Peter Prine Herman

Herman, Peter Prine 53 April 15, 1958 Aug. 25, 2011 Born in Texas, Peter spent his early years in Connecticut and New Jersey, and moved to Oregon with his family in 1968. After graduating from Beaverton High School he went to Cornell University, then spent six years in New Orleans, working as a cook and playing jazz piano. Peter returned to Oregon in 1984, where he lived until he left us suddenly and unexpectedly from complications related to hypertension. Peter earned an MS in Molecular Biology at the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry at PSU. He loved talking with people about anything scientific and especially enjoyed helping children explore the scientific world through volunteer work at OMSI and the Mad Science program. He worked as a Senior Research Assistant in OHSU's Cancer Retrovirus Lab and later at Cache Molecular Group helping customers learn to use molecular modeling software. He recently had begun pursuing the field of nutrition as a profession, combining his love of cooking healthy and delicious food, his passion for teaching and his chemistry background. Peter was one of those individuals who never took anything for granted. Each day was new and beautiful. Everyone he met was interesting, and he loved exchanging ideas with them. He often described himself as "a 5-year-old in a grown-up's body" because he felt the world was full of wonderful things to be explored and appreciated. Peter loved nature and being outdoors. He was an avid cyclist and an expert on- and off-trail backpacker. He would spend hours studying topo maps, preparing for his annual North Cascades trek. He particularly loved Mt. Hood, and knew its crevasses and outcroppings intimately. Being creative and artistic, Peter expressed his feelings through original music (in New Orleans he played informally with Bobby McFerrin and Professor Longhair), and via his published and prize-winning poetry. He'd return from hikes with breathtaking photos of fog, alpine lakes, fields of wildflowers, or snow-covered jagged mountain peaks, and with renewed enthusiasm for sharing his experiences. Family was a mainstay for Peter. Get-togethers would include lively conversations about almost anything, lots of laughter, singing, croquet and card games, food, stories and much affection. His life and presence were both an education and a special treat to his family and to all who knew and loved him. Peter is survived by his parents, Paul and Polly; sisters, Anne (partner Deb) and Louisa of Portland; brother, Jed (wife Laura) and adored niece, Lily of Stevens Point, Wis. Peter believed that we're all part of the "cosmic soup," and that his life energy would go back into the mix of the universe. We miss him terribly, but take comfort in thinking that he now enjoys being a part of the natural world, as the streaks of orange and purple in a beautiful sunset and as the fresh snow on Mt. Hood. We also know that Peter continues to bring life and hope to others, through the Organ Donor and Lions Eye programs. Love and good energy to you, Peter! A celebration of Peter's life will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, with a remembrance service at 3 p.m., at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 S.W. Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219; 503-244-0111. Please come and share your memories of Peter with his friends and family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to The Oregon Food Bank, or to any charity of your choice. Please share your memories and photos of Peter on Facebook "In Memory of Peter Herman."