Peter Grieves Huenink (1944 – 2022)

 

Celebration of Life, November 11

The Class received news of Peter's death on July 24. The Celebration of Life was held November 11 at the Vassar College Alumni House, 161 College Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.

Nassau Herald Profile

From the 10th Reunion Book

Memories and Tributes

Peter was a Professor of Art at Vassar College. 

 

David and Barbara ("BJ") had two children, David and Lindsy Huenink McCormick.

 

Mike Witte writes:

"The news is really SAD. Pete was just a lovely human and the poster man for the transformative benefits of education. He had been a hurdler at a Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin high school and likely was admitted to Princeton because of his athletic skill. Unfortunately, he blew his knee out at some point and found himself somewhat naive and adrift in the Princeton environment (even more so than myself!). But he took a PU Art History course and became so inspired that he wound up a widely-traveled, intellectually-sophisticated Professor of European Architecture at Vassar. Long way from Sheboygan!
 
"I just Googled him and found ... a touching account of how his teaching inspired one of HIS students in a transformational way.
 
"I will greatly miss my former roomie!"

 

John McDonough remembers:

"Peter was a great guy. We both lived in the first entry of Holder freshman year. I was living with Tom Hughey, Mike Barrett, and Bruce Leslie. Peter lived upstairs. I know he was good friends with Bill Leahy and Bill Kelley and others, but I don't remember the specific roommates.

 
"The photo I sent you from his wedding day was at the Princeton Inn, where he and Barbara had their reception.
 
"My favorite story from campus days was when Bill Leahy and I went to the bratwurst festival with Peter in his hometown of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It was a typical wonderful small town festival, where we cheered for and they crowned "Miss Brat." Not the best title ever but we had a wonderful time."

 

Bill "Roller" Leahy remembers the bratwurst festival as well: "John and I spoke several days ago, I remember the trip to Wisconsin and Pete's pride in leading us through a quintessential small Midwestern tradition. I do not recall seeing Pete since graduation. He was always curious, gracious to all he encountered...I suspect he was a treasure for Vassar and students over the decades."

 

Bill Kelley describes the origins of Peter's career as an art historian:

"Peter was one of 10 roommates at Princeton living in Holder and 1937 Hall: Boetcher, Jim Holman, Tureen, Witte, Steube, Haarlow, O’Dell, and Kelley. Dawson joined the group senior year. Peter is remembered as being proud and boisterous about his Sheybogan, WI roots, particularly his beloved Green Bay football team. We roomies had to endure his antics every weekend in the fall, several times a day, with Peter yelling at the top of his voice:  The PACKERS Baby!'
 
"When Peter arrived at Princeton I doubt he had any idea he’d become an art professor at Vassar. He told this story on himself —. Just before finals in an art history class (perhaps his first) as the prof was distributing graded term papers he singled out 'Mr. Huenink' in front of the entire class. Peter was mortified. He thought he was toast. He must have really blown the term paper. Instead the prof announced: 'Mr. Huenink’s paper is so exceptional he will not be required to take the final exam.' No doubt this was the beginning of Peter’s remarkable career in art history.
 
"We are deeply saddened at Peter’s passing. I understand he had battled a serious illness for several years. Rest in peace Peter. Go Packers!"

 

Jim Holman writes:

"It was my privilege to room with Peter Huenink sophomore year with a great bunch of guys in Holder Hall.
 
"Four wonderful memories come to mind when I think of Pete. 
 
"He was a fanatic Packers fan (but I'm being redundant), and they were in the midst of the great Lombardi years. but in 1963, the Bears beat the Packers twice and went on to win the NFL title against the Giants (which i attended). Oh, the joy of watching Pete in packer misery!
 
"Although Pete became a distinguished professor of art history, one day he was critical of Piet Mondrian's "simple" paintings, which he said "anyone" could do. I bet him he couldn't. Oh, the pleasure of Pete doing a "mondrian" using NOT primary colors!
 
"One evening we decided Pete was holed up too much in his room, and we constructed a "wall" of boards completely covering his doorway. Oh, the fun of watching Pete crash into that wall when he tried to leave his room.
 
"Finally, evening entertainment always included a game of hearts. The playing of the "bitch" (the queen of hearts) was always preceded by holding her high and circling like an airplane, with audio accompaniment. Oh, the satisfaction of throwing the bitch down on Pete!
 
"He was a funny, caring, gentle man. we miss him."