Robert Peterkin

Dr. Robert S. Peterkin, a tireless defender of the rights of children and a brilliant educator, died in Boston, MA on December 23, 2024. Throughout a 50-year career, he was known as a towering intellect with a very engaging personal approach. He became a profound and positive influence in the lives of innumerable children and adults. Bob was a mentor, father figure, guide, sage, and friend to his students and colleagues. They say, "I wouldn't be me without Bob"; "Bob gave new meaning to the word "support'"; "He would push us to meet challenges, believing that we would find our strengths, even when we didn't know we could."

Bob started his career In Albany NY teaching emotionally disturbed children. He founded an alternative school for high school dropouts. He was selected as Boston's first Black public- school Headmaster and served during the years of busing. During that time, he established The English High School as the integrated Magnet School for the Arts. Bob later served as a Boston Deputy Superintendent and then as Cambridge, MA Superintendent of Schools. Bob was appointed Superintendent of Schools in Milwaukee, WI and was the first African American in that role. He introduced numerous educational innovations such as local school level decision-making, a two-way bilingual school, a Waldorf school, and a school focused on learning for African American boys.

In 1991 Bob joined Harvard University as the Director of the Urban Superintendents Program (USP). He provided extensive high-quality training and experience for prospective urban school leaders. He especially focused on preparing women and persons of color for the Superintendency. For 20 years, he acted as professor, visionary, and indispensable mentor to superintendents throughout the United States. Dr. Peterkin did extensive educational consulting and acted as court-appointed expert in several cities. He also served on the boards of non-profit organizations directed at impacting the education of young people - B.E.L.L. Foundation, National Urban Alliance, TERC (Technical Education Research Centers), and Boston Youth Theater.

Robert S. Peterkin was born and raised in New York City. He was a life-long Yankees fan and jazz enthusiast. He graduated from the State University of New York at Albany and received a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts. While at Albany, he met the love of his life, Louise Bauer. They were married for 56 years until her passing earlier this year.