Glucksman, Peter

OTT 44 - East

Date of Death: 12/08/2011

From The Gazette 54.

We regret to report the death of Peter Glucksman OT 44 on 12 August 2011 in Nassau, Bahamas.

Peter hadsuffered from Alzheimer’s and diabetes, which he bore stoically to the end. He had been lovingly cared for by this family, all of whom visited him in his last few weeks in Nassau. He was cremated and a memorial service is being arranged.

Peter was born in 1935. His early life was blighted by the dangers of the Holocaust; attendance at Ottershaw School, with its enlightened regime, proved to be a timely antidote. He was a good all-rounder both in the classroom and on the sports field. He was also one of the ‘Pioneers’, being one of the original intake in September 1948. He made the most Obituaries of the wide range of activities on offer. One of these was membership of the Fourth Power, a formidable organisation which had established itself in the Sports Hall, being influential in everything from the issue of sports kit to snared rabbits!

Peter was a clever student, and learning came easily to him. He was an aggressive rugby player, benefiting from being in East House under the tutelage of Mike Campbell Lamerton. He later became a successful player at Gosport Rugby Football Club. He also played for the Ottershaw First Eleven at cricket.

Peter joined the Forestry Commission on leaving Ottershaw and graduated to the Sir Robert McAlpine construction group in the UK and the Bahamas. He then joined the Bahamas Government Ministry of Works, finally moving to Florida in 1986 and retiring at the age of 71. He was always highly appreciative of the education he received at Ottershaw, particularly as regards the support given to him by the Headmaster.

When Mr Foot retired, Peter wrote to him, ‘Perhaps the best I can do is to say how proud I was at having been at Ottershaw, particularly as a Pioneer. Your personal example was a boon to me and, I am sure, many others. Without it my self-respect would have been less, for however we fall short of your ideals, a germ remains that reminds us of what we should and should not do. You created a balanced environment for many children who had never had any experience of such a thing before.’ These perceptive words tell us much about not only the Headmaster but also the author, Peter Glucksman. Sadly, his work commitments and latterly his ill health meant the contacts he was able to maintain with his friends in the UK were limited. When we did finally mange to meet for a lunch, it was as though the years had been stripped away and Glux was his usual quick-witted self. We shall miss those happy days, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
Alan Marsden (OT 34)