulated to me by Paul.
For this, and with a tear in my eye, I say, "Thank you."
Eric Lease Morgan November 25, 1996
Elliott Haugen
Vision, passion, excitement, information, knowledge, love. Each is
without meaning unless it is shared. That was and will always be Paul's gift.
We are all better because of Paul's unlimited capacity to share and inspire.
God's peace be with his family and friends.
John A. Tate
I first met Paul in Pittsburgh, in the fall of 1971, when we moved into a
large household on Ivy Street in the Shadyside neighborhood. I was in my last
semester at Carnegie-Mellon University, and was about to discover philosophy.
I took a course in the Philosophy of Language from Prof. Annette Baier, and
decided that philosophy should have been my major all along. I found in Paul a
friend and mentor, able to connect philosophy to sociology, information
science, and much else, and to convey his conviction of its importance beyond
the academy. In 1973 I spent two semesters as a special non-degree student in
Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh, taking most of the upper-division
undergraduate courses that would constitute a major. After the spring
semester, I was out of money, but Paul loaned me the tuition for the fall,
enabling me to complete my planned course of study. So Paul was my patron as
well as my mentor, for which I will always be profoundly grateful. That a
graduate student, which Paul was at the time, would loan financial aid to
another student demonstrates his will to effect what he believed in. I'm sure
those who knew him through his work at the CNI have the same experience of his
conviction, generosity, and friendship. I have lived in Texas since 1981, far
from Paul and my other friends from my undergraduate days in Pittsburgh. We
correspond sporadically, but the spirit connection to those with whom I found
a path from youth to adulthood remains strong. I always feel we could pick up
the conversation right where we left off, in a way that's not usually possible
with those we meet later. With Paul's death I have lost a mentor, patron, and
friend, one with whom I will always wish I could have resumed that
conversation.
Connie Kearns McCarthy
I feel like we have lost "The Soul of the New Machine." This was a title
that Paul told me to read when I met him as part of the ARL/OMS consultant
training program in my introduction to Paul's world and our world. And I
always felt that he brought the soul and the vision to the new machine. A
tremendous loss for all of us. But how interesting that we all express and
knew of his concern for others and his special relationship with his wife.
A fun memory is also from that same training program (2 weeks at the
National 4-H Center in the DC suburbs). As the "local" with the car, I made
the beer runs with Paul since the Center had few amenities...
Norma Holland
Paul's personal style and exceptional creativity made him a person we
enjoyed being around. He was always eager to share his thinking and listen to
others. We will miss him, but know that his work will inspire us in our own.
My condolences to his family, friends and close associates.
Janice
Like many others, I too would like to say that Paul's spirit and
leadership had a lot to do with making my time at Columbia the best years of
my professional career. He made me proud to be a librarian -- in the most
traditional sense of the word -- and I will miss him.
Lori Klein
All summer long, whenever the friendly pair of gold finches perched on my
windowsill- staring at me while I worked, I thought of Paul and how much he
would have enjoyed them. Now the finches are gone, and I am so devastated to
learn that, so too, is our friend Paul. There was no question too big or
small for Paul - he was the perfect teacher, giving you all the tools and then
letting you fly as far as you could on your own; He introduced me to the web
by showing me how to search for Bob Dylan lyrics. He made everything feel like
a great discovery. He was inspirational in his interactions with friends,
family, collegues and co-workers alike. Paul was, to many of us, the best
person you could ever hope to work for or with. And for me, and I suspect for
many many others, an inspirational mentor whose impact is felt everyday. The
world would be a better place if everyone were like Paul Evan Peters.
Barbara Olde
My condolence to Pauls family and friends. We, at Sydney are very saddend
to here of Pauls untimely death. It was a great shock to us, as no doubt it
was to everyone. He will be very much missed. Our thoughts and prayers are
with you all at this sad time.
Regards
Laura J. Isenstein, Director
Paul's death has left a tremendous void among information professionals
throughout the world. His vision and his unique ability to communicate that
vision to all types of individuals and organizations is a great loss. However,
those that he touched are his legacy. It is all of our responsibility to carry
on the work that Paul began.
Paul you will be missed but never forgotten!
Betty J. Turock
The American Library Association and our profession have experienced an
irreparable loss with Paul's passing. He was a bright, inspired and inspiring
voice for twenty-first century librarianship.
My best recollection of Paul was that he usually sat to my right when, as
1995-96 ALA president, I presided over Council and when the going got tough he
would smile at me reassuringly. Frequently at break he would let me know that
he appreciated the difficulties of chairing such a large and vocal group and
that I was doing fine. His comments invariably restored my confidence and
lightened my steps as I returned to the platform.
Each bit of encouragement was a gift. I hope remembering his generous
spirit will bring you the comfort that it brings to me.
Taylor Walsh
Paul, in his rascalish way, was excellent in many things, but mostly in
using the concept of "networked information" to mask the true effect of his
work: a global expanse of networked spirits, a small portion of it assembled
here. Each of us on hearing this sad news I suspect envisioned that warm smile
and recalled that churning brain sorting through difficult issues and
presenting them in the most thoughtful, yet inspiring way.
In early 1993, as the Internet was beginning to impose itself on the
conciousness of the world outside research and education, I invited Paul to
speak on a panel at a conference of the Interactive Services Association, the
epicenter of the commercial online service world, where America Online, AT&T,
CompuServe, the phone companies, Time Warner, et alia sorted out a then-future
that by now is lost behind a cloud of HTML. After Steve Young of NSF and Tony
Rutkowski of the Internet Society bedazzled and overwhelmed the audience with
impossible-to-believe growth projections for the Internet, a flood of
net.jargon, and admonitions to "just get on the net," I was uneasy about the
cultural chasm so evident between these speakers and the audience. Whereupon
Paul stepped up, sensing this disconnect, and began in his disarming way to
make sense of it for these businesspeople.
I am glad to have known him, ever so slightly, and to have seen first hand
this encompassing spirit at work, bridging to yet another important community.
He will be sorely missed.
I offer my condolences to Paul's family and to his colleagues at CNI.
Michele Newberry
There are no words adequate to convey the deep sadness and sense of loss
that I feel in Paul's sudden and incredibly premature leaving of us. Paul's
was always one of those faces that I looked forward to seeing whenever our
association or professional paths crossed because he seemed so happy with who
he was and what he was doing... his enthusiasm and joy were infectious and
uplifting. My heart is filled with great sympathy for all of Paul's family
both personal and professional. Love, Michele
Mike Johnson
I shall miss him.
Phil A. Peters
Along with all of Paul's professional colleagues, my wife Rhonda and I are
still coming to grips with Paul's death. Please keep us informed of any
gatherings to honor Paul's memory and we will try to attend. There will be a
gathering in Pittsburgh for Paul on Sunday, December 15. Anyone interested in
details can contact us at our home phone -- 412-441-6794.
We understand from Rosemarie that the above photo was taken to be used
with a magazine article about Paul. Can you please let us know if this article
was printed and where we can find it. We don't have an E-mail address (hard
to believe) but our address is 312 Lacy Way,Pittsburgh, PA 15206-4510.
Thanks.
Julia Blixrud
During this time of year when we say thanks, I say thanks for Paul.
Thanks for his warmth, his enthusiasm, his love of language and images. With
every conversation with him or talk heard from a podium, one always had to
make a trip to the closest bookstore because Paul gave a reading
recommendation (who will be my book reviewer now?). His ability to make
connections is what we'll miss most -- connections among technologies,
certainly, but among people most importantly.
Michael Alexander
Paul's friends and acquaintances at the BL have been deeply shocked and
saddened at his sudden passing.We will all miss his warm friendship, his wise
observations and the vitally important leadership role he undertook so well
within the networked information community.
George Rickerson
My favorite memory: Sometime in the early 1980s, in Covington, Kentucky,
at a catfish farm/restaurant, eating catfish and hushpuppies, Paul explaining
the origin of the term "hushpuppies". He knew everything, or close enough for
me.
My second favorite memory, from the same period: noticing how the vigor
with which Paul sharpened the lead in his lead holder (using a draftsman's
lead pointer) varied with the quality of the contributions to the meeting we
were in. He ground away a lot of lead that day.
I really hate it that he's left before I was ready. It helped me to know
he was there.
lynne j brindley
Paul will be remembered in the UK as a visionary who helped to lead us
into this brave new world of networked information, helping to bridge UK and
USA boundaries and making us realise that we were part of a truly global
endeavour. We will miss his leadership, humour and sincere friendship. We
will continue our very close working relationship with CNI as a continuing,
positive reminder of Paul's enormous contribution.
Sandee Howard-Burrows
For Paul --
Your dream is still alive. Thank you for being a friend and more.
Rosemarie -- Thank you for sharing him with us. Love you. Sandee
Ted and Helen Goodman
We were so shocked and saddened to hear of Paul's sudden death. Whle Ted
knew him as a library colleague at Columbia University, Helen has fond
memories of Paul during the time they spent working together in the University
of Pittsburgh,University Center for International Studies in Mervis Hall. We
both feel privileged to have known Paul and have him touch our lives the way
he did. With deepest sympathy, Helen & Ted Goodman
Nancy Roderer
The image that keeps returning to my mind is of the young (thin and
beardless!) Paul who arrived at the University of Dayton in 1965. He quickly
became the boy genius of the Computer Science Department, with his
intelligence and creativity very much in evidence. What a delight it was,
some ten or more years later, to find that we had both discovered the library
and information field. We began an intermittant discussion of the vast
potential of information technology to transform our lives... a discussion
that continued as our paths crossed at Columbia, in LITA, and just here and
there. Our last talk was about the economics of the information environment,
and about how we might better understand and influence them. I so want to
continue that coversation, and to continue to be enriched by Paul's
imagination and wisdom.
Ruth M. Jackson,Ph.D.
A giant and a very special person has passed from among us. On behalf of
the entire library faculty and staff of the West Virginia University
Libraries, I extend heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Peters, surviving members of
Paul's family, and to the staff of the CNI. Paul will be sorely missed by us
all.
Robert Kahn
Paul infused his personal warmth into conferences and meetings. He and
Rosemarie did that for my wife Karen and me at last year's Snowmass meeting.
We were surprised and grateful; we still are.
Ellen Nagle
I treasured Paul as a friend and colleague, dating back to our years
together at Columbia. In recent times our paths crossed on numerous occasions.
It was always very special to see and talk with him, to catch up on news, and
to be challenged by his ideas and vision. Paul's warmth, his ready smile (and
chuckle), his quick wit, and his devotion to Rosemarie are the things I will
remember most about him. I can think of few in our profession who have had as
great an impact or touched as many people as Paul. My deepest sympathy to his
family.
Phil Peters and Rhnoda Goldblatt
Rhonda and I, along with Paul's parents, Mary and Pete, would like to pass
along our enormous gratitude for the comfort of these remarkable testimonials
honoring Paul: his intelligence, humor, generosity of intellect and spirit,
and his gift for bringing together members of disparate organizations to work
together on technically and politically complex projects. It will be one of
the underlying sadnesses of the rest of our lives that we will never have the
opportunity to know Paul in the way that so many of his professional
colleagues did. Our special thanks to Mary Jane Brooks of ARL and Joan
Lippincott of CNI for calling us with condolences and for supplying us with
additional material for our memorial service for Paul here in Pittsburgh. And
thanks to Nancy Roderer for forwarding a copy of the article in which the
picture of Paul accompanying this file first appeared.
Susan E. Fox
This is so difficult to understand. Paul was truly an extraordinary man,
one of those rare individuals whose heart was as big as his mind was deep.
Our only consolation is that he's left a such beautiful legacy behind; we're
all the better for knowing him and loving him and giving some of that love
back.
I now share with you a resolution adopted by the Council of the Society of
American Archivists on November 25, 1996:
The Society of American Archivists expresses deep sorrow at the passing of
Paul Evan Peters, Executive Director of the Coalition for Networked
Information. We extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and his colleagues.
The American archival profession benefited greatly from Paul's presence.
Paul recognized early on how archival issues are central to the emerging
networked environment and actively worked to engage network specialists in a
dialogue with archivists. He welcomed the Society of American Archivists into
the Coalition in 1995, and constantly sought to engage the Society in the work
of the Coalition. A frequent speaker at archival meetings, Paul brought his
vision of an interconnected world of accessible information to audiences that
might not have considered themselves to be an important part of the emerging
information infrastructure and encouraged them to step to the fore.
While Paul may have believed in the power of technology to bring people
together, it was his personal characteristics that defined the Coalition.
Paul was a gracious, witty, intelligent and eloquent man whose warmth,
friendliness, and enthusiasm made the Coalition grow and prosper.
We are stunned that Paul is no longer with us. His passing is a deep loss
to the archival community, but his spirit lives on in his sweeping ideas and
especially in all who knew him. We wish him a fond farewell.
Joanne Euster
Paul was one of very few true visionaries in our profession. His ability
to translate vision into action and his warm encompassing personality made him
a near-mythic symbol for many of us. We will miss him for years to come.
Bill Gottschall
I was an instructor in the Computer Science Department at the University
of Dayton when Paul was a student and I worked with him when I used to rent
computer time from UD. He was a gentleman, a scholar, and a consummate human
being. Even though I have not talked with him since then, I have kept up with
his career via mutual friends. My sincerest sympathy is offered to his wife,
his family, and his friends.
Bill Gottschall
Ellen Hoffmann
Paul had a gift for creating community--sadly these remembrances are a
final example. The last time I saw Paul, he was using a video projector to
create a public record of the town hall discussion during the ARL meeting.
Like Connie, my first memories of Paul are from the OMS workshop at the
4-H Centre. I had never heard of Sprint cards and I remember being amazed at
how frequently he called Rosemarie and how often he quoted her.
My sympathy to his family and colleagues.
Nancy Fjallbrant, President
All the attendees at the IATUL 1996 Conference at the University of
California Irvine were saddened to hear of the sudden death of Paul Evan
Peters, who presented a Keynote Address - Networked Information Resources and
Services in Perspective: the Experience of the Coalition for Networked
Information.He will be remembered for his important contributions to library
information technology. We would like to express our deepest sympathy to his
wife.
Dan Caldano
I knew Paul throughout his career at Columbia and always told people after
he left that he was the greatest boss I'd ever have and hope to have. He was
a wonderful spirit, a real mensch, who didn't bother with imposed distinctions
such as boss/underling but instead related to you as a colleague and friend.
He had a unique ability to inspire and make us do the best work of our lives.
But he was a great guy as well, anxious to explore the more obscure
corners of NY, wanting to visit you in the hospital when you were sick. He
loved hearing about the city, especially Greenwich Village, and would
sometimes go with me to some very esoteric theater, usually featuring
hairy-chested Camilles or strange scenery, such as a mound of sand; then think
nothing of spending hours discussing it in a coffee house. He was open to
everything, the person you'd most want to speak with at parties. And it was
he and Rosemarie (mostly Rosemarie) who convinced me to give up smoking, some
years back (haven't smoked since).
I was devastated when he left CU, but at least he was still in NY; then he
left NY, and I was upset again; now he's left the world - we're all diminished
by his absence.
Dear Paul - I'll never forget your warmth, your grin, your laugh, your
love of life and your love of us.
Sara Parker
The last time Paul and I were together, we sat in my office and watched a
large bird hover over the Missouri River. Paul identified it for me as a bald
eagele. Paul went back to Washington and the eagle stayed about a week and
left. Yesterday it was back and today as I watch it out the window I remember
Paul and will, each time I see an eagle soar. Sara
Pat Molholt
Hard as it is, ours is not to mourn so much as it is to pick up a piece
left undone and do Paul honor by carrying his work forward.
What a loss his departure represents; what a challenge it leaves for all
of us.
Timothy J. Maloney
Paul E. Peters was my very first computer science professor, when in the
spring of 1968 he taught a freshmen introductory CS class at the University of
Dayton. At that time Paul was still an undergraduate at UD and was known
campus-wide as a top student. I myself transferred to MIT the following
academic year and never heard of Paul again, but often wondered how his career
had turned out given the tremendous progress in computers since 1968.
But just last night (Dec. 18)I heard a "Paul Evan Peters" on Terry Gross'
"Fresh Air" radio program in a panel discussion about the Internet--the job
description and voice seemed to fit. Terry then announced that Paul had died
suddenly after the program had been taped, so I used the Web to research
whether this was the Paul E. Peters I remembered, and indeed it was.
Paul, wherever you are I hope you're pleased with how I handled this one
last computer-based assignment for you. Your contributions to information
science helped me to find about your career on-line, although a little later
than I would have liked.
Jean-Claude Guédon
I never knew Paul Peters, but I address my deepest words of sympathy to
his wife. I know the wrenching feeling one gets when one's beloved suddenly
dies without warning: my wife brutally died on Easter Sunday, April 16th,
1995. I also know the unbearable pain that goes with being, as it were, cut in
half. I empathize thoroughly and reach out as much as one can reach out to
someone unknown.
Bela Hatvany
To me Paul was a great example of a human being exhibiting that we are all
made in God's image. I only knew him well enough to observe that he exuded the
characteristic of being creator. I always enjoyed and was inspired by my
conversations with him. I was looking forward to more of these. I will have to
pursue them in some other realm.
I have found the following to be a comfort.
I am happy I knew him a little.
Walt Crawford
It's been a while, for various reasons. My excuse: I didn't know this page
existed. But I worked with, around, and after Paul for quite a few years, and
indirectly crossed swords on several occasions, and now I'm here.
Paul was no saint. He was a charming, complex, thoughtful, remarkable, and
sometimes infuriating real person. As with anyone pursuing important ideas
with human energies, he sometimes needed cleaning up after. No, Rosemarie, I
don't begrudge the tiny amount of that that I did. I only wish you had had
more time to enjoy what was clearly a complex and wonderful relationship!
The good things Paul did--as CNI's true light, as LITA president, as,
well, just plain Paul Evan Peters--will live on. The momentary weaknesses
don't really matter much. Fortunately, Shakespeare had it wrong sometimes.
I treasure the many fond memories I had of Paul, his wonderful personality
and his remarkable mind. I'll always remember the one (and, thank heavens,
only) time I followed him on a podium, after which I almost gave up speaking.
His speech was, as usual, magnificent. As was, in the final analysis, Paul
himself.
Jane Beaumont
Way back in 1973 - Paul showed up at the School of International Affairs,
Carleton University, Ottawa looking for the newly formed resource centre. He
found a small pile of unsorted books, and a brand new coordinator, me. Since
there wasn't much to show him we spent the rest of the day discussing
"libraries without walls" - what we now like to call "virtual libraries".
With his encouragement we went right ahead and created exactly that for the
students. I'll always remember and thank Paul for his vision, enthusiasm, and
encouragement.
jane beaumont
C. Lee Jones
Aside from the agencies forever influenced by his life,including but not
limited to the University of Dayton, University of Pittsburgh, Columbia
University, CNI, ARL, EDUCOM, etc., we are all better for having known Paul.
The flash of a bird's wing, the newness of Spring gardens, and the memory of
his warm, compelling smiles will have to do until we see him on the other
side. Until later good friend...
Tom Galvin
I first met Paul in 1974 when I arrived as the new Dean of the School of
Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh. Paul was
taking his masters in my school, and working with Allen Kent on library
automation and the famous (or infamous) Kent-Galvin Pittsburgh Use study. He
was the apple of Kent's critical eye. Allen was among the first to sense that
Paul was destined for leadership.
I have been a Paul Peters Fan for over 20 years, and took enormous
pleasure in both following his career achievements and working with him on
various technology and networking projects. When I was ALA Executive Director
in the late 1980's, Paul took the initiative, under the auspices of LITA, to
install the first ALA Conference Internet Room. Two years ago, I had the
pleasure of presiding at a panel at a conference on the economics of resource
sharing co-sponsored by ARL,CLR, and my University. As moderator, it fell to
me to introduce Paul as a panelist. I said something like this.
It's been my pleasure to know, work with, and admire Paul Peters for over
20 years. From our first meeting when he was a struggling graduate student at
Pittsburgh with a pony tail and a wardrobe that appeared to' consist solely of
t-shirts (in summer), sweat shirts (in winter) and (all-season jeans), I
thought he had enormous promise as a leader in the information professions.
Since then, Paul has gotten a more extensive wardrobe, AND exceeded even my
expectations for his career. I have not always understood exactly where Paul
was leading us, but I have found that if I just don't ask too many questions
and follow along, all will be well.
Tom Galvin Professor, Information Science and Policy University at
Albany-SUNY
Adalberto Vazquez
I knew Paul back when I was at Data Control as part of the support staff
at Systems of which he was in charge at Columbia. I was touched by his
warmness and that slight smile he aways wore. I was glad to work for such a
RARE human being like Paul and I'm sure he will always spread that warmth of
character wherever he might be.
Jeff Rothenberg
I met Paul in 1991 and again at the NAGARA conference in '92, where he
gave a talk containing a remark I have always associated with him and which I
often quote. I was shocked to hear of his death; he was a warm and visionary
person. His NAGARA remark serves as a fitting epitaph (or more properly
"e-pitaph"), though the uninitiated may not recongize its humor and insight.
In presenting his e-mail address, he pointed to cni's domain and said:
"Dot O-R-G, and proud OF it!"
Fred Nesta
I had the pleasure of working with Paul at Columbia. Since then I have
enjoyed reading his articles and following his work as his career progressed.
He was a man of vision and intelligence and we will miss his contributions.
Maria Sliwinska
I met him only once, on March meeting of Coallition for Networked
Information in Washington, DC in 1996. Too late! But I am happy I had this
chance, and will remember this friendly and warm Man forever. I am sorry I
can't be with you on the last ceremony in Georgetown University., but my
thoughts will be with him on that day and will read again his "Birds in a Cage
for the Information Age" thanks to which I contacted him through e-mail first
time.
Barbra Buckner Higginbotham
I worked with Paul for six years in the Libraries of Columbia University.
These were the early days of the Research Libraries Group, Paul was AUL for
Systems, and I was head of Original Cataloging. We implemented the original
mnemonic tag version of RLIN (then BALLOTS), and the several versions. Later,
with a small group of other university libraries, we attempted to implement
Bibliotechniques as the Libraries integrated library system. We also
discussed important topics such as, how frequently and how much should you tip
the super of your building, if you want to be first in line when a larger
apartment becomes available. Our association continued long after both of us
went on to other endeavors. Paul appointed me to my first LITA committee,
Program Planning. Like his many friends and colleagues across the country, I
will miss his cheerful disposition, fine mind, and sensitivity to process very
much.
Paul's Colleagues at ARL
Those of us who work in the same building with the Coalition for Networked
Information are holding on to our memories of Paul striding through our
offices. There is a lingering anticipation that at any moment he will step
off the elevator with his favorite coffee mug and, with his famous grin,
deliver a greeting something like the following: "When I explain, I'm sure you
will understand--(pause for maximum effect)--but first, tell me what you've
been doing for networked information while I've been gone."
His absence feels artificial. His legacy, however, is very real.
Remembering Paul's dogged determination to keep our communities working
together for the good of society and for the joy of learning, we arrive at our
office each day knowing his expectations of us, and eager to respond to his
question. Thanks Paul, for giving the ARL staff and all the research library
community a role model for addressing our expanded vistas.
Christina Huemer
Twelve years ago, Paul was my colleague at Columbia University and my
neighbor at 423 West 120th Street (New York), a building full of great people
with great ideas. Although we went separate ways and lost touch, I watched
from afar as his ideas grew and his vision led the way for the rest of us. I
miss him and send my warmest regards to Rosemary and his other loved ones.
Elizabeth Lane Lawley
I've waited months to write this, thinking that it might be easier after
some time had passed. I was wrong.
My memories of Paul span nearly a decade, and range from his writing me a
letter of recommendation for PhD programs in LIS, to his laughing at and with
me and Craig Summerhill as Craig and I worked late into the night in the CNI
offices putting finishing touches on our book, to his taking an official
moment at a LITA board meeting to compliment my shoes. (Black and white Esprit
sneakers, I believe...) I'm glad I was able to see and spend time with Paul
and Rosemarie, however briefly, at the ALA conference in NYC last July. I
remember them laughing and talking about the Independence Day movie they'd
just seen, and I remember Paul sneaking bonbons when Rosemarie wasn't watching
him...
Paul brought a rare combination of wit, intelligence, and passion to his
personal and professional endeavours, and I am a better person for my
friendship with him. Like so many others, I will miss him terribly.
Adhiratha Kevin Keefe
Paul Even Peters: In memory to a Loving Activist
Paul is one on the planet that gave me tremendous hope. We went through
the "second formative years" together. I was a bit outrageous and impulsive
and he would provide me with the intellectual backup and encouragement to know
there was some substance behind my strong feelings. I admired him so much, it
was some times embarrassing- especially when we didn't believe there were any
real teachers at the time, only shared learners. I believed in what he did
and would try to find out where he was from time to time and reconnect... He
was the first person I met who could be in many worlds at the same time.
He would be outraged at injustice and quietly go back to working for
change, while I was still incoherent. When he was on a ticket for executive
vice president of student government, I really didn't have too much faith in
such efforts. Then I got involved and became supportive of a more radical
candidate, but as I went around speaking to others, many would tell me they
would not vote for my first choice. I would then add, "then vote for Paul's
ticket, he is practical, has good values and you know he will get things
done"... His ticket was elected, he got things done and I became more
involved in part due to his example and challenge.
He was a role model and friend: He believed in the arts and was active
with the theatre group. Obviously outstanding in computer science [considered
nerd land or incomprehensible in the 1960's] and he was actively involved in
real community development and student politics [this to me was an example of
a fully alive person]. I remember he shared how frustrated he was, when after
lobbying for more student representation on committees, he was informed by
university administrators that they would be more inclined to allow additional
representatives if there were more student's "like Paul".
It some times confused or upset me when I learned that a few who knew Paul
some how mistrusted him because of his multiple interests or felt he was cold.
It also gave me a kind of delight to see him passionate about change... He
liked words and their meanings - once I questioned him about using the label
"activist", since it seemed to have negative effect - he strongly defended the
term. That's just one who takes action, he said. Why give up such a great word
because people don't think - If called an activist [in a pejorative sense]
then just say how proud you are to be one - a practical idealist.
I remember him coming back to Dayton, to visit our house and us visiting
Pittsburgh and going a bit in the country and exploring our alternative
lifestyle building dreams. We shared some of these stories when I had dinner
with he and Rosemarie in Washington a few years back and I didn't really want
to be dropped off as we were driving back to my hotel after the dinner.
He came to UNICEF in the 1970's and [again] gave intellectual support -
This time to my feelings that we had much to gain if the Children's Fund
organised and managed our information better. After that I would from time to
time send him listings of related vacancies in UNICEF or UN with the hopes of
getting him directly involved - and with the personal selfish wish to see him
work up close again and get the benefit of his advice on how to move things in
his unique way.
While at Columbia he helped me draft a recommendation for my spiritual
teacher, Sri Chinmoy, to be nominated for an honorary degree from the
University of Dayton. He told me to think of what the University and the
teacher shared in common and then kept reminding me to think of what the
persons' who might be making a decision needed to know....not necessarily what
I wanted to tell them - but what they will be able to hear...
I wanted him to focus more actively on "spiritual" pursuits ... From the
way that he touched me and all the others it is obvious that this was a good
part of what he was doing all along.... And I wondered about his health...and
the pressure that he absorbed and diffused in order to make others feel more
at ease and to make things happen...
We had a lengthy discussion on the need for detached action once. Paul's
position [at least on that occasion] was he didn't quite understand how one
could be fully involved it he did not care about the results.... Paul cared
about most everything - process, people and results..
How I found out that Paul was not available - I wanted to give a colleague
at UNICEF his address for a possible CNI related project - I came on the WEB
and...
He was good, kind, sincere - Paul - so full ... I guess his personal work
was done this time...and yet my heart and my eyes cry ... May we work and
laugh together again...
- Adhiratha Adhiratha Kevin Keefe = akeefe@unicef.org p.s. I wrote this
last evening before leaving work 19 May - as I was going home I realised I had
one more thing to be thankful for... those of us who didn't immediately know
about Paul's physical passing had many more month's thinking we could
eventually see him again or call for advice .... I'll treasure that..Supreme,
I bow to Thee.
Catherine Chesser Wilt
Paul, You were my teacher at the Social Sciences Information Utilization
Laboratory, an experimental laboratory studying the effectiveness of
intermediated database searching, at the University of Pittsburgh in 1977. I
learned from you how to provide exceptional customer service to faculty and
students, how to design precise online searches, and most importantly, how to
consider the impossible and make it a reality. Your vision, enthusiasm, and
everlasting smile have touched my life dramatically. Thanks for bringing us
CNI. We promise to carry on your vision. You are missed. Cathy
Matt Simon
I was just exploring the CNI website when I saw the announcement about
Paul's death. I hadn't heard and I am in shock. I worked with Paul when he
was one of the first library systems officers in the country at Columbia
Univerity and I was running the Lehman Libraries. I was on my way upstairs to
visit Jerome Yavarkovsky or Pat Wand and they had installed Paul in one of
those little offices on the Mezzanine. He was easy to talk to and over the
years as our paths crossed, we always kind of picked up where we left off.
I extend my sincere (if belated) condolences to his family, friends and
co-workers at CNI and ARL. His passing creates a real gap on a lot of
different levels. He was a good man.
Phil Peters and Rhonda Goldblatt
Tomorrow marks one year since Paul died and scarcely a day goes by that I
don't think of him with a numbing sense of bewilderment and loss. Rhonda and
I were hoping to learn something of efforts to select recipients for the
annual award and scholarship. We would also like to know how to contribute to
the scholarship fund. All our best to Paul's colleagues at CNI.
Judith S. Rowe
I published an obituary in the Social Science Computer Review, Vol
15:286-7, Fall 1997 titled Two Young Men: In Memory of Paul Peters and Per
Nielsen. It's a bit long for this collection of quotes but since it reflects
some of Paul's early career and its influence on its later direction. I will
send it via E-Mail. Feel free to extract from it as seems appropriate.
Carl Malamud
Paul was one of the true pioneers of the Internet Revolution. The CNI
meetings he organized were true markers of the tempo of change in the early,
explosive days, the place where people came to learn what was happening (and
what should happen).
John L. King
Paul had a remarkable effect on the fragile but valuable coalition of
people who saw and appreciated the implications of computing and communication
networks in all fields of knowledge work. He was that rare creature: an
ambassador of the new. I was impressed with his knowledge, insights, and
intuitions. To strengthen the vision of the INFORMS journal Information
Systems Research, of which I am Editor-in-Chief, I asked Paul to join the
international editorial advisory board in 1994, which he kindly agreed to do.
He served until his death. He is missed by many more people than any of us
can imagine. 2/3/98
Ellen Gay Detlefsen
I'll never forget the pigtail and the painter's pants. I am sure that
you're clad in them again, teaching and learning in that Great SSIUL in the
Sky....
University of Newcastle Library, Australia
uljtc@dewey.newcastle.edu.au
Inter-univ. Const. for Political & Social Research
rcr@umich.edu
Barnard COllege Library
met7@columbia.edu
Mary Ellen Tucker
Systems Librarian
Barnard College Library
Global Village Research
terry.kuny@xist.com
DARPA
rlarsen@darpa.mil
SKP Associates
4164812@mcimail.com
Mississippi University for Women
fdavison@muw.edu
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
ported@rpi.edu
burrows@wln.com
CarnegieWorks, Inc.
cwi@nb.net
Cindi Carbine
CarnegieWorks, Inc.
2708 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222
Law Offices of Patrice Lyons
0003432266@mcimail.com
BBN Corporation
mgoldman@bbn.com
Wisconsin State Library
bocherf@mail.state.wi.us
Planet Direct/CMG
jgarrett@cmgi.com
University of South Florida---student
pshannah@luna.cas.usf.edu
Universtiy Library, IUPUI
dlewis@iupui.edu
Council of Graduate Schools
psyverson@cgs.nche.edu
Columbia University Libraries
mandel@columbia.edu
San Francisco State University
dmasters@sfsu.edu
Harvard University
kahin@harvard.edu
Johns Hopkins University
Todd.Kelley@jhu.edu
Georgetown University
skmartin@guvax.georgetown.edu
University of Houston
cbailey@uh.edu
WLN
vraptor@wln.com
University of Dayton
garten@data.lib.udayton.edu
U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Info Sci
py_nclis@inet.ed.gov
Retired
pbattin@aol.com
Technology Management Group
mmcallis@wln.com
Indiana University
bernbom@indiana.edu
CARL Corporation
wshaw@carl.org
NCSU Libraries
eric_morgan@ncsu.edu
Saint Louis University
haugenej@slu.edu
Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission
jtate@tnrcc.state.tx.us
Duke University
ckmc@mail.lib.duke.edu
Indiana University
NHolland@Indiana.Edu
Aspen Systems
aspensys.com
University of Sydney, Australia
b.olde@isu.usyd.edu.au
Barbara Olde and Staff,
University Computing Centre,
University of Sydney.
Australia
Public Library of Des Moines (IA)
li6931s@acad.drake.edu
American Library Association & Rutgers University
bturock@scils.rutgers.edu
Washington Information Services
twalsh@cais.com
Florida Center for Library Automation
fclmin@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu
CHEST & NISS
mike@niss.ac.uk
Paul's brother
n/a
CAPCON Library Network
jblixrud@capcon.net
The Britsh Library
michael.alexander@bl.uk
University of Missouri System
rickersg@ext.missouri.edu
london school of economics
lbrindley@lse.ac.uk
Me
Burrows@WLN.com
Columbia Univ.
goodman@columbia.edu
Yale University
nancy.roderer@yale.edu
West Virginia University Libraries
RJACKSON@WVU.EDU
Columbia University
kahn@columbia.edu
University of Minnesota
e-nagle@umn.edu
family
none currently:
312 Lacy Way, Pgh PA 15206
Society of American Archivists
sfox@archivists.org
University of California, Irvine
jreuster@uci.edu
GKM Systems
billg@lexis-nexis.com
York University
hoffmann@yorku.ca
IATUL/Chalmers University of Tech., The Library
nancyf@lib.chalmers.se
Columbia University
caldano@columbia.edu
Missouri State Library
sparker@mail.sos.state.mo.us
Columbia University Health Sciences
molholt@columbia.edu
Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, CA
maloney@sc9.intel.com
Université de Montréal
guedon@ere.umontreal.ca
Chairman, SilverPlatter Information, Inc.
bela@silverplatter.com
Do not stand by my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand by my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die.
Anonymous
12th century.
-------------------------------
RLG
br.wcc@rlg.org
Beaumont and Associates Inc.
jbeaumon@fox.nstn.ca
Linda Hall Library
leejones@lhl.lib.mo.us
University of Albany-SUNY
TG504@cnsvax.albany.edu
Columbia University
av5@columbia.edu
RAND
Jeff_Rothenberg@acm.org
Saint Peters' College Libraries
nesta_f@spcvxa.spc.edu
Nicholas Copernicus University Library, Torun (PL)
M.Sliwinska@bu.uni.torun.pl
Brooklyn College
bxhbc@cunyvm.cuny.edu
Association of Research Libraries
arlhq@cni.org
American Academy in Rome
huemer@librs6k.vatlib.it
-- Chris Huemer
Internet Training & Consulting Services
liz@itcs.com
UNICEF Records and Archive Management
akeefe@unicef.org
AMIGOS Bibliographic Council, Inc.
wilt@amigos.org
simon@nevada.edu
family
312 Lacy Way Pgh PA 15206
Sincerely,
Rhonda Goldblatt and Phil Peters
312 Lacy Way
Pgh PA 15206
(412) 441-6794
Princeton University
Judith@Princeton.edu
Internet Multicasting Service
carl@media.org
University of California, Irvine
king@ics.uci.edu
University of Pittsburgh Sch of Info Sciences
ellen@sis.pitt.edu
Paul Evan Peters
December 12, 1948 - November 18, 1996