PETER E. HERMAN

PETER E. HERMAN - WAITS RIVER - Peter E. Herman died suddenly Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at his home in Waits River. A 40-year resident of Vermont, Peter is known for his work in education and management consulting, both in Vermont and around the world. He enjoyed "adventure travel," sailing the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador and wilderness canoe trips in interior Quebec. Born in 1937, in New York City, to Albert and Audrey Herman, Peter grew up in Mamaroneck, N.Y. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1958, and later earned a Master's in Political Science from Boston University. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1959. He was on active duty for five years serving at sea and teaching at Officer Training School. He remained in the Reserves until 1980, when he retired as a Commander. After his active duty, he worked for his family's business, Charles Herman Contractors in New York City. In 1961, he married Sheila Leary in Larchmont, N.Y., and after many visits to Vermont, they bought a small cabin in West Fairlee. In 1968, they purchased their current residence, their farm in Waits River. They also lived in Montpelier for several years in the 1970s. From 1971 to 1977, Peter worked for the State of Vermont Office of Budget and Management in Montpelier. In 1978, he moved to the Legislative Branch, where he acted as Senior Analyst for the Vermont House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. In 1982, Peter left government and began his third career as a management consultant at the consulting firm, Arthur D. Little, in Cambridge, Mass. Although his office was in Massachusetts, Peter had no intention of leaving Vermont. Consequently, he became an early "telecommuter," at the time when personal computers were just becoming available to the public. At ADL, Peter traveled extensively to consult for universities and organizations worldwide. His job took him all over North America, Europe, Africa and South Asia. Closer to home, Peter also served for many years on school boards for Waits River Valley School and Thetford Academy. He was also active in the Supervisory Union and Vermont State School Boards Association, where he served a term as president. He continued to serve on school boards until his death. A lifelong sailor, Peter started racing small boats on Long Island Sound and competed on larger boats in ocean races, including the Newport - Bermuda Race. He is a member of Larchmont Yacht Club, Storm Trysail Club and Cruising Club of America. Peter enjoyed canoeing, gardening, farming, hiking, ice hockey and skiing. He traveled extensively - visiting six of the seven continents - and was an excellent cook and voracious reader. An inveterate "doer," famous for his energy, Peter exerted broad influence over a wide range of people, young and old. He was known for his intelligence, honesty and forthright nature. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sheila Herman; sister, Elizabeth McLaughlin; children, Kristin Herman and Nicholas Herman; and grandchild, Jack Herman, age two. A celebration of his life will be held at the Thetford Congregational Church in Thetford, on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012. For more information, please check online at peterherman.net. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Dartmouth Outing Club, Vermont Land Trust, or Barre Opera House.