many wonderful friends of peter spoke at his memorial service. one of his very closest and most loving friends is beautiful lily ( dr. lily aramli, yale phd. in biology and ct.s innovative woman of the year) . these are some excerpts of what lily had to say about peter: Peter Huybrechts is one of the most amazing and quirkiest of people I have ever had the honor and privilege to know. It took very little time, once I joined the GHAMAS faculty over a decade ago, to discover he was a brilliant and insightful person who cared deeply about teaching and those around him. Peter also had the most amazing sense of humor; his witty insight delighted me and others time and time again. When confronted with unreasonable situations, he brought humor and logic. I learned quite a bit from Peter over the years, he was in truth a consummate teacher, and a great man. When Peter would come to work later than normal, I would worry for him. Keep in mind he was part time and had retired from teaching already, but came back because he loved teaching and working with the fantastic young people of our school. When I would check up on him, he would say that he would have to leave early to make up for being late. Often, he would have difficulty resolving issues with the paper jams in the copier; I later learned he was utilizing the creative incompetence principle, simply to generate sympathy so others,,....... that would be me, would fix the copier for him. I always fell for this, even though he had long ago explained the creative incompetence principle to me. I love the paradox of Peter. I will also never forget the fun times we had at our annual six flags school trip. We would run to, ok, maybe hobble to superman along with many students to get on the ride first. We were thrilled by the roller coaster and truthfully, each time the car made the climb up those tracks we thought we were slightly insane, but we still went on again and again. I don’t think I can ever ride Bizzaro without thinking about Peter. So I promise you Peter, I will always remember you and shout out in your honor as that thrilling descent is made. Peter has been there in my life and many others during the good and the bad; a constant of strength and patience, sprinkled liberally with naughty humor. I am grateful that we became closer as time passed and spent more time outside of work together. I was blessed to become close with his life partner of over forty years, Rob. I saw in them an easy companionship, beautiful and playful banter between two amazing and interesting people and a love that was clearly evident and inspiring. In the past month, I visited Peter in hospital and on those occasions, it was evident that he had great strength of will and a desire for life, though he had found peace with his life and felt love for all of those in his life. He was as you know a well-traveled man, a man who touched the lives of many young people through his instruction, a man well loved by his partner, Rob and his family and his sisters, nieces and family members as well as their many, many friends. He was blessed. I also want to share, that though Peter was in the greatest of pain and was encountering one health obstacle after another, he remained concerned for his students. He had promised a letter of reference to a young man, and he wanted to make sure he received it. With the assistance of an amazing friend and colleague, Matt Milch, Peter had written his last letter of reference and a young man received his letter of reference for college during Peter’s last week of life. I am a better person for having known Peter. I know others are better for having known him. My world has been enriched by having known him, and while life is dimmer to me now, I still know great joy in having been a part of Peter’s life. It’s strange, but I have always felt like I have known Peter; there was an easy comfort and happiness from just being around him. We would often make a shared lunch a little more playful by having, what he called “oo- la-la” water in pink margarita glasses. Cheers Peter. My name is Lili Aramli, I am also Peter’s work wife and I will cherish him forever, and I know in my heart we will see one another again. I love you Peter. Peter was a jewel that once sparkled among us and now he rests in the heavens, shining his light upon all. We feel privileged to have been touched by Peter’s light and our condolences extend to those he loved and those who loved him.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 04:03:10 +0000
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