Peter Rutter ’37

PETER RUTTER, diplomat of the winsome sense of humor and descendant of Thomas Rutter, Pennsylvania's first ironmaster, died Nov. 20, 1989, after a long bout with Alzheimer's disease.

Peter was active in many sports and extracurricular activities at Exeter and majored in history at Princeton, graduating with honors. For four years, Peter taught history and literature at M.I.T., while earning his master's degree in history at Harvard. Then came four years in the Army Medical Dept. in Europe, before he launched a distinguished diplomatic career. Between 1947 and 1968, Peter served in Genoa, Vienna, London, Accra, Bonn, Monrovia, and Washington, D.C., in such positions as vice-consul, third secretary, and first secretary. He was a class secretary's delight, sending long letters and Christmas cards, and always keeping an eye out for classmates. From London, he wrote, "It's a hardship trying to bowl a cricket ball. I did not regale myself in any 'street of sin set up for the delectation of bored young diplomats' since a 15-hour work day isn't conducive to such hanky-panky."

Peter's wife Nancy died in 1983. He leaves three grandchildren and three sons: Jeremy, Stephen, and Matthew. We seed our deepest condolences to Peter's family.

The Class of 1937