Peter V. Wiese ’44

"It's been a great journey," wrote Pete about his life in our 60th reunion book. He died of colon cancer in Fairhope, Ala., Oct. 13, 2004. He was 83.

Born in Bronxville, N.Y., Pete prepped at the old Pawling Boys School, where he was president of his senior class. At Princeton he roomed with Stretch Gardiner for two years, majored in geology, competed in 150-pound football and crew, was a member of the Varsity Club and manager of Elm Club, and graduated in 1943. He married Martha Jane "Marty" Varley, and then served as a first lieutenant and Marine platoon leader in the Pacific.

He reveled in spending 40 years — until he was 75 — in exploration geology across four continents and 30 nations. He was the state geologist for Alabama before spending the rest of his career with Vulcan Materials Co. of Birmingham. He developed Vulcan's Mexican operations, including the only deep-water port in the Yucatan. In retirement, Pete was a founder of a low-cost primary health care facility for Hispanic workers and active on his area's environmental advisory board.

He is survived by Marty, his wife of more than 60 years, son William, and grandson William Varley, to whom we extend our condolences.

The Class of 1944