Deceased February 2, 2018

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In Memory

We are deeply saddened to report the passing of our dear friend and classmate, Dr. Peter N. Reusswig, on Feb. 2, 2018. Pete passed away following a graceful and courageous battle with a rare terminal illness. The sincere condolences of the entire Amherst community are extended to Pete’s dear wife Emy, his two beloved sons Tyler and Blake, his mom Nancy, his brother Dave (and sister-in-law Liz) and sister Cindy (and brother-in-law Guy), his [5] nieces and nephews and his countless friends and professional colleagues. Pete’s father, William “Nort” Reusswig ’56, passed away in 2017.

Following graduation from Amherst, “Wig” attended medical school at New York Medical College, before serving as a doctor in the U.S. Navy. He was the founder of one of the leading anesthesiology practices in the Denver area, and at the time of his passing was one of the most widely respected and successful pain management practitioners in the United States. One of Pete’s former professional colleagues perhaps best summed up the high esteem in which the medical community held Pete by remarking that “there are a lot of good doctors out there, who are technically excellent and do a great job; but Pete stood apart. And what made him truly exceptional was that he cared for his patients perhaps more than any doctor I know.”

Simply put, from the time we were so fortunate to meet him as first-years at Amherst, Wig’s energy, enthusiasm and zest for life made him a leader, and someone whom everyone he met wanted to be around. Pete rowed on the crew team, sang in the Glee Club, was a leader at Chi Psi and throughout his too-brief but full life pursued his passion for playing the drums, frequently playing in a top-notch band during his Amherst days (always drawing a great crowd) and continuing for his entire life, including frequent appearances during reunion weekends. Pete loved to travel adventurously with his friends and family, and was also an avid skier, frequently skiing with his family and hosting his friends at his beloved family retreat in Vail.

We miss Wig intensely. But more than anything, we are blessed to have had him in our lives.

Bruce Chesebrough ’82, Brian Furbish ’82, Monty Cleworth ’82, Paul Theiss ’82 and David Cohen ’82