Peter Otto Langer ’70

A stalwart worker for the class for whom Princeton was a daily presence, Peter died Aug. 15, 2021, while on his daily walk in Burke, Va., enjoying the beauty of nature that inspired much of his life.

He was born in grim circumstances, in Leisnig, then in East Germany, in 1947. Emigrating to the United States, Peter came to us from Forest Hill High School in Palm Beach, Fla. An original member of Stevenson Hall and active in the Trenton Action Project and the Commons crew, Peter wrote his politics-department thesis on water-resource management in the Everglades for Gerry Garvey. His focus as part of the first wave of American environmentalists continued with a master’s from Florida International and positions with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, and the Florida Department of Highways. In retirement, he taught English as a second language and was active in community politics.

Peter worked on Princeton projects for decades, filling multiple functions for the class, Reunions, and Annual Giving, and as a faithful interviewer for the Alumni Schools Committee. Willing to work on tasks large and small, no one in living memory heard Peter say no to a request.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sharon Oakley; son Alexander; daughter Elena Tyng; grandchildren Tristan and Edington; and sisters Ilse and Ingrid and their families. Peter was unfailingly at hand whenever help was needed, and he leaves a huge gap in our ranks.