Deceased March 2, 2021
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In Memory
When Peter died in the hospital on March 2, 2021, after a head injury, Minnesota women’s water sports lost an iconic figure. After playing hockey into his 60s and racing sailboats himself, Peter coached collegiate women’s hockey, taught sailing and sponsored a nationally competitive women’s sailing team. In later life, he was described as the Minnesota Gophers women’s hockey team’s biggest fan.
Peter and twin sister Pam, who later married John Carpenter ’58, were born to Marnie and Frederick Van Dusen in Minneapolis on June 5, 1936. At Amherst, Peter pledged Alpha Delta Phi, majored in American studies, played soccer and co-captained both his freshman and varsity hockey teams.
After Amherst, Peter graduated from Navy OCS in Newport, R.I.; received his commission; served on active duty; and was honorably discharged. He also obtained a commercial pilot’s license.
In our 50th reunion class book, Peter reported “40 years’ experience in sales and management, 20 years of which were spent in the retail grocery business. … I was honored by being elected … into the Who’s Who worldwide registry for leadership and achievement.”
However, water sports—as well, of course, as his children and grandchildren—were Peter’s chief joys. A superb hockey player, expert sailor and past commodore of the Wayzata Yacht Club, Peter assisted the Gophers hockey team in winter and sponsored a senior women’s sailing team, The Hot Flashes, in summer. “Peter Van Dusen won more trophies than he could ever display or store, but more importantly, he was a friend and mentor to many,” one of his protégés wrote. “[He] had the best qualities of a sailor, competitor and human being. He was humble, kind, patient with beginners. He never lost his temper or bullied … [and] shared what he knew about sailing and racing with fulsome generosity.”
Ned Megargee ’58