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PETER ANDREW KRAEMER Ph.D.
PETER ANDREW KRAEMER Ph.D.
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PETER KRAEMER Obituary
Peter Kraemer died unexpectedly on April 7, 2010, in Washington, DC, at the age of 37. Peter graduated from Central Catholic High School (1990) and from Dickinson College (1994). He received a PhD in History and American Studies from the University of Indiana in 2004. Peter then joined the Office of the Historian at the US Department of State. He published widely, notably producing several volumes of the State Department-published "Foreign Relations of the United States" series. He was a specialist in international affairs, oral history, and German history. Recently, Peter conducted oral history interviews in Iraq for the Department. He was a gifted educator and recently had been teaching a graduate course at George Washington University. He also was an intern (1994-95) at the US Holocaust Museum's Department of Oral History. He was an active member of many professional organizations. Peter's colleagues, friends, students, and family will remember him for his sense of humor, his passion for life, his generosity, his keen intellect, and his ability to make every meal a culinary adventure. We have lost a good man; he will be deeply missed. Peter is survived by his father, Robert, siblings Thomas and Barbara, stepmother Marguerite Bonaventura, and two nieces. Friends received Monday only 2-4 and 7-9pm at WOLFE MEMORIAL, INC., 3604 Greensburg Pike, Forest Hills, 412-731-5001. A private memorial service is being planned. Memorial contributions may be directed to The Central Catholic Forensic Society, 4720 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
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H. R.
October 31, 2010
Coincidentially learning about Pete's death today, as I tried to refresh contact coordinates, I am deeply disturbed to understand he passed away. I am sure I belong to his very many German historian colleagues who knew him not only as an extremely open-minded intellectual and highly gifted speaker of German but, beyond that, as an outstandingly warm-hearted and sincere personality. This is how I will always remember him after having met him in New York and Washinton DC in March and April in 2007 for the last time. I know he loved his late mum and was fond of his siblings and dad. I am confident he will not have deceased unpreparedly as he was a seeker after truth and acquainted with reflection on things eternal.
Cathy Costa
July 6, 2010
I just learned today that Peter has passed. I knew Peter at Dickinson and used to hang out with him at the German House. He was perhaps the kindest person I knew while I was in school, and I loved talking with him. My deepest condolences to his family and all who knew him.
Jane Armstrong Hudiburg
May 12, 2010
I just learned of Pete's passing. It was a shock. We were friends at Indiana University and I just got to know him again in Washington. I was so looking forward to talking to him about old days in Bloomington. He was funny, smart, and caring, and I will miss him.
kim rogers
April 25, 2010
Peter was my advisee at vDickinson College for four years. He was one of those few souls who was obviously a born scholar--smart, hard-working, diligent in his research and writing. He had passions for history German language, and the pleasures of discovery. In the years since his graduation, I have jeard from Peter several times a year. He always had new projects, plans, and opportunities that he pursued. He was a wonderful person: thoughtful, kind, witty and funny, a deeply caring man. I will miss him enormously. Kim Lacy bRogers
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Katie McLain
April 25, 2010
I had Professor Kraemer for a graduate class at GW and am glad to have crossed paths with him. He was a fabulous professor - friendly, easy to talk to, and passionate about his work and studies. My fellow students and I are so sad to hear about his passing.
Joyce Bonaventura-Poole
April 23, 2010
To Mags, Bob and all of Peter's family, I will keep you in my thoughts. Peter sounds like an amazing person who clearly had wonderful colleagues and friends. I hope you'll share happy memories with one another in the weeks to come.
Nick Cullather
April 21, 2010
The American government and people have lost a brilliant and respected historian. Peter's dissertation, a study of how Germans appropriated American culture and used it for self-emancipation, was ahead of its time. For decades to come, scholars will rely on his work on the Foreign Relations of the United States series. He brought to light some of the formative crises of the recent era, rescuing long secret documents from the archives and placing them in public view. His was a life dedicated to truth, scholarship, and public service. There are too few like him.
Eric Sandweiss
April 19, 2010
I had the pleasure of serving on a departmental committee with Pete one year in Bloomington. He was serious but always good-humored; focused on the work at hand but fun to be with. I later heard him give a most moving talk to the faculty and student honorees who attended the IU history department's annual awards luncheon the year that he graduated. In all, I carry a memory of an engaging and thoughtful person, and I know that those who know him much better than I will hold these and many other fine qualities in their hearts and their minds. To his loved ones and his friends-- please accept my condolence and good wishes.
Kirsten Sword
April 19, 2010
I met Peter briefly as I was moving from D.C. to Indiana and he from Indiana to D.C. In that very short space, he made me feel welcome at Indiana University. I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a warm and talented person. Condolences to all his friends and family.
April 17, 2010
Peter was one of the highlights of being in D.C. I will miss his intelligence, his humor, his curiosity about the world, his cooking, and his friendship. He was one of the most fantastic people I have ever met. I am so glad that I got to know him.
My deepest condolences to all his friends and family. He will be missed.
Sylbeth (Syllie)
Karen Azinger
April 17, 2010
I was so shocked to hear of Peter's sudden death. From what I've read, he sounds like a wonderful person with a very interesting life. I'm so sorry for your loss. Hampstead seems to be riddled with loss these days. My thoughts are with you.
Karen Azinger (formerly of Hampstead, currently of Portland Oregon)
Dana and Scott Workman
April 16, 2010
Peter was a special person. He will be deeply missed.
Karen Sperduti
April 16, 2010
I am very sorry for your loss. You all are in my heart, thoughts, and prayers.
Karen Sperduti
Barbara Truesdell
April 16, 2010
Pete worked for me at the oral history center at Indiana University when he was a grad student here. He was a delight to know, and my deep condolences go out to all his friends and family.
April 16, 2010
Peter was a student at IU when I arrived there as a new professor and I had the pleasure of working with him informally, due to our common interests in public health and the Rockefeller Foundation. He was a very smart, thoughtful, and kind person, as well as a great citizen of the department. I was delighted when he got the job at the State Department and we stayed in touch for a while. Last time I saw Peter was in DC, a few years ago. I was there for a conference and we had a lovely time walking and catching up. My thoughts go out to Peter's family and especially his parents. As a mother of two boys, I can offer no appropriate words for this tragedy. My deepest condolences. Maria Bucur, Bloomington, Indiana
Jennifer
April 16, 2010
I was very sad to learn of Pete's passing. It is everyone's loss that he is gone. My thoughts go out to Pete's family and friends.
Brother Robert Wilsbach, FSC
April 16, 2010
Brother Robert R. Wilsbach, FSC
La Salle House, 100 Faculty Lane
Romeoville, IL 60446-1178
Dear Mr. Robert Kraemer, Marguerite Bonventura, Tom and Barbara and members of the family:
I was shocked saddened to learn of the death of your dear son,brother, and uncle, Peter Andrew Kraemer. At times such as these, words are unable to carry the full message of comfort and consolation which we want them to bear, but they are all we have. Having experienced the death of my father in 1995, I am aware of the deep emotions which accompany such a loss. I remember both Pete and Tom from my days teaching and coaching forensics at Central Catholic: 1976-1989. Be sure of continued remembrance of him in my prayers and those of all the Brothers here at Lewis.
May the Lord continue to hold you and all your family in the hollow of his hand and may you find his comforting presence in the silent power of prayer, in the wisdom of the Scripture, the beauty of the liturgy, and in all his holy people gathered round you to help you.
I join my voice to the ancient hymn of the early Church:
May the angels lead him into Paradise.
May the martyrs come and welcome him on his way
And lead him into the holy city, Jerusalem.
May the choirs of angels welcome him.
And with Lazarus, who once was poor,
May he have everlasting life. Amen.
I close with the traditional prayer which we Brothers have prayed for over three hundred years: Live Jesus in our hearts--Forever.
With sympathy and promise of prayers, Your Brother,
Brendan Gibbons
April 16, 2010
Pete and I were classmates at Central Catholic. In our senior year, we served as co-editors of Central's literary magazine the Harlequin. Although I'd lost touch with him after graduation, I remember him as a witty, thoughtful, and caring classmate. I offer my deepest sympathies to his family and close friends. I'm sorry for your loss.
Maria Kegel
April 16, 2010
My prayers are with you in your time of grief.
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