Peter Chandler Kreidler
September 28, 1943 - August 22, 2021
“He plants trees which will be of use to another age”
Roman poet Caecilius Statius (219-168 BCE)
“Blessed is he who plants trees under whose shade he will never sit.”
Indian Proverb (1868)
As a teacher with a strong passion for history and as a lifelong learner with a strong connection to nature, these quotes capture the immense compassion, service, integrity, determination, and love that Peter lived during his time on this earth. Peter, out of his deep sense of humility, would brush off words of commendation with a sly smirk. It is essential, however, that we pause, reflect, and name the profound influence that Peter had on our lives and the lives of many others near and far.
Compassion and service were prominent threads woven throughout Peter’s impressive teaching career. Former students shared these comments about Peter upon learning about his death:
“He was a very impactful teacher and he challenged me to be myself. His goofy nature and ability to make you feel at ease, were things that stuck with me through my adult journey.”
“He brought so much knowledge, humor, joy, and energy to teaching and shaping the minds of his students. He's one of the reasons I try to have fun in the workplace, knowing that it's okay to inject your own positive personality into the job.”
“I can honestly say Mr. Kreidler contributed to my love of social studies, politics and culture. A few years ago I decided to become an educator and I am certain that Mr. Kreidler played role in my decision. He left positive ripples in the pond of the world.”
Peter compassionately planted not only knowledge for future generations but also inspired hope, confidence, joy, and curiosity among his students who carry now these values into their adult lives and no doubt will convey them to their children. His teaching legacy remains vibrant and alive rippling forward into the future.
Integrity and determination were woven through my time with Peter and Robin as their hospice chaplain. I was impressed by Peter’s integrity since the first day we met around their dining table. Peter was dedicated and determined to die the way he lived guided by his ethical principles of what is right, true, and just. The questions that Peter and Robin asked unfolded a path for each visit and their desire to learn as well as their self-awareness and self-reflection illuminated that path. Even in his declining health Peter joined Robin in their shared advocacy of the Black Lives Matter movement in their community. Even in his last months of life, Peter summoned the clarity, energy, and courage to publicly speak out against the structural obstacles to access the Death with Dignity option of healthcare. Peter was determined to ensure that the journey of dying was easier for others through his learning and experience: he was a mentor, advocate, and cultivator to the very end.
And now love. Let me first share that Peter spoke of a deep love and commitment through his marriage to Robin which he said sustained him through the hills and valleys of his life and illness. Peter and Robin embraced and lived their vows of 51 years to be loving partners for better or worse.
And together Peter and Robin welcomed me to my last visit at Peter’s bedside. I asked him what word and image he would like to be remembered by at his memorial service. Peter was very clear in his response and both his word and image encapsulate a deeply reflective and self-giving love.
The word that Peter wants you to remember is “essence”. The essence of who Peter is and was remained constant throughout his journey towards home to life eternal. His compassion, service, integrity, and determination were unwavering to the very end despite the decline in his health, the confusion and pain that occasionally intruded, the fatigue that became his constant companion, and the limitations of social interactions and physical mobility. The essence of who Peter is and was remained strong and vibrant. We talked about that essence … that core spirit of identity and self … as being eternal and continuing beyond physical death. Peter is and was much more than the physical body, as are you dear family and friends. And Peter’s essence and your essence is one of pure, eternal and sacred love well beyond the regrets, shortcomings, wounds, and limitations of our brief time in this world. Love prevails.
Peter’s image for you is “trees”. As many of you know, Peter and Robin’s property is gifted with tall trees and they walked among the trees with sacred reverence. Their shared and fulfilled desire was for Peter to die peacefully at home surrounded by these trees and by loved ones. In my last visit, Peter imagined his life as a nursing log. That is, when a dead tree falls to the forest floor, it becomes a garden bed for new life oftentimes containing five times more living matter than when it was growing upright. Peter hoped that something new and abundant within and through you could grow from his learning and legacy. A nursing log is a final gift of love bequeathed to others for their enhanced wellbeing: this was Peter’s heartfelt desire.
Let me end with a quote by Henri Nouwen:
“Every time we make the decision to love someone, we open ourselves to great suffering, because those we most love cause us not only great joy but also great pain. The greatest pain comes from leaving. Still, if we want to avoid the suffering of leaving, we will never experience the joy of loving. And love is stronger than fear, life stronger than death, hope stronger than despair.”
Through your grief may a resilient love continue to arise, and may you celebrate Peter’s life holding the lessons and wisdom he shared with you close to your heart and sharing them compassionately with others through your hands. May you plant literal and metaphorical trees as Peter did in his life and receive deep peace knowing that the legacy you leave will nurture wellbeing and hope for others.
Blessings –
Rev. Eileen Burdick