Peter Henry Horstmann

Peter Henry Horstmann, 76, died in Worcester, August 19, 2009 after a brief illness. His family was at his bedside when he quietly slipped away. He lived in Warren, VT and was a longtime resident of the Worcester area, heavily involved in its business and civic life.

Above all, Pete was devoted to his family. Pete is survived by the love of his life, his wife of nearly 55 years, Barbara Van Loon Horstmann of Warren, VT and Sterling, his three daughters, Peggo Horstmann Hodes of Concord, NH, Patricia Jean Horstmann McCarthy of Chesapeake, VA, Heidi Horstmann Koester of Ann Arbor, MI as well as his adoring grandchildren to whom he was a hero, Max and Ariana Hodes, Barbara and Philip McCarthy, and Eva and Margaret Koester.

Pete was born in Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in Syracuse, NY, where he graduated from Nottingham High School in 1951. He received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with distinction from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in 1955, and a Masters of Business Administration from Western New England College in 1964. While at WPI, Pete played varsity football, as well as basketball and lacrosse. He was co-captain of the WPI 1954 undefeated and untied football team. He maintained close relations with WPI and provided extraordinary service to the school throughout his life. His activities were, in his words, "a good variety, all fun and worthwhile." This characteristically modest description includes service as a Trustee from 1984-2007, President of the Alumni Association and Chair of the Alumni Fund Board. He received the Herbert F. Taylor Award for Distinguished Alumni Service to WPI and was also inducted into the WPI Athletic Hall of Fame.

He began his professional career as a mechanical engineer with Hamilton Standard. From 1958 to 1964 he held engineering positions with Kaman Aircraft Corporation, developing and testing military helicopters. Pete served as a Captain in the United States Army Corps of Engineers and received an honorable discharge in 1969. In 1964 he returned to Worcester as engineering manager of Coppus Engineering, a firm specializing in industrial turbo machinery, later becoming Vice President of Engineering. He left Coppus in 1987 to become CEO and President of Cutler Associates Energy Management, Inc., also in Worcester, and later served as President and General Manager of Webstone, Inc., a valve manufacturing and distribution company. He completed his professional career as Director of Human Resources for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.

Pete was a meticulous and organized person, befitting his chosen career as an engineer. He loved making lists and crossing off the completed tasks. His passion for machines extended to his love of flying. Pete had his private pilot's license for many years and took great joy in flying across the country to visit friends and family, with Barbara in the co-pilot's seat beside him. For those who were tentative about going up in a small single-engine plane, including some in his family, Pete's rigorous attention to maintenance and pre-flight routine had a soothing effect.

A great sportsman, he played tennis with competitive spirit, enjoying frequent games at Tatnuck Country Club, Worcester Tennis Club, and Greendale YMCA. He was certified as a ski instructor, putting many so-called experts to shame with his effortless, speedy fall-line dashes. Whether skiing Wachusett or his beloved Sugarbush Mountain in Vermont, Pete made every double diamond trail look like a beginner's route. He was a referee for both college and high school football games for 50 years with the Central Massachusetts Conference of Football Officials, only giving up officiating two years ago to spend time with his beloved wife, traveling to visit their family. His family willingly held Thanksgiving dinner until Pete finished his traditional Thanksgiving Day game.

Pete served his community in countless ways. He served on the School Committee in Holden, the Sterling School Board building committee in Sterling as well as the Wachusett Regional School District Committee. He was a member of the Worcester Rotary Club, director of the Worcester Children's Friend Society and a trustee of the Worcester Science Center (now the EcoTarium) and Consumers Savings Bank. After his retirement, he was active in the First Church of Sterling, serving on a number of committees.

In his spare time, Pete began a welding business, Wicked Welding, Ltd and spent many happy hours wielding a blowtorch, carving huge hunks of heated metal and creating art from everyday objects like lawnmower blades. He loved to travel. When not visiting their grandchildren, he and Barbara traveled to the Cayman Islands, Africa, Alaska, Hawaii and France, among other destinations, often with beloved longstanding friends from the Worcester area.

Pete made hundreds of friends during his lifetime who prized his love and loyalty. He leaves a legacy as a great American patriot who defended his country and his political views proudly. He was a true gentleman, whose life embodied trust, loyalty, respect, and love. Pete Horstmann made a difference in the world and left it a better place for his having been here.

A memorial service will be held at noon on October 10, at the WPI Campus Center, with a reception to follow. Contributions in lieu of flowers and in Pete's memory may be made to the endowment he created, the Peter H. Horstmann and Barbara V.L. Horstmann Scholarship Fund at WPI, to help benefit students in financial need. Contributions and inquiries may be addressed to: Office of Development and Alumni Relations, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Rd., Worcester MA, 01609. Miles-Sterling Funeral Home, 100 Worcester Road, Sterling is directing arrangements.

www.milesfuneralhome.com