Peter Sterling

Waynesville, Peter Van Orden Sterling passed away at home on Tuesday, August 30, 2016. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts to Clarence Irving and Edith Van Orden Sterling. Peter was a graduate of Davidson College (NC) and Georgetown University (DC). While in Washington, he served for a time on the staff of US Senator Paul H. Douglas of Illinois, giving him a lifelong zest for politics. Peter always described himself as a history teacher when asked about is occupation, and that he was, at heart, throughout his career. Peter believed deeply that a knowledge of history sustains the vitality of a community; that caring adults can transform the lives of children and that in turn young people can transform the world; and that creative minds of all ages have limitless power when together they tackle important issues. He was, as a dear colleague described him, a "launchpad" of ideas – inspiring young people, talented colleagues and the community to envision and create learning spaces where exploration, engagement and innovation could flourish. Peter served as Chair, History Department at The New Hampton School (NH); Director of Education at Colonial Williamsburg (VA); Executive Director of The USS Constitution Museum (Old Ironsides) (MA); and President and CEO of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Peter consulted around the world, seeking fresh perspectives on ways to bring us all together. He had a particular love of South America where his father and grandfather had worked. In his much loved adopted town of Waynesville, NC Peter continued his life's work, serving on the Waynesville Historic Preservation Commission and developing the Haywood Snapshot Project, a community based program to preserve and share historical photographs. An avid sailor, Peter used a nautical phrase to describe his family and friends – they were his "anchor to windward". He was so proud of his daughters, Melissa and Caroline, and his grandchildren. Peter followed his family's growth and achievements with love and admiration, from scoring soccer goals to speaking Chinese, from playing baseball to playing the piano and from organizing TED talks to leading school government and activist groups. Wherever he lived Peter always relished sitting around a dinner table, a dog at his feet, with dear friends, laughing and debating ideas. These friends buoyed him up during his long battle with Parkinson's Disease. And so together, family, friends and his beloved dog Farley, saw him home at last to a safe harbor. Peter was preceded in death by his parents and elder brother, Clarence Sterling. He is survived by his wife, Lorna; daughter, Melissa Sterling, son-in-law, Vincent Ridley; grandchildren, Elana, Caiden and Zane, of San Francisco; daughter, Caroline Sterling; and grandchildren, Sophia, Oliver and Amelia, of Pittsburgh; and his brother, David Sterling, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and so many dear friends to whom we are deeply grateful. A celebration of Peter's life will be held at a future time. The family invites you to contribute to Friends of the Haywood County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 142, Waynesville, NC 28786 or a charity of your choice in memory of Peter.